Why is it that progress is such a long, arduous process in New York State, but failure is so swift? If you want to build a large-scale project in New York, a comprehensive review process kicks in. The cornerstone of the review process is public input. It takes time and money and consultants and studies and lawyers. On the other hand, the proposed closure of Long Point State Park along with 40 other parks and 14 historic sites and additional service reductions at 23 more parks seems so expeditious. All it took was a press release.
The closures are a jarring reminder that New York State is in dire straights. The stark reality is that budget cuts need to happen. We get it. But as taxpayers, voters and residents, we deserve to know the process by which decisions are made that impact us all.
Does the State face an historic fiscal crisis of unprecedented magnitude, as Governor Paterson says? Absolutely, it does. Carol Ash, Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (OPRHP) assures us that “these actions were not recommended lightly, but they are necessary to address our State's extraordinary fiscal difficulties." I don’t think there are many who question the validity of that statement. As upset as I am by the recommendations, I don’t for a moment think that there was a map of New York and a set of darts involved in the decision-making.
But what was involved? What was the process - exactly? What were the criteria for closures and service reductions? Geography? Usage numbers? Revenue potential? Cost of operation? To be fair, it is entirely possible that a credible and logical process led to the list of closures and service reductions. We don’t know, and therein lies the problem. Providing an explanation would foster greater public understanding. Passing down an edict from Albany just fuels public outrage.
Long Point is a well-used, well-maintained jewel that provides valuable access to Chautauqua Lake for boaters, fishermen, skiers, snowmobilers, hikers and visitors. And while the parks system (visited by over 55 million people each year) may offer an ostensibly equitable way to make cuts across the state – to spread the pain, so to speak – those decisions cannot be made in a vacuum.
In announcing the cuts, Governor Paterson said that the unfortunate reality of closing an $8.2 billion deficit is that there is less money available for many worthy services and programs. “In an environment when we have to cut funding to schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and social services, no area of State spending, including parks and historic sites, could be exempt from reductions. We cannot mortgage our State's financial future through further gimmicks or avoidance behavior. Spending cuts, however difficult, are needed in order to put New York on the road to fiscal recovery. Going forward through the budget process, I look forward to a productive dialogue with the Legislature on parks and historic sites, as well as other issues." Productive dialogue sounds great. We’re all ears.
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TAGS
Long Point State Park, closures, OPRHP, David Paterson, decision-making, New York State |
