Southern York County Life

My 2 cents (at least for now, the taxes haven’t kicked in yet).  For the record I am strongly in favor of the new stadium. That being said I hate the amount of taxes we pay. The crazy thing about all this is that being a MD transplant......a moment or two for the gasps and ire from the natives to settle LOL...., I know that Counties in MD provide tons more services and programs to the tax payer for little more than we pay here. I drive everywhere in the Balto metro area and see turf fields popping up everywhere not just at schools. Some are Rec and Parks fields. Obviously this isn’t MD and for a whole lot of reasons I’m glad its not.  My issue here is 2 parts. First and foremost is the incredible liability that exists with the status of the “old stadium”. Many people in today’s world are looking for a free ride. One slip and fall and wham a huge lawsuit. Some folks faced with financial hardship and a TV lawyer may not want to sue but have little options when faced with huge medical bills. Its not malice it may be necessity. My second is that how many people buy a car and drive it well beyond the point where it starts costing them more then buying new and starting over. KD has gotten their money out of the old stadium and anything less than a full rebuild is throwing good money away!!  Having been on various Boards of Directors they were faced with similar situations with regard to replacement of existing facilities. The plans eventually implemented were such that each year a portion of the income was put into a separate fund for the replacement of whatever needed it. Everything will breakdown, fail or become outdated.  It is well beyond the time to make such arrangements for the future for all our children s sakes regardless of cost. This includes and goes far beyond the football field. Yes, times are horrible for most. If your car breaks down and that is your only way to work or if a tree falls on your house and in uninhabitable you will still have to fix it. Its simple but financially painful and I speak from experience. Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading the responses. Let the barbs commence, LOL.

cc3 - 28 January 2010 10:22 AM

My 2 cents (at least for now, the taxes haven’t kicked in yet).  For the record I am strongly in favor of the new stadium. That being said I hate the amount of taxes we pay. The crazy thing about all this is that being a MD transplant......a moment or two for the gasps and ire from the natives to settle LOL...., I know that Counties in MD provide tons more services and programs to the tax payer for little more than we pay here. I drive everywhere in the Balto metro area and see turf fields popping up everywhere not just at schools. Some are Rec and Parks fields. Obviously this isn’t MD and for a whole lot of reasons I’m glad its not.  My issue here is 2 parts. First and foremost is the incredible liability that exists with the status of the “old stadium”. Many people in today’s world are looking for a free ride. One slip and fall and wham a huge lawsuit. Some folks faced with financial hardship and a TV lawyer may not want to sue but have little options when faced with huge medical bills. Its not malice it may be necessity. My second is that how many people buy a car and drive it well beyond the point where it starts costing them more then buying new and starting over. KD has gotten their money out of the old stadium and anything less than a full rebuild is throwing good money away!!  Having been on various Boards of Directors they were faced with similar situations with regard to replacement of existing facilities. The plans eventually implemented were such that each year a portion of the income was put into a separate fund for the replacement of whatever needed it. Everything will breakdown, fail or become outdated.  It is well beyond the time to make such arrangements for the future for all our children s sakes regardless of cost. This includes and goes far beyond the football field. Yes, times are horrible for most. If your car breaks down and that is your only way to work or if a tree falls on your house and in uninhabitable you will still have to fix it. Its simple but financially painful and I speak from experience. Thanks for reading and I look forward to reading the responses. Let the barbs commence, LOL.

No barbs from here!  You are spot on with your analysis of the situation, but I believe that there are higher priorities that should be addressed.  I am going to keep mentioning the Pension Fund problem because it is huge. 

If the existing stadium (I use that term loosely) is that dangerous, then as I suggested for the short-term tear down the grandstands (it will have to happen anyway) and get rid of that liability.  The proposed stadium is probably not going to be built by next season, and if this place is the death trap that people are making it out to be then the situation should be addressed right away.  When that is done address the steps needed to build a new facility.  Let the spectators bring a lawn chair to watch the game.  That is the way we did it in Baltimore County, and we had a State Champ soccer team and State Champ JV football team in my time at my high school. 

Again, if the liability is really that great they should shut down the facility now and eliminate the danger by destroying the stands.  Why pay out a huge personal injury claim and then have to pay crazy high insurance rates too.

Does anyone know if the feasability study is part of the “Ram Campaign” on the SESD Website - If I understand correctly then money would be funded via contributions and naming rights and goes above and beyond just a football field, but includes many other improvements for students including academics. Of course I am not sure how feasible it is to raise that kind of money.  I attend many of the football games since my daughter is in marching band and I am envious of other schools facilities but yet I love my Deer Lil town and fondly remember pep rallies on that same field........  um 25 years ago!  Also I get hit with all of the fundraisers - there are so many groups and clubs and all are competing for donations.  Will a new stadium benefit many - probably because of the other sports and the graduation ceremony each year.  Agree, that if the community wants - need to come up with a plan and try and see it through just because the economy is horribly bleak right now the idea of a new stadium is a huge undertaking and will not happen overnight and discussion could bring forth many great ideas on how to accomplish that without raising taxes.  The study should include how ticket sales and other events will suppport operational costs in the years ahead. 

