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4 . BEACON NEWSPAPER, February 2 5 ,2010 There’s still a little chill in the air, but can spring be far behind? Photo by Cliff De Bear Writer: Contact state lawmakers to protect Long Island’s parks and beaches Dear Editor: [ T O R I À L : W e st B a b y lon: h it h a rd , but figh tin g b a c k w ith class Som etim es bad things happen, and while we like to understand why, and figure out how we can make sure they don’t happen again, that is not always possible. Som etim es bad things just happen. Such is the case with the devastating fire that leveled the South Bay Elem entary School in West Babylon. A cause o f the blaze is still under re view and even i f we find out why and how the fire started, it may n o t provide us with an answer that can bring us enough rest and assurances. Now is the time, instead to focus on how to move forward and to recognize our blessings. First, no one was seriously injured in the blaze. Second, we have a com m u n ity that has shown its ability and willingness to rise from the ashes, ad dress the problem and find short and long-range solutions. The com m u n ity and the district recognized it’s educational p riority quickly. It wanted to keep the students together to m aintain the integrity o f the South Bay family. It wanted to get students back to school as quickly and possible and it wanted them to be in an environm ent that was com fort able and would promote education. It was able to accom p lish that by partnering with O u r Lady o f Grace R.C. Church and now the South Bay students are being housed in a clean, bright and educationally conducive atmosphere. That was accom p lished by having everyone, including church officials, school adm inistrators and staff and parents, rolling up their sleeves and getting the jo b done. To ease the strain and-fill those classrooms, donations have been pouring in and its likely that school for South Bay’s students is or will be right on track quickly. The com m u n ity has endured a hardship and a tragedy. M any stu dents’ records are likely gone and it is going to take a lot o f work to find the long-term solutions. But it has got ten off to a good start— one everyone can be proud o f—and we congratu late them. The Blue and Gold pride is flying high. R e a p e r s ' V o i c e s : Letters and Commentary Albany is playing games again, and it looks like those of us who enjoy our State Parks might be the losers! The Governor’s 2010-2011 Budget calls for a 20 percent cut in the amount allotted for State Parks. What that rtieahs is that programs are going to be cut, and many State Parks - including Heckscher, Valley Stream, Hempstead Lake and others here on Long Island -may be closed, and dramatic cuts in hours and available services will be made at Connetquot and even at Jones Beach and Bethpage. Both environmental programs and recreational programs such as the State Parks Summer Run Series and State Parks Winter Run Series apparently could be on the chopping block. Compounding the problem is that none of the bureaucrats intheGovernor’sofficeseemtobewillingto givethepublicanyfirmofficialwordastowhatisplanned. Over the past two years, the State Parks system has lost more than 850 permanent and seasonal staff, and equipment, maintenance and other operational areas have suffered equivalently. Whatever “fat” was in the operating budget has long since disappeared, and what’s being discussed now will seriously impact the heart and soul of our parks. Leaving aside the direct and immediate interest of Long Island runners and walkers in preserving and maintaining our beleaguered State Parks system. I understand that more that $400 Million in economic activity and nearly 4,000 jobs in the private sector are tied into the State Parks programs on Long Island alone, and our State Parks generate $5 for the local economy for every $1 invested in them. In short, drastic cuts in the State Parks budget is bad economics as well as bad politics. It is very important that each one of us contact our representatives in the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly. Regardless of what the Governor has proposed, no cuts can be made unless these legislators agree. If you care about State Parks on Long island, if you care about environmental and recreational programs, please contact your State Assembly member and your State Senator, and let them know in very strong terms that the proposed cuts to State Parks are not acceptable, and that your vote in November will be determined by their vote on the proposed cut to the State Parks budget. Tell them that no State budget is acceptable that will result in parks being closed or the State Parks environmental or recreational programs being eliminated. The squeaky wheel very much gets the grease, and it’s up to all of us to become one very big and very squeaky wheel! Petitions are fine, but nothing is as effective as individually composed and sent letters or emails! If you don’t know who your State Assembly member or State Senator is, and/or if you don’t know how to contact them, just go to aSsembly.state.ny.us/mem/ and nysenate.gov To find out. Time is short and the situation has never been this dire. See you on the roads, the trails, the track, and (maybe) at the State Parks! Mike Polansky, President \ Greater Long Island Running Club Right project , wrong time for new Fountain in Babylon Dear Editor: I was recently speaking to a friend who is involved with the Babylon Lions Club and he informed me that the Fountain committee is approaching local organizations to help raise the $130,000 necessary to pay for the replica of a water fountain once located On Main St. and Fire Island Ave. I was told Legislator Wayne Horsely was able to secure a County grant for $50,000 and another $80,000 was needed to be raised by the committee. While I applaud the intentions of the committee I have to question the timing and funding of the project. We are in the midst of an economic climate where families have seen their savings diminished, jobs lost, with no dear end in sight. Federal, State and local governments have had to slash budgets to meet mounting deficits. These cuts have already affected our local organizations, the same organizations that support many of those families in need. Yet, here we are looking to spend approximately $130,000, fifty of which comes from the taxpayers, on a project which I can only describe at this time as frivolous. Couldn’t our legislator, the entire legislature for that matter, find a more worthy cause in our community for those county dollars? As to the committee, many o f you know me and the time I’ve spent with the Beautification Society and other groups. I’d be happy to help when times are better but right now I feel efforts to raise money should be directed to those families in need. Bob Pflaum, Babylon B E A C O N N E W S P A P E R S Postage Paid - Babylon P o tt Office. Babylon. N Y 11702 (USPS0396-8000) Copyright 1990 CJ PUBLISHERS, INC. “THE PAPER THAT WORKS\ A combination of newspapers and editions covering Babylon, Lindenhurst, C opiaflut. 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