Club opposition based on cost to taxpayers

The Island Now

How misguided is the comment of a Robert Hersh as  quoted in the June 22 issue. 

He says: “They have their pool but they do not want us to have ours.”  Quite obviously he is taking a slap at those of us who live in “outlying areas”  and pay for our pool.  The opposition is based on fiscal prudence. Opposition is not based on not wanting residents in the area of the Roslyn Country Club to have a pool.  To borrow more money, incur more debt and hope the facility will pay for itself is just the kind of fiscal irresponsibility that has most of our towns, counties, cities, states and Federal government in the financial quagmire that elected officials deal with every day.

In New Hyde Park , we have a special Park District and we pay for the Clinton G. Martin facility. We are not a drain on town resources. Nor do we seek help from other taxpayers  to pay for the facility.  Why can’t those who would use the Roslyn complex do the same?  You can have your pool, just pay for it like “they” do in New Hyde Park.   Sounds fair to me.  What’s wrong with that?  

So yes, “they” have their pool but “they” also pay for it. At some point,  “they” wanted a pool, “they” got it and “they” pay for it. That’s the way life goes. “They” sound like rational folks who realize there is no free lunch.  Why do the Roslyn Country Club deal supporters want the bailout that the rest of the town will pick up the cost?  Haven’t we had enough of failed bailouts?

Here’s another suggestion:  why not have those who sign up for membership at the Roslyn Country Club agree that they will be responsible for the costs of the facility they are using and add a clause to the membership agreement that they will accept whatever annual assessment there may be to make that happen?  This will surely tell us those who really believe this is a good investment by taking our town off the hook in these very uncertain economic times. Going this route, the town of North Hempstead has no risk from either the borrowing, building or the maintenance costs.

Let’s get back to fiscal responsibility and look for ways to reduce spending and cut costs instead of planning a project that we hope works out but if it doesn’t the taxpayers of the town have to pay the price for our elected officials financial ineptitude.

Howard E. Ammerman

New Hyde Park

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