by Dave Warner
The Easter Bunny stopped by Little Falls Saturday morning and greeted children in front of the fire station, then hopped over to the Little Falls’ ladder truck, and off they went, up and down the streets of the City.
Laura Powers said, from under the hood, “I was really excited when Mayor Blask once again reached out to bring the bunny to the City of Little Falls. Of course, the fire department was happy to help, and the weather held out and people are so much brighter and happier this year.”
She continued, “After the year that we had, it’s nice to be able to bring this kind of joy out in a safe manner. It’s a great day and a fun community event that I hope we continue to do for many years to come.”
My home town continues to make me proud. Growing up in the 50’s and 60’s it was a remarkable place to be. Street lights determined curfew and any adult in town could correct unruly behavior. The city opened the parks as play grounds and staffed the with college age residents to mentor us and weekly trips were made to Pine Lake, Kyser Lake and Caroga Lake! As far as I know there was no fees collected for this. One would think that amenity could be offered again! It would peak interest within the Upstate Community and serve as an attraction unique to communities in the area. The city could off-set the service with a $25.00 per child weekly charge or a modest assessment to real estate values. The program will spark interest among potential families looking to relocate to Central New York. A $100 per year bump in property taxes per all assed homes and businesses could generate $25,000 per year to support the program, 250 sites @ $140.00 per site could absorb the expense. Offering the program at Moreland Park, St. Mary’s Playground, the Southside, and Monroe Street School playground would capture most of the population. Two staff at each site being paid $350.00 weekly each would represent a weekly expense of $2800.00 per week. Include Transportation expenses to Pine Lake at an addition $500.00 per week and the total reaches $3300.00 per week. $3300.00 per week times an eight-week program and this becomes a $26,400.00 cost to the city. Round that total up to $30,000 and amortize it against the taxable property, residential and commercial and it becomes a no brainer. Now the selling point in choosing Little Falls over other communities in the region becomes the uniqueness of the program and you can promote it as a benefit for choosing Little Falls over other communities in the area. If need be, institute a half-penny sales tax.in the city. Explain what the increase will be used for and I am certain you will generate more than enough support. It sets Little Falls apart from other communities in the area and serves as a wonderful incentive for choosing Little Falls over other locations in the vicinity. Remember, it is a rather small valley, St. Johnsville to Utica and I would guess no other community offers such a program . I am certain that if you bundle this properly you can sell it to the tax base. Remember when faced with a problem you have only four choices, change the situation, let the situation change you, do nothing or leave!…Change the situation, create an amenity in Little Falls that sets it apart from all other communities from Albany to Syracuse! This is a no brainer if you bundle and present it properly. Good Luck!!!……Chuck Gibbs!
Would love to run this as a letter to the editor Chuck.