History, Research, and Current Themes


"The world needed John Brown and John Brown came, and time will do him justice." Frederick Douglass (1886)

Search This Blog & Links

Translate

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Naj Wikoff on the State of the Farm: So Far, So Good, but the Gov May Veto

The good news is that both the Senate and the Assembly have voted to put back $11.3 million to keep of NYS arks and historic sites open. On the other hand, the Governor is speaking of a veto, especially in light of the Assembly’s putting back $600 million for education. We could be caught in such a veto.

Thus now the focus must be on the Governor (and to thank our Senators and Assembly reps)

David A. PatersonBold

State Capitol

Albany, NY 12224

518-474-8390

Email: www.state.ny.us/governor/contact/GovernorContactForm.php

We are two thirds of the way there. Keep up the good work.

Naj

Points to make:

• Put back $11.3 million in the NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Places budget

• No state park or historic site has been closed in 125 years, even during the Great Depression (indeed in hard times, such places are needed more than ever)

• State parks and historic sites attract 57 million visitors annually, 2 million more than last year

• State parks and historic sites support over 20,000 jobs and generate over $1.9 billion in economic activity

• State parks & historic sites promote good health, they provide places for people to walk, canoe, swim, and ski which helps keep New Yorkers healthy and health costs down

• Historic sites are vital educational resources for schools; they bring history alive to millions of school children

• The John Brown Farm is a sacred site of national importance. 11 Black and white men, who gave their lives 150 years ago to end slavery for over 4.2 million people, are buried there.

• The John Brown Farm has been continuously open to the public since it became a State historic site in 1896

• The John Brown Farm remains a vital focal point for events that draw attention to the over 27 million world-wide living in slavery and 17,000 brought into this country each year through human trafficking

• Parks, Recreation and Historic Places have already had their budget cut 25 percent ($46 million), are willing to absorb an additional $18 million, but a still additional $11.3 million, which will result in the closure of 88 parks and historic sites, is too much and represents an unequal and unfair burden.

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I will call and write. Thanks for the info.