[va-richmond-general] Re: great questions concerning cuts
- From: catbird329@xxxxxxxxxxx
- To: juliekazz@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 25 Feb 2010 12:58:32 +0000 (UTC)
I think this is important enough that the Audubon should get involved, formally
as a group and individually. Once lost, these things will probably never come
back. We can make a change if we try.
I love the idea of a small user fee for the athletic fields. This seems only
fair to me. Can we find some parents who will say that this is okay with them?
I am sure that there will be some who will say, no we can't pay any more. (It
is less than one trip for a child to McD's, to give it some perspective.}
Margaret
----- Original Message -----
From: juliekazz@xxxxxxxxxxx
To: botnizn@xxxxxxx
Cc: jimvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 7:35:38 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: great questions concerning cuts
Thanks Kristi, Yes they are listening, I had an almost immediate repsonse from
the Bermuda Supervisor yesterday. In fact it came so quickly I replied back to
her asking if this was an automated response or a sincere reply. She assured me
she was reading it from her computer. This initiated more, interactions and has
solidified the importance that budget adjustments need to be made.
It is vital we all take jist a few minutes to email and voicemail these people,
They are listening. Make the effort. Please.
Julie Kacmarcik
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kristi Orcutt" <botnizn@xxxxxxx>
To: jimvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx, va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Thursday, February 25, 2010 7:26:32 AM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [va-richmond-general] great questions concerning cuts
Jim and all,
what should be cut? yes, that's a valid question because the reality is that
there are not enough resources to fund everything as in the past.
Recommendations brought forward by others:
mandatory retirement for staff with 30+ years
offer early retirement to those close to 30 years
3% or 4% pay cuts for all staff
additional % pay cuts for staff with annual salaries exceeding 90K
unpaid days off
request for staff to offer volunteer service to their department for one week
(unpaid)
reduction in hours for facilities such as Magnolia Grange, the county museum,
rockwood nature center,
re-evaluation of all processes to streamline everywhere!
smarter operating procedures: close monitoring of heat/ac use, copier printer
use, etc. etc. lots of waste here.
monitor internet usage of paid staff---efficiency requirements for staff
reduction of non-critical administrative staff
Here's the big one:
charge small maintenance fee to all users of athletic fields. currently, field
maintenance, lights, and other costs born by parks rec solely.
for many years, Parks & Rec receives nothing to cover the costs of maintenance
staff, grass seed, lime, fertilizer, very expensive equipment, very expensive
electric bills to run those huge light sets.
it has been suggested that a $3 per youth per season fee would significantly
defer costs.
typically a youth pays about $80 each season to their athletic group--to pay
for umpires, uniforms, trophies, team banquet. none for field maintenance or
usage.
the athletic organizations may need to reevaluate they way they do business so
that families can afford to pay a very small user fee to support the very
expensive fields parks and recreation maintains.
umpires and referees are NOT necessary for most levels of play---coaches or
trained parent volunteers can do this.
Uniforms can be simplified. did we play in jeans and a jersey with our team
name and number on it when we were kids?
at entry levels of play, this is much more than adequate.
a team banquet---how about a pot luck?
trophies not required for all players--means more to the child if they actually
earn it.
better to lower the cost per season to allow more kids to play and let the play
be the reward.
Brainstorm and add YOUR ideas for sensible cuts here and pass along to the
audubon list........
The parks & rec advisory board IS listening and the Board of Supervisors Will
listen if we will offer them solutions.!
They are begging for emails and phone calls. they cannot vote well without our
input.
Meanwhile, come to Rockwood Nature Center Friday night for a letter writing
campaign to both the above groups.
7pm-9pm stop by for a few minutes.
