GOP fundraiser
If you're free on Tuesday between 5-7pm, please stop by the Bartoli household (754 Devonwood Drive). The suggested donation is $75, but if that's too high (or too low!) you shouldn't be too concerned... please still consider stopping by to speak with Gov. Rell.
47 comments:
I think the idea of "turf" for the highschool would only benefit all involved. It would cut down on the use of pesticides, decrease the overall spending on maintaining the current field, decrease injuries due to uneven playing fields and increase the overall usage of the field. It seems to me to be a win-win...especially if the money is already in the budget.
This project is a whole community project. Look at what are kids play on now. DIRT!!!! It's quite embarassing to be honest. As I sat in the stands the other day, I was ashamed to let not only our kids, but other town kids play on that dirt field. Everyone would be able to use it and it would make our school and fields look good
The installtion of turf at the highschool benefits not only the football team but the town of Cheshire as a whole. As a parent of a cheerleader I have had the chance to personally observe the poor conditions of the field. Compared to other towns we have traveled to our field is embarrassing. We now have a chance to fix it. Lets get it done.
Please go with turf! It will save money in the long run, decrease injuries and liability issues, and make a statement that Cheshire cares about health, sports, and players.
Almost every one of our surrounding towns has turf -- and there's a reason for that. It is a wonderful resource for a community's young athletes. Try and rise above local politics and put turf in NOW!
Turf is not only needed but would be cost effective. Maitenance on Turf is cheaper than maintenance on grass fields and is more durable. Although we cant compare our community to the community of Faifield in size/tax base etc, it is embarrassing that they have four turf fields. They must see the value in that and we should as well.
I think having a turf field at our High School is a great idea. It would definately be a boost for the town and the sports programs that we have. Cheshire is a fairly affluent town, but you would never know it looking at our fields. This would definately be a huge asset for the town as long as it's managed properly and audited unlike the pool project. I
I think the "turf project " is a great idea and it benifits the kids of Cheshire. The money is already in the budget so let use it.
Tim -
I'm encouraged to see that getting Turf at the High School is a possibility. My son has been playing in the Youth Lacrosse program for 3 years (going on 4 this coming Spring). And although he'd personally stand to benefit from such an enhancement, I feel it would really benefit Athletics in Town overall. When you go around to the various towns such as Madison and Shelton and see the kind of facilities they have, its apparent that we really need to get to the next level. Investing in Turf is an investment in our youth. Good luck with the effort!!
Regards,
Pat Carey
515 Woodpond Rd.
The field at the high school is used by more than just the high school teams. The field is used by players, band members and cheerleaders of all ages. I am certain efforts are made to keep the field in good condition. However, the field is hard and expensive to maintain. It is often uneven, often unusable afer rain and unsafe for athletes. A turf field in good condition is long overdue. Please support this measure.
Definitely YES to turf!! The field conditions in this town are a disgrace compared to other towns.
On the turf topic, just to clarify, the fields are currently cared for using organic methods and not pesticides.
Regardless of that fact, the fields at all levels are in bad shape. Traveling to Wolcott, Southington, Wallingford and other towns that are not contiguous to ours is a real eye opener.
Not that we need to keep up with the Joneses but we should at least provide fields that are safe and that have been proven to reduce injuries.
The comments heard frequently from visiting towns are along the line of "you would think a town like Cheshire would have better facilities".
I have also heard it debated by members of the town council that if we accept a free turf field we would then be "stuck" with the cost of maintaining it. Such is life. If they were offered a new car, would it be turned down because "we will have to pay for the gas and oil changes"
I applaud CYB and other organizations (kids in motion, school playground committees) who are attemtpting to fund better facilities through private donations. However, we all have to dip into our own pockets again and again through various fundraisers in addition to paying taxes.
We wanted a better senior senter than what we had. It was put into the budget, approved and constructed. No one argued that "they did not use the center so why should they pay for it." It was for the good of the community.
Let's do it right so we are not looking for another solution in 5 years like we are now with the pool because we used a bubble not a roof, paint not tile, etc. etc.
Turf is a win win situation for everyone in Cheshire. The field is used for many activities but mainly FOOTBALL and we want our field to show our enthusiam and commitment to the game at all levels starting with Cheshire Jr. Football!!
My son is a senior at Cheshire High School. I’ve seen the use that the current football field gets from a lot of teams as well as non-sports activities (e.g. Relay for Life). The field takes quite a beating and as a result is often in poor shape. Consequently if affects the outcomes of contests (balls bouncing every which way, kids stumble, etc.). Some of the coaches (e.g. CHS Boy’s Soccer coach) will not play on that field because of this. But the boy’s soccer field isn’t much better and I’ve seen players injured by getting their feet caught in ruts.
CHS is losing out on opportunities to host post-season play (which generates revenue!) because we don’t have a turf field. This also means that we have to bus our teams to Branford, Shelton, West Haven, etc. and the parents and fans also have to make this drive. The same thing applies to pre-season. I’ve observed that the lacrosse and soccer coaches schedule matches primarily with teams with turf fields. Again, we bus our students and force our fans to drive to other towns.
Even though my son will graduate this year I think it would be a great idea for the