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Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Doggies step closer to getting LP park

Updated at 10:15 am ...

Dog lovers are celebrating today in Lower Paxton Twp. Click the headline above to find out why, and check the comments for BB's take.
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Other backyard news ...

* Police plead for owners to lock cars.

* CD school board forms finance committee; Malesic and McShane cry the blues over not getting picked to sit on panel.

* A reliable source says LP supervisors were given the lowdown Tuesday night on a $63,000 high-tech package that would somehow automatically keep tabs on the condition of township roads. Developing story ...

* Mount Hill Tavern is now open at 2120 Colonial Road, which is near the intersection of Linglestown and Colonial roads. Sounds intriguing. (Source: Q-Tip)

Labels: business, local news, restaurants

11 Comments:

At 11:35 AM, Bill Bostic said...: Tax dollars, dog park bad match

The idea that tax dollars are about to be used to give dog lovers a place to hang out makes me see red.

Hey, I have no problem with the “concept” of a dog park – my family cares for two four-legged friends and I love them to death. I walk Buddy around the park so he can check out the neighborhood and mingle with other dogs on similar outings

But Gazette readers, please take a second to realize that a public dog park is a clear-cut luxury item, not a necessity. Sure, backers of the dog park want to hit up the state for $10,000. Oh I see … it’s OK to use taxes paid by citizens from across our great commonwealth to help LP get a doggie playground. Heck, out state government claims it can't afford to pay lifeguards at state parks – there's clearly no money in Harrisburg for a dog park. And, I know other towns have them, but that doesn't make it a good idea.

Here’s my bottom line: If you want a dog park in LP, form a group and fund it with private dollars. Hey, if it’s near my residence, I might fork out a few dollars to join. Otherwise, add one more thing that grows the size of government in our nation.
At 11:55 AM, Anonymous said...: Why not? My taxes go to pay for the pool in Koon's Park that I don't use, my taxes maintain all the parks in the township that I don't use, they build sports arena's that I have no interest in, so why not pay for a dog park? At least that's something I might use.
I agree with you that our taxes go toward too many frivolous things, but they do so why shouldn't I get some benefit from my share?
Mike
At 4:36 PM, PladicratParty said...: I am really sick and tired of Malesic and McShane. These two guys are simply looking to increase their power, as if they're really good for the school district.

They ran Dr. Scola out, and now they're looking to challenge the power of the board president. It's ridiculous, and with this latest complaint, people should be really calling for their oust and be paying attention to what's going on.

I have the feeling that should either one of them become board president, this will be a very bad thing for this school district. We'll return to the days of when Barbara Hassan was superintendent, and, being a student in the school district during that era, was a darker time for Central Dauphin. While the sports teams were successful, the rest of the school was falling apart - quite literally (i.e. the school auditorium roof).

I'm concerned that the same thing will happen again once McShane and Malesic become much more powerful on the school board. They seem to be interested in cutting funding for programs of use - such as smart classrooms and the like - because they feel that such technological educational advances are not necessary, yet continue to finance the football program and other sports because that's the moneymaker.

When I went to Central Dauphin, books were old and falling apart, they were new, cheap and falling apart. I don't want that to happen again.

I want to add that I'm all for the sports programs and I don't want them to get hurt, but a school exists to teach students information, and for students to learn such information. What we can do to advance such learning is in the best interest of the school district and the community. And if you don't think that this kind of technology is appropriate for the classroom, fine. But don't make cuts to that, and not cut the sports. We should be working to increase funding to curricular activities, not extracurriculars. Only when we have the capability to increase both should we do both.
At 6:18 PM, Bill Bostic said...: For the record, Koons Park received no township tax dollars this year. The pool organization did receive township grants in the past.
At 6:55 AM, Anonymous said...: It sounds like harry and I went to CD during the same time frame. I was class of 2000 and I remember the politics under Hassan's rule. She would come inside the old CDSD and it seemed as if education ceased and school district politics ruled.

I can't go into specifics, but I remember teachers desperately wanting to avoid both the high school's and district's administrations.

I also agree that McShane and Malesic should allow qualified individuals to take seats on the finance committee. Bravo for coming up with the idea and pushing for it (12 meetings), but don't have a fit when you're not chosen for the committee. Now if you were qualified, that would be another matter.

On the topic of the dog park, if the state/township decides to donate money, I'm sorry that's a complete waste when volunteer fire companies need the money more.

On a related note to both stories, Mr. Dumaresq is doing a lot of work in trying to secure the dog park. I remember when his wife, Dr. Carolyn Dumaresq (former CDSD superintendent) pulled over to the side of the road to help me free my shoelace from my bicycle. It had gotten stuck in the chain and it forced me to the gravel and Dr. Dumaresq pulled over to help me. I'll always remember her kindness.

Rob Nease
HarrisburgatHome.com
At 9:14 AM, Bill Bostic said...: If you agree with me that using tax dollars to fund a public dog park is an inappropriate use of tax dollars, please join me in writing, calling or e-mailing state Rep. Ron Marsico to get on record as opposing the requested state grant:

E-mail: rmarsico@pahousegop.com

District Office
4401 Linglestown Road, Suite B
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 717-652-3721
Fax: 717-652-6276
Hours: M-F 9:00 - 4:30
At 4:22 PM, Anonymous said...: So BB, you have no problem with tax dollars funding the skate park, or isn't there enough room on your soap box to gripe on that?
Mike
At 5:10 PM, Kim said...: I'll put my two cents in on behalf of the skate park. The skaters in this area really have no place to skate. If you haven't noticed all the "no skateboards, etc." signs, they are everywhere. We have parks for football, soccer, baseball/softball, but nothing for the kids who aren't in that mold. My kids don't skateboard, but I know several who do. They are good kids and I'd like to see our township provide a place for them and their sport.
At 8:48 PM, Bill Bostic said...: Mike, thanks for posting your comment.

Planning for the skate park has not been completed yet. Unlike the dog park, the skate park is what I refer to as a "developing story," so it's too early to weigh in on this park project.

I'm not totally up to speed on the funding mix for the proposed skate park, but I do know they are seeking corporate sponsors and contributions from residents.
At 2:47 PM, Anonymous said...: By following the link in your blog BB I discovered the following on the skate park. The land is donated by the township, the construction is done by the township, and the maintenance is done by the township. In addition, all monies received as donations will be matched by the township.
In comparison the dog park is a bargain.
Thanks,
Mike
At 9:02 PM, Bill Bostic said...: Thanks for the info about the skate park, Mike. I'll add it to my list of things to investigate.

I stand by my contention that using state government dollars to back a dog park is bad public policy – it would be better for the park to be funded by private dollars, and if tax dollars are for some reason deemed to be necessary, I'd like to see the money come from LP's budget.

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Linglestown Gazette

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Doggies step closer to getting LP park

11 Comments:

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