HOT TOPIC -- What are your views on the proposed sports facilities in Rochester?
Good question. I ask my constituents this every chance I get. It’s important to know what they want and expect.
The PB has published numerous articles on the value of sports to the local area economy. “Ice time is nice time” , “Plenty of company coming to Rochester in ’06, ‘07” on Nov. 28th; “Sports bring dollars” around the same time. “Athletes bring big bucks to the city.” on January 24th and even an editorial comment "Consider your tax dollars as an investment in the community".
The articles talk about the value to the local economy and especially to the hospitality business, our third largest employer. This IS important but is it our taxpayer’s responsibility to see that this industry or our local economy thrives at their expense? That’s the real question.
So we get taxes that might not otherwise be there. So these businesses are successful and, seeing that, other businesses establish themselves in our community. What’s this mean to you and me?
Jobs for one thing -- yours, your kids, grandkids, your friends, your neighbors. Certainly jobs that are filled by residents learning the language and attempting to assimilate into our society instead of being on the dole.
Let’s also consider the savings in time and dollars to the parents who might stay in town rather than travel elsewhere – if there were such facilities locally. Let’s consider parent’s savings in time and energy not having to haul youngsters to practice arenas at 4:30 in the morning because of the lack of facilities at more reasonable times of the day.
What about giving the kids something to do? You don’t hear the “I don’t have anything to do” complaint from kids actively engaged in school activities, especially sports. “Kids on ice don’t get into hot water.” I’ve been told.
Finally, let’s take a look at where the request for support of the proposed facilities is coming from. They’re not originating from myself or any of the other council members. Nope.
The plea for help and support comes from our taxpayers themselves -- those who recognize the need, those who are willing to collaborate and fund the needed facilities or a majority portion of it, those who are concerned about the present and future viability of our community . They are parents, grandparents, the business community. Being responsible representatives of the people, I and the others on the council feel at least obligated to look long and hard at these requests.
And so we do.
Bob Nowicki
The PB has published numerous articles on the value of sports to the local area economy. “Ice time is nice time” , “Plenty of company coming to Rochester in ’06, ‘07” on Nov. 28th; “Sports bring dollars” around the same time. “Athletes bring big bucks to the city.” on January 24th and even an editorial comment "Consider your tax dollars as an investment in the community".
The articles talk about the value to the local economy and especially to the hospitality business, our third largest employer. This IS important but is it our taxpayer’s responsibility to see that this industry or our local economy thrives at their expense? That’s the real question.
So we get taxes that might not otherwise be there. So these businesses are successful and, seeing that, other businesses establish themselves in our community. What’s this mean to you and me?
Jobs for one thing -- yours, your kids, grandkids, your friends, your neighbors. Certainly jobs that are filled by residents learning the language and attempting to assimilate into our society instead of being on the dole.
Let’s also consider the savings in time and dollars to the parents who might stay in town rather than travel elsewhere – if there were such facilities locally. Let’s consider parent’s savings in time and energy not having to haul youngsters to practice arenas at 4:30 in the morning because of the lack of facilities at more reasonable times of the day.
What about giving the kids something to do? You don’t hear the “I don’t have anything to do” complaint from kids actively engaged in school activities, especially sports. “Kids on ice don’t get into hot water.” I’ve been told.
Finally, let’s take a look at where the request for support of the proposed facilities is coming from. They’re not originating from myself or any of the other council members. Nope.
The plea for help and support comes from our taxpayers themselves -- those who recognize the need, those who are willing to collaborate and fund the needed facilities or a majority portion of it, those who are concerned about the present and future viability of our community . They are parents, grandparents, the business community. Being responsible representatives of the people, I and the others on the council feel at least obligated to look long and hard at these requests.
And so we do.
Bob Nowicki
posted by Bob Nowicki | 12:35 PM
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