Coastals

[Waterdawg]

First I am not computer savvy like many folks out there so excuse any posting mistakes. The following is a very serious issue and we need to have the paddling and outdoors community to please stand up and be counted.
We need every one to please get involved. Many of the individuals on Coastals have at one time or the other taken a class with Greg Velzy and Chesterfield Parks and Rec. At this point the programs are scheduled to be cut. I was at the meeting last night and the county told us that our problem is we are not organized like youth sports. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. We need every person to write, e-mail or call the following individuals and let them know what an asset these programs have become. I explained that one of the most important things lost would be the programs that teach water safety, and safe paddling. Please read the following and reach out to all of the county officials. They welcome everyone from all areas, (no matter which county you are from) to speak up. Loosing Greg and his staff is irreplaceable lets standup for them
This information can be found on Facebook at Save Chesterfield Outdoors and Friends of Rockwood Park

Dear Citizens of Chesterfield, Henrico, Richmond, Powhatan, nature lovers everywhere,
Help stop the 100% budget cut to
Chesterfield Parks and Rec Outdoors Programs
• No more nature programs for preschool and school groups
• All canoe and kayak instruction and programs will cease.
• Challenge course will be shut down.
• Rockwood Nature Center closed.
• 10 summer camps eliminated.
• No family programs.
What can you do?
1. Contact Parks and Rec Advisory Council and Board of Supervisors Members
PRAC Members:
Ron Maxey maxey.rp@pg.com Brenda White bwsoccer@comcast.net
Earl Gee earlgee@geelawfirm.com Annette Schanz schanz3@comcast.net
Shayne McDavid shaynemcdavid@gmail.com Lisa Quigley mjquigley@comcast.net
Bob Terrell terrellret@aol.com Sandy Cassis smcassis@verizon.net
Timothy Mick tmickbass@aol.com
Board of Supervisors:
Bermuda District
Dorothy Jaeckle (804) 748-1211
Home (804) 748-4364
jaeckled@chesterfield.gov
Dale District James M. "Jim"
Holland, Vice Chairman (804) 748-1211
Voice Mail: (804) 768-7528
hollandj@chesterfield.gov
Clover Hill District
Arthur S. Warren(804) 748-1211
Voice Mail: (804) 768-7396
warrena@chesterfield.gov
Matoaca District
Marleen K. Durfee (804) 748-1211
Voice Mail: (804) 768-7400
durfeem@chesterfield.gov
Midlothian District
Daniel A. Gecker, Chairman
(804) 748-1211
Voice Mail: (804) 768-7397
geckerd@chesterfield.gov
County Administrator
James J. L. Stegmaier
Office: (804) 748-1211
TDD: (804) 748-1910
countyadministrator@chesterfield.gov
2. Come to March 4 and 24 meetings in Chesterfield. Check Facebook’s Save
Chesterfield Outdoors for directions.
Go to Chesterfield.gov then Parks and Rec for list of what will be cut if we don’t act now.
THANK YOU! Our conservation efforts thank you, our children who benefit from
outdoor adventures thank you, and so do the adults! Please WRITE NOW!

[slo2rol]

Since time is tight for folks, shown below are a couple sample letters that can be used to contact Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission and Board of Supervisors members.

Much of the paddling community has benefited in some way or another from Greg's classes, so please take the time to write, e-mail, or call with your support. NOTE: The correct e-mail address for Annette Schanz is aschanz3@comcast.net

And we need a LARGE turnout for the PRAC meeting:
Date: Thursday, March 4, 2010
Time: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Location: Rooms C & D - Eanes-Pittman Bldg (Public Safety building)
Street: 6610 Public Safety Way
City/St/Zip: Chesterfield, VA 23232

*************************************************************

Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXX:

I write to urge that the Chesterfield Outdoor Program NOT be eliminated in the budget cuts being considered.

First, the amount of money that would be saved by the elimination of the program would be minuscule in the larger budget picture. A barely perceptible cut in a large program would maintain the Outdoor Program at an acceptable level. Parks and Recreation is receiving a 15% budget reduction, whereas the total county budget cut is 6%. Out of that 15% reduction, recreation is being hit by 30%, nearly a third!

Second, the Outdoor Program is renowned as one of the best in Virginia, if not the nation. It is a unique, signature program of Chesterfield County that serves not only residents of the County and Region, but well beyond and has been the prototype for such programming in many locales.

Third, the Outdoor Program matches and enhances the unique opportunities of the region, bordered as Chesterfield County is by the Appomattox and the James Rivers. The Outdoor Program, therefore, provides not only an exceptional educational curriculum, but a conservation and environmental stewardship/ethics one as well.

Fourth, the Chesterfield Outdoor Program, through its skill and safety training, is a significant contributor to outdoor safety in our bountiful river community. The Program is used by schools and the public, as well as such groups as emergency response personnel and the "Wounded Warriors" (Veterans) from the McGuire VA Hospital.

For these and many other reasons, eliminating this unique program would be a mistake that must be avoided.

