In the wake of Gov. Paterson’s budget-slashing plan to close 41 state parks and 14 historic sites, a number of local people have vented their feelings.
A sampling of the reaction via my e-mails, phone calls and even standard mail:
n “Will they still cut the grass? Or will they wait until spring and decide to let it grow more because they can’t afford to hire seasonal help?( Answer: No, the grass will probably not be cut.)
• “I suppose this means they’ll hang a sign on the barricade at the (park) entrance: ‘Welcome Vandals.’ ”
• “Who’s saving money here? If the state parks closes Wilson-Tuscarora State Park, will the Town of Wilson residents end up paying to keep it open?”
• “The (state) parks are among the few affordable places for families that can’t afford to travel far on their vacation. Now they’re taking that away too.”
• “Will they still let us play disc golf there?” (at Joseph Davis State Park, Lewiston). (Still to be determined.)
Paul Stephens of Grand Island, a veteran disc golfer, said the Niagara Region Disc Golf Club has invested nearly $20,000 in the courses at Joseph Davis and Wilson-Tuscarora. When the weather is favorable, hundreds of people are out on the courses every week, Stephens added.
Even a number of state lawmakers — now more vulnerable to sharp criticism from their own constituents — are questioning Paterson’s park closing strategy.
“Vandalism could indeed be a problem,” said Assemblyman Steven Englebright, D-East Setauket, chair of the Committee on Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development. The legislator raised that concern during a cable TV interview earlier in the week.
At a recent press conference, Englebright added: “New York State has never closed a park, not even in the depths of the Great Depression, since Niagara Falls State Park — which could see cutbacks in its programming if the cuts are allowed to stand — became the first state park in the nation in 1885.
The lawmaker noted that parks on the governor’s hit list for closure affect every region of the state, from Orient Beach State Park at the tip of Long Island to Wilson-Tuscarora State Park in Niagara County.”
Meanwhile, Assemblywoman Francine DelMonte, D-Niagara Falls, remains optimistic the overall issue might be resolved soon, if a proposal can be worked out with state Parks Commissioner Carol Ash.
DelMonte said she is organizing a rally — for supporters to keep the parks open — at 2 p.m. Saturday at Wilson-Tuscarora State Park.
Late Wednesday, just before a session with Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch, DelMonte said money to keep the parks open might be secured through the State Park Infrastructure Fund, the primary source of funding for the statewide agency’s capital projects.
•••
END OF AN ERA: The Niagara Falls, Ont., Memorial Arena, home to scores of Ontario Hockey league stars who moved up to the NHL, will be demolished later this year.
The arena off Centre Street, which opened Jan. 25, 1950, will be replaced by the new Gale Centre, Thorold Stone Road, for the start of next season.
In the 1960s, when the Niagara Falls Flyers (OHL) were owned by the Boston Bruins, the arena action featured such talented players as Bobby Orr, Derek Sanderson and Steve Larmer. Later a team known as The Thunder also played in the arena until the franchise was moved to Erie, Pa.
•••
HELPING HANDS DEPT.: If you’re planning to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the Niagara Falls Conference Center (5-10 p.m. March 17), remember that the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Ladies AOH will collect non-perishable food items at the door. All the donations will be given to the Heart & Soul Food Pantry, Ontario Avenue, Niagara Falls.
Columns
Related Photos
GLYNN: Closed state parks could lead to vandalism
A Line or Two
- Columns
-
-
HAMILTON: Dandelions, parades, broken poles and people
There are still those remnants of the fading bouquets of floral tributes that still hang at that base of a tree on city hall’s lawn. It is near where, last year, from his shiny silvery cart, Melvin Johnson sold hot dogs and sausages to both city employees and passerbys while his tiny white dog excitingly yelped at anyone that came near.
- No Headline Provided
-
GLYNN: Gillibrand seeks help for prime bread-winners
A recent report shows that working mothers across the Empire State earn nearly 15 percent lower pay for the same work as men.
-
BRADBERRY: There really are spirits in the water
Over the centuries since it was “discovered” hundreds of millions of people have traveled from every corner of the world to visit Niagara Falls making it the most visited of the great waterfalls on the planet.
-
CONFER: The reality of rationed health care
The ongoing debate over Obamacare has brought to light the concept of rationed healthcare. Opponents of health care reform keenly point out that while the bill never explicitly calls out rationing, it features certain provisions that will lead the markets to adjust to strict federal demands and, therefore, dispense certain procedures in smaller amounts or not at all. Because of it being the first time that the subject has really come up in public circles, most people, especially on the right, believe that rationing is something new. It’s not. The free markets have been practicing that for quite some time. I should know; with a 4-inch long, 1-inch wide scar running south of my belly button – and a couple of related scars around my groin – I could be the poster child for rationed health care.
-
CITY DESK: A regrettable error
We owe Carol Sensabough an apology.
Several weeks ago, the long-time reader and Niagara Falls resident sent a letter to the editor explaining that she took offense to some of the things written by a syndicated columnist, Stephen Dick. -
HIGGS: Niagara Falls' own West Side story
Trusello’s Bakery was on Elmwood behind the family home at 840 19th St. The family, Richard, William (Billy) and Sam along with two sisters, lived in the house.
-
GLYNN: Falls, Ont., rolls out red carpet for Wallenda
Before Nik Wallenda even started practicing his high-wire routine in downtown Niagara Falls, state Sen.George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane, had noted the warm welcome the tightrope walker received across the river.
-
HAMILTON: Civic ‘ParticipAction’ can work too
Back in the 1970s, our Neighbors to the North ran a national campaign called ParticipAction to encourage Canadians to get off their butts and do things for the sakes of their bodies.
-
GLYNN: Graduates find they’re in staggering debt
Countless senior citizens often gripe about something, sometimes even with good reason. Perhaps they should consider themselves fortunate, compared with the younger generation.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Chicago U.S. Attorney Fitzgerald Resigns
Neighbors of Etan Patz's Suspect: It's Shocking
Search Intensifies for Missing Louisiana Woman
Bloomberg: Man Implicates Self in Etan Patz Case
NYPD: Person Implicated in Etan Patz Death
Raw Video: Fire on Nuke-powered Sub in Maine
Illegal Burn Suspected in Nevada Fire
Obama: 'We've Got More Work to Do'
Astrologers Predict Outcome of Presidential Race
Gulf Fishermen Reel From Seafood Troubles
Stuntman Makes Skydive Without Parachute in UK
FAMU Bandmates: Victim Volunteered to Be Hazed
Raw Video: Bride Who Faked Cancer Released
Raw Video: Tornado Appears During Wedding
Raw Video: Passed Out Man Robbed
Inquiry Hears Wider Secret Service Misbehavior
HP to Cut 27,000 Jobs, Save Up to $3.5B
