The Public Opinion Soapbox

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 120 Location: Chambersburg

This topic was started earlier It disappeared, although we did not delete it. So, we are restarting it.

postaff · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 120 Location: Chambersburg

Here is Ravenboy's comment on the pool, which he posted under the CASD school board topic. Couldn't figure out how to move the comment, other than by cut and paste. We're still learning how this forum tool works -- bear with us!

Got on this morning to reply to the topic of the pool...to my great surprise what was there last evening is now gone. The PO has seen fit to delete this topic. WHY!?! This is exactly what we should be discussing. Why censor it?

Taxpayers have a right to know the pitfalls of the "verbally" agreed upon project.

We will be paying rent to use the pool. Pool built with our $4 million. YMCA says no. OK, if we don't pay rent on the $4 million we already gave away, how is the Y going to pay for maintenance and upkeep on our $4 million?

Apparently Dr. Michael is on the Y board. CASD says doesn't matter he has no vote at CASD meetings. OOOKKKKK, but let's not insult our intelligence by saying he has no influence.

What is Dr. Joe paying for his YMCA membership?

YMCA family membership starts at over $700 per year. Tell me again how much the community is going to benefit from the $4 MILLION POOL.

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

All of this outrage over the pool proposal is so much wasted energy. I predict that the proposal will go nowhere. The Y was presumptious in moving forward on a supposed verbal response from the district and they came across as arrogant in their comments to the PO. They also increased the amount they said was needed from $2-3 million to $4 million. The school district already is backing away by delaying their decision. It could have been a decent partnership had the YMCA not been so one-sided in its demands.

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

It does seem rather silly to be carrying on like this, EXCEPT (trust me) the YMCA is not done with this. They got a committment from someone on CASD board and they are going to lay in wait until this all calms down and sneak it through later when so many projects are going on that no one notices. Can almost guarantee that there is some fast and furious wheeling and dealing behinds the scenes. The Y doesn't often get stopped.

Just remember.....this is only a postponement of the pool...not a cancellation! Be diligent.

me · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 119

Mavis, It will go no where, as long as WE all keep after the CASD not to become involved in this.

Apple hit it right on the head and is 1000% on mark with hhis/ her comments.

Someone, anyone PLEASE tell me how this is going to benefit the entire student body and not just a select few, especially the CASD staff !!!???

local_bru · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 11 Location: Chambersburg

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Mrs. Sharpe is voted back in, feels people are happy with current board decisions, YMCA is jumping up and down and clapping. They are getting a new pool!!!!!

That last statement is not as far-fetched as some may think!

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

A decision has not been made on the pool. I'll bet the deal never happens.

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Everyone check the board agenda for tonite's CASD board meeting....the YMCA coach, Chris Chance, is going to be approved as a volunteer coach for the Trojan Swim Team. The Trojans already have 2 coaches, and while you can always use a few extra hands, this smells a little fishy. Particularly when the Y will be paying someone else to run the Y practice (held at the very same time in a different pool). Actually the reality is Dave Matthews WILL get his pool! And he will put people wherever it takes to get it.....Eric Michael on the YMCA board....Coach Chance on the Trojan coaching staff...smoozing with Joe P. in the workout rooms....whatever it takes.

Ever wonder about how he got so much influence......

Can anyone smell a conflict of interest here on Dr. Michael's part?

Get ready-----------A NEW YMCA POOL IS COMING!!!!!

Torgo · Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 2:05 am Post subject:

Well, run for the hills, Ma Barker!

I probably won't use it. But there's a lot of community improvements coming down the pike I won't use. Doesn't mean I oppose them all, because I don't evaluate ideas solely on the basis of NIMBY, or class envy, or whether I stand to benefit directly.

An investment in the community is still that, even if it's not directly advantageous to you personally. How much did you all benefit from the rails-to-trails project downtown? How much will you benefit from the Chambers statues at the confluence?

And besides, if even five additional students get into swimming and physical fitness as a result of this, it'll be worth the money. How much is a lifetime of good healthy habits worth?

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Community improvements are great. My family uses almost everything Chambersburg has to offer, BUT (here we go again) is it smart or even reasonably intelligent to give taxpayers money, badly needed to educate our children, to a private organization that NO ONE will have control over.

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Just got a look at the YMCA's winter newsletter. Guess what? They don't have any money to build or renovate the pools BUT they are announcing a new building project.....

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

It seems that with the impending opening of a Gold's Gym, the Y will be seeing some much needed competition.

apple · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 27

Well, received newsletter from YMCA about new building projects within the facility. Thought there was no money for anything...like the plans for a new pool. Now the pipes have gone kaflooey under the Huber pool. Instead of adding onto or updating something that currently works why aren't they doing regular preventitive maintenance on their pools etc. Hence my point about giving the YMCA $4 million dollars of CASD money......THEY BUILD, BUILD, BUILD AND FORGET TO MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN, MAINTAIN what they have. In a few years they will be right back asking for money again.

I realize with the addition of 2 new gyms in our area (Snaps and Gold's) the Y is a trifle anxious. Especially since they even lost their fitness center director to one of these new options. I just don't like the Y's tactics. They have money for what they want to spend it for and want you to pay the rest.

Coppy · Joined: 28 Oct 2007 Posts: 2569 Location: Chambersburg

Maintenance costs a lot of money too; taxpayers would likely flip out a proposed increase in maintenance costs to them. It's easy to lower funding; not so easy to increase it. Usually, it's far easier to just "build a new one."