State's plan for pools, beaches makes waves
Fees and hours could change because of New York's budget problems
By DENNIS YUSKO, Staff writer
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First published: Friday, January 16, 2009
SARATOGA SPRINGS — The state is considering changing fees and schedules for all pools and beaches at Capital Region state parks due to budget shortfalls, a regional director said Thursday.
Under a tentative plan, the state would increase fees at the Victoria Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park by $2 per day for adults and close the park's Peerless Pool two days a week this summer, said Alane Ball Chinian, regional director for the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. She made the comments after Saratoga Springs resident Louise Goldstein obtained a copy of the Spa park's 2009 fee schedule.
Swimming operations also could be revised at Moreau, Grafton, Thacher and Thompson Lake state parks under budget cuts, Chinian said.
"The budget isn't near complete," Chinian said. "We're not sure what we're working with yet, so when we know, we'll make those decisions."
Goldstein, a city resident, has fought for improvements and more seasonal swimming days at the outdoor Victoria Pool.
The 2009 fee schedule for pools at the park shows admission for Victoria Pool would rise 25 percent for adults and children. Entry fees would be $8 for adults and $4 for children; the Peerless Pool would close Mondays and Tuesdays. The pools used to open on Memorial Day, but recently have opened later. Both pools will be open June 27 to Sept. 7 this year, according to the state. That, and potential changes to the pools, are unacceptable, Goldstein said.
"We're upset and we intend on protesting," said Goldstein. "Contrary to public opinion, everybody in Saratoga is not rich enough to have their own swimming pool."
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28 comments:
"We're upset and we intend on protesting," said Goldstein. "Contrary to public opinion, everybody in Saratoga is not rich enough to have their own swimming pool."
Bravo, once again you have lived up to your reputation. You are the champs when it comes to ridiculous comments and this one is a welcomed addition to the bunch!
yes not everyone can afford pools in saratoga, but everyone can afford to go to them even at $8
A fellow stopped At the State Park. He stood by his car and he watched a couple of men working along the Ave Of Pines.
He saw one State Park worker dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. Then other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was 25 feet behind filling in the old.
The men worked right past the fellow
“I can’t stand this,” said the man
“Hold it, hold it,” he said to the men. “Can you tell me what’s going on here with this digging?”
“Well, we work for the Parks” one of the men said.
“But one of you is digging a hole and the other fills it up. You’re not accomplishing anything. Aren’t you wasting the taxpayers’ money?”
“You don’t understand, mister,” one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. “Normally there are three of us: me, Rodney, and Mike. I dig the hole, Rodney sticks in the tree, and Mike here puts the dirt back.
Now just because Rodney’s got laid off in the state budget crisis that doesn’t mean that Mike and I can’t work.”
Patterson to appoint Pool CZAR.
Governor Patterson will appoint a blue panel committee with a Pool CZAR as its chairman. There budget will be the range of 5 million and they will be given the task of finding ways to close or shut done state pools. The group hopes to save the state up to 10,000 dollars. Patterson hoped he could find qualified people who really hate children and are rich enough to have their own pools.
That is a terrible thing to say about public employees. I always witness friendly hardworking employees, they are very intelligent and the joke or story is not appropriate to publish on such a public blog. You should be ashamed of yourself for publishing this ignorant comment and the commenter should also think about the things they write..
Sarcasm is an important tool to keep state employees honest. The good and hard working employees of the state should not be embarrassed by a little sarcasm they should be embarrassed by some of there incompetent and lazy coworkers who give them all a bad name.
Sounds like a true story to me.
The authors of this blog can not help what appears on their page because they do not possess the knowledge needed to determine what is fact and what is fiction. They are so misinformed and so uninformed with the facts. Their decision to make statement after statement without learning the facts first only makes them look foolish and their agenda laughable. And even after someone tries to education them they still choose to ignore the truth. The definition of ignorance is simply "not knowing" or "doesn't know." They certainly qualify. It is mind boggling that they are surprised to see an increase in price given that everything is increasing in this country. Also, that same old song about opening on Memorial Day needs to stop...it hasn't opened on Memorial Day in quite a while now...so the alleged tradition is gone.
-Ben Maxwell, Saratoga Springs.
The only thing laughable is this pathetic corrupt system of patronage job placement we call the New York State Government. I am embarrassed by its incompetence and inability to even the most simple task like keeping a pool open three months.
Not opening a pool on a specific date because it would be a stupid thing to do and being too incompetent to keep a pool open for three months are two different things. The laughable part is that an issue is being made out of the price increase of $2. You got an awful lot for the $6. But there is no convincing those who are delusional enough to think that there should be no fees at all.