Kristi
-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Blowers <jimvb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: juliekazz@xxxxxxxxxxx; 'Richmond Birds' <va-richmond-general@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: 'Harinder Dhindsa' <hardhindsa@xxxxxxxxx>; 'Rachel Dhindsa'
<rdhindsarn@xxxxxxx>; 'Van Den Boom, Gary' <gary.vandenboom@xxxxxxx>; 'Van Den
Boom, Cindy' <cvandenboom@xxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Rita and Risa Shultz'
<rielrish@xxxxxxxxxxx>; 'Sarah Hierholzer' <hierholzers@xxxxxxxxx>; 'leeanna
pletcher' <thebuttons@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Feb 24, 2010 9:30 pm
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Re: Elimination of all Outdoor/Nature Programs
and staff of Chesterfield Parks and Rec. Your immediate help needed.
What do you think should be cut instead? Or should the County raise taxes? (I
note that they did not do that today. They could have raised it to $1/$100
assessed valuation.) Or should the County impose or increase fees for Parks and
Recreation services? If we address the Supervisors on these questions, it might
increase the probability that they will keep these services the County
provides.
One idea that I heard about is to cut Chesterfield County support for
activities, such as the James River Park System, Maymont, or the Diamond, which
are not in Chesterfield. In other words, serve Chesterfield County residents
and facilities first.
Jim Blowers
From: va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [
mailto:va-richmond-general-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx ] On Behalf Of
juliekazz@xxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Wednesday, 2010 February 24 20:55
To: Richmond Birds
Cc: Harinder Dhindsa; Rachel Dhindsa; Van Den Boom, Gary; Van Den Boom, Cindy;
Rita and Risa Shultz; Sarah Hierholzer; leeanna pletcher
Subject: [va-richmond-general] Elimination of all Outdoor/Nature Programs and
staff of Chesterfield Parks and Rec. Your immediate help needed.
-Have you ever paddled the lagoon at Dutch Gap?
-Have you ever attended a bird banding demo at Dutch Gap?
-Walked 4 mile trail in search of Prothonotary warblers?
-Do you have a scout or are you a Boy or Girl Scout leader using the park for
camp-outs?
-Have you visited Rockwood Nature Center and learned about amphibians and
reptiles?
-Do you jog or bike the trails of Chestefield Parks?
-Have you ever gone on a Least Bittern search?
-Have you brought an out-of-town guest, family member or student to any of the
parks?
-Ever do a Birdathon/Christmas Count or other survey at any of the Chesterfield
Parks?
If you answered yes to any of these questions then you know the value of the
Chesterfield County Parks and Rec. Programs and the impact the Nature and
Outdoor programs can have on you and the lives of children and adults.
Chesterfield County is proposing major budget cuts which will impact the Parks
program by totally eliminating it-poof, gone. Gone will be the opportunity to
learn water safety in a canoe or kayak, gone will be opportunities to hold a
bird in your hand that has migrated thousands of miles to DGap, gone will be
the experience and wisdom of a well-tuned machine called the Chesterfield Parks
and Rec. staff-many of which you know personally that have assisted you with
one-on-one experiences or group events.
You do not have to be a resident of Chesterfield to make your voice heard , The
county park programs due to their excellence and ease of accessibility are used
by folks from many counties. Please take 10 minutes out of your day to make a
difference and contact the Board of Supervisors and express your disapproval
with the current budget cut proposal by email, voice-mail, written letter or
whatever you can do. An informational flyer is attached for distribution if
your group/troop/class or family would take on this project to get the word
out. The final budget decision will be April 14.
http://www.chesterfield.gov/content2.aspx?id=2213
Share your experiences from the past. Save the parks and the people that have
been partners, friends, mentors and teachers to us.
Thank you in advance for taking time to preserve something that is vital to
shaping our future....our youth.
This is your chance to live up to the Mission statement of the Richmond Audubon
Society and be an advocate to the conservation.
Thank you for your help-we can make a difference.
Julie Kacmarcik
Chester
"In the end we will conserve only what we love, We love only what we
understand. We will understand only what we are taught." Baba Dioum
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