In my opinion the majority of students that attend our school system are a great group of young people and I look forward to see what they will accomplish in their lives and like to support academics and extra curricular activities that enrich them as good citizens.  Especially with the lack of things for kids to do around the area that is safe and keeps them out of trouble - I am very thankful that my children have the opportunity to participate in sports, music programs, FFA, FLA and the various other clubs. As a parent I am happy to pay fees for their participation in these programs and I try to help out at the concession stands and purchase fundraiser items.  I have met some of the parents that volunteer their time helping with the clubs and boosters and they dedicate a huge amount of time and their own personal money in keeping these things running.  Kudos to them for doing what they do, because everyone in the community benefits from their efforts.

I have rambled enough, lets brainstorm and post ideas on how to improve things and work together.

Walesexcavating - 28 January 2010 11:47 AM

Does anyone know if the feasability study is part of the “Ram Campaign” on the SESD Website - If I understand correctly then money would be funded via contributions and naming rights and goes above and beyond just a football field, but includes many other improvements for students including academics. Of course I am not sure how feasible it is to raise that kind of money.  I attend many of the football games since my daughter is in marching band and I am envious of other schools facilities but yet I love my Deer Lil town and fondly remember pep rallies on that same field........  um 25 years ago!  Also I get hit with all of the fundraisers - there are so many groups and clubs and all are competing for donations.  Will a new stadium benefit many - probably because of the other sports and the graduation ceremony each year.  Agree, that if the community wants - need to come up with a plan and try and see it through just because the economy is horribly bleak right now the idea of a new stadium is a huge undertaking and will not happen overnight and discussion could bring forth many great ideas on how to accomplish that without raising taxes.  The study should include how ticket sales and other events will suppport operational costs in the years ahead. 

In my opinion the majority of students that attend our school system are a great group of young people and I look forward to see what they will accomplish in their lives and like to support academics and extra curricular activities that enrich them as good citizens.  Especially with the lack of things for kids to do around the area that is safe and keeps them out of trouble - I am very thankful that my children have the opportunity to participate in sports, music programs, FFA, FLA and the various other clubs. As a parent I am happy to pay fees for their participation in these programs and I try to help out at the concession stands and purchase fundraiser items.  I have met some of the parents that volunteer their time helping with the clubs and boosters and they dedicate a huge amount of time and their own personal money in keeping these things running.  Kudos to them for doing what they do, because everyone in the community benefits from their efforts.

I have rambled enough, lets brainstorm and post ideas on how to improve things and work together.

What you have to say is very calm and reasonable.

Are you sure you are on the right website? 

caroline - 28 January 2010 09:51 AM

It is so obviously a ‘discretionary expense’. Did you hear what that guy that took over the airwaves for 70 minutes last night said?  No matter what is initially raised, can you guarantee that after it is built the ongoing expenses will be shouldered by those initial parties? M&T;Stadium comes to mind. You will then turn to the local tax base to keep the shiny new stadium running. The school board should not be swayed by special interest groups. Granted, this project will benefit a couple of hundred students at a time, and before you jump down my throat, the supporters and spectators. What about the other students? It is such a ridiculous stand to take, if it passes, I would support new expensive musical instrument’s as I’m certain that liability insurance on concerts - both the players and the spectators is probably less than 3% over what is spent on football. Ever hear of a musician getting a head injury from a concert? Has the insurance company that covers the existing football facility know about these existing dangerous conditions? ‘Grandfathered’ or not, safety is still the most paramount consideration. maybe it should just be shut down.

Hmm . . I’m curious about this phenom of every time the subject of local/state taxes or grants come up everyone imediately jumps on the federal government.  There is no comarison here folks.  In PA the state has relatively little to do with funding scholls and virtually nothing to do with funding our communities.  Not sure what the presidents speech has to do with a stadium.

Caroline if you are interested in some School Districts that you personally can contact and get the benefits, finacial and otherewise to a schol and community of the school playing Friday night football games PM me and I could give you some suggestions.  I think this will allow you to speak more knowledgablly on the subject. 

Perhaps if SYCP gets a little more support from the community I could bring some of those folks in later in the year and could get he facts out to everyone in one felt swoop.(In my opinion another worthy community service that is used by different parts of the community but not supported enough )

Walesexcavating - 28 January 2010 11:47 AM

Does anyone know if the feasability study is part of the “Ram Campaign” on the SESD Website -

This was a new feasibility study.  With the Ram Campaign, the NCS Group, Ltd. had made recommendations on how the funds could be raised, but would actually use community volunteers to do the work.  The anticipated expenditure to use NCS was $100,000.  The School Board voted against hiring NCS at the June 18, 2009 school board meeting - 5 to 2.  Mrs. Lingenfelter was absent.

I heard that they have saved the money for lights over the last 3-4 years. It is in one of those reserve accounts they talk about at finance meetings.