Kaitlyn Cyr – 6/13/12

This page was last updated on June 13, 2012.

Protect parks; Kaitlyn Cyr; Beaver County Times; June 13, 2012. An editor’s note asserts, “The writer is a member of PennEnvironment, a citizen-based environmental advocacy group.”

You won’t be surprised to learn PennEnvironment believes in manmade global warming. Other letters from PennEnvironment activists/employees include “Protect clean air standards,” “Altmire’s vote does not tell whole tale,” “Wind power beats drilling any day,” “Address mass transit needs,” and “Fund mass transit adequately.”

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“One of the great things about Pennsylvania is its great system of local and state parks. Beaver County’s location adjacent to the Ohio River makes for great waterfront park opportunities.

“Multiple townships in the county have made efforts towards creating riverfront parks and trails, with the help of the Keystone Fund. These recreational areas are ideal for residents looking to spend a day outdoors.

“That’s why I was so disappointed to learn that Gov. Corbett was proposing to eliminate one of the state’s most important programs when it comes to funding our parks. The program is called the Keystone Fund and it’s helped to restore and protect parks and other critical outdoor areas all over Pennsylvania.

“In these tough economic times, more and more Pennsylvanians are taking ‘stay-cations’ instead of expensive vacations. These are trips nearby that are more affordable — and can involve our local outdoors like the Ohio River waterfront.

“I hope that concerned citizens will call our local legislators and ask them to take whatever steps are necessary to protect the Keystone Fund and keep this program’s important legacy intact and ongoing.”

[RWC] I like parks as much as the next guy, but they are luxuries, not necessities. In “these tough economic times” it makes sense to raid taxpayer paychecks, pensions, etc. to pay for parks? If municipalities want local parks, they should pay for them out of their own pockets or do some fundraising that doesn’t involve confiscating from family paychecks.