Sincerely,

*************************************************************
Dear XXXXXXXXXXXXXX,

I am writing to urge you to save the Outdoors Programs section of Chesterfield Parks and Recreation. I feel it is paramount that these programs remain available to the citizens of Chesterfield as well as to the greater public.

Outdoors offers the only public kayaking, canoe, and river safety instruction, a vital necessity with rivers bordering 2/3 of the county. Please consider sharing budget cuts equally with other programs within the department. Eliminating Outdoors, one of the leanest sections in the county, would make a minuscule impact in the greater budget scope whereas a barely perceptible cut in a larger program would maintain Outdoors Programs at an acceptable level.

Outdoors programs comprise 2/3 of the public course enrollments, often with lengthy waiting lists. Please consider other alternatives such as offering county employees early retirement and reduction of positions that do not have a direct impact on county taxpayers. It is alarming that the County would consider eliminating a section that has been a favorite for 30 years.

Outdoors fees cover direct costs for programs, serving 30,000 people (65% youth) on a budget of $337,000. Youth leagues serve 30,000 yet cost the county $2.5 million. Please consider asking youth leagues to begin paying for the rights to use county facilities. It is illogical to ask Outdoors participants to pay for their services yet allow youth leagues to have free access to their services which are obviously a significant drain on the county’s funds. Youth athletics replicate school programs; Outdoors Programs do not replicate school programs and are used by middle and high schools.

Outdoors programs are unique and renowned as one of the best in Virginia, if not the nation, comprising a true treasure for the county. Should the elimination of Outdoors proceed, the cost to recreate this section is overwhelming, potentially impossible due to the loss of committed, educated and celebrated staff. Please consider redistributing some of the County’s $5.2 million internal training budget to support the Outdoors education, training and welfare of the 280,000 residents.

Outdoors offers the only Parks and Recreation family programs, necessary options in the face of our national obesity epidemic and family-life degradation. For these and many other reasons, eliminating this unique program would be a mistake that can and must be avoided.

In harsh economic times, the great outdoors have become an even more essential place to learn, grow, play and recharge. Help ensure that the residents of the County have these opportunities in our wonderful community by ensuring the sustained future of the Parks and Recreation Outdoors programs.

Thank you for your time and commitment to the people of Chesterfield County.

Sincerely,

[hazmat]

You all are stupid, and so is kayaking. As proof I just flipped though all 400 channels on cable. I have good cable and am somewhat of a cable expert as my behind is the size of my large screen television. The county should fund only football, softball, basketball, and (for the queers and foreigners) soccer. Besides paddling spooks the fish.



Shop at Walmart, eat Mcdonalds for lunch, go out for dinner at Olive Garden or Appleby's. Play Basketfootbaseball.

Any reduction in taxes associated with the reduction in services. Have you ever been in the Chesterfield County courthouse. With a more economical design of that single building they could have funded outdoor activities for several years.

[hazmat]

You all are stupid, and so is kayaking. As proof I just flipped though all 400 channels on cable. I have good cable and am somewhat of a cable expert as my behind is the size of my large screen television. The county should fund only football, softball, basketball, and (for the queers and foreigners) soccer. Besides paddling spooks the fish.



Shop at Walmart, eat Mcdonalds for lunch, go out for dinner at Olive Garden or Appleby's. Play Basketfootbaseball.

Any reduction in taxes associated with the reduction in services. Have you ever been in the Chesterfield County courthouse. With a more economical design of that single building they could have funded outdoor activities for several years.

[guy66]

[MichaelME]

" I llike to play inside, 'cause that's where all the electrical outlets are"

fourth grader from Last Child in the Woods.

[goboatin]

I grew up going to these programs and cannot believe they are trying to shut them down. Sign the petition to save Chesterfield outdoor rec!
http://www.petitiononline.com/outdoors/petition.html

[MichaelME]

Does anyone know where the council/board members stand on the issue?

[edit] removed random thoughts, refer to my signature

Oh, and for all those that haven't, think of the kids and sign the petition please.

[Land Beaver]

Does anyone know what the hell the one up there ^ is talking about? I may have missed something in English class but I don't think so.

Jaysus, Michael. Get a hobby. Learning to read and write would be a start.

[MichaelME]

[dnutter]

I really like michealme and his querky posts. Given sometimes they may be a little hard to decode, but they are Always hours of entertainment.

[MichaelME]

Thanks, I'll consider that a hug. Although, trapped in an auto with me for an extended road trip may be a bit much. Thankfully the Gov understands the occasional need for relief.

[MichaelME]

I know, back too soon.

Please hold off before casting this thread into the Lounge. Check out the number of views. The approach may not be the best. But without one voice (organized/respected) representing like minded individuals, in some respect, Well.....
Something of substance is bound to surface again.

In the meantime, lets go for a ride

-- -- .

[Land Beaver]

Isn't a whistle pig the same as a marmot. You can eat those you know.

[Eskimo Toast]

God save the land beavers, dolphins.....and cows!

http://www.cowabduction.com/

everyone else - sign the petition!! (you do not need to live in Chesterfield County to sign the petition and support their programs)