We all pay for the new york state parks with our taxes and there should be no other fees. Many NYS residents have lost their jobs, are retired on fixed incomes, or are poor children who need an adult to come with them. $2 can be a big increase to those who need to prioritize food, shelter and medicines. Don't they deserve a place to recreate also? There is no public NYS pool within 100miles. Thatcher Park pool will never reopen.
So because we are taxpayers there shouldn't be a single fee for anything in any of the 170 plus parks that we have...??? Also, don't confuse yourself with everyone else...your society are the ones that gather at the pool everyday...people that visit every weekend or every other weekend are a different story. It is rather obvious that your number one concern is yourselves.
The pool is still as beautiful as love...despite all the ugliness that the society dumps on it. It is as beautiful as love and no fee increase can change that.
I am another person that would like to know why you are surprised by an increase in prices? Prices everywhere else have gone up. Yes it might be crummy but why the "bulletin!"
Louise J. Goldstein for 20th Dist. Rep!!! We need some of her fight as well as insight to represent us. If not then at least whoevers seat takes over the 20th!!! Get in politics girl and save us all and save the park from the parks office!! We need your insight to be heard louder now than ever. We love your ideals
Lou would be an inspiration to all of America's youth if she did that! They would figure if she can make anybody can. We need more officials who get elected solely because they are obsessed with a swimming hole! You've got my vote chief!
State Gov: Louise can fill the seat left by Ms Gillebrand
She won't steal millions like old Bruno.
We need politicos who want what's good working families
No " out of touch" Party Hacks
Give it some thought Louise
And if she did steal anything you'd better believe she'd give every penny right to the pool she loves so much. It could open April 1st and close on November 1st. Oh it would be as beautiful as love to swim on a chilled spring day...it would be as beautiful as love. Lou would make everything as beautiful as love!
Not only should LJG go into politics but this group should all go in. To accomplish what they did, in a closed door city like saratoga and a Bolted door policy of NYS parks. We all remember what this pool looked like in the 90's. Like some type urban public pool to a fine chic locale that all saratogians can enjoy. Bravo and run for office STVPS!!!
It might be very difficult though, after all they're not rich enough to own their own swimming pool so mounting a campaign might be next to impossible.
Politics should not be about money anoymous!
Well VictoriousVictorian after all I've heard about campaigns throughout the years you sure as hell need some in order to mount a decent one. Let's see how acid tongued Lulu is when she's raising money for her own needs instead of harrassing state agencies.
"LuLu" is the Victoria Pool Savior. Thats all im saying on the subject.
When will Louise and Co. stop using the tired (and inaccurate) line "Contrary to public opinion, everybody in Saratoga is not rich enough to have their own swimming pool"? When has anyone ever said that? This is just not an effective argument - its pretty obvious that people want pools everywhere. Arguing that we need a pool is just arguing something that everyone already agrees with. Maybe this society would be more successful is you tried to be a little more relevant, and stopped using the same tired excuses. The public deserves more of your misplaced wisdom! By the way, since Louise and Co. fight tirelessly for the Victoria Pool, they are officially exempt from following the pool rules! (Some people are more equal than others.)
Yes That society should be ashamed to be in bathing suits with the plethora of young and attractive people there, get off the deck and let better looking people on who are waiting,once i realized who this group was i find it amusing that they are the oldest, unhealtheiest looking and fruitiest group on the pool deck. If you want to save the pool get off the deck. I bet if more and more other attractive 20 and 30's somethings went the pool would gain alot more attention. Attractive people=attention=money=beautiful pool. Nothing steams me more than seeing this pruney group wasting space to sun themselves wile others are looking to swim and mingle in the ambiance of the pool and its people
Thats a terrible thing to say Anonymous! You too will age and your body will not be attractive anymore (if it even is now) You should be ashamed of yourself. It is true that beauty sells but i think NYS Parks system overlooks beauty in the interest of the people and obviously in this case Patronage. STVPS has been going for im sure 70 years the pool opened in the late 30's i believe. If i was still able to get around like those people do I can see why they dont care about the body. It enough work to be alive and healthy at our age!! They may be the oldest, ergo unhealthiest but I don't think they are fruity, they are in fact serious people, not silly or unrealistic, they are hardworking and it can be said our watchdog against parks, they stand for their beliefs. More than I can say about you anonymous! You may have your youth and body, but I am glad I have my wisdom, just as i am sure STVPS is. Grow Up and don't be bitter so young. You have old age for that. Although dont we all wish we had that 20year old body back? Just for a day.
HaHa VV!! Thats hilarious. People that are old say that. And in reference to the remark mentioned in my earlier post.....
Fruity---I did not mean silly, not un-serious, I meant something else and if you don't know you obviously do not see some of the personalities on that deck. Its a mecca for the alternative lifestyle in Saratoga!! More than i have ever seen in one place in my life SanFran in Toga? I would not bring any young children there, men in bikinis is just the top of what really goes on there. Open your eyes
this is amusing, and kind of true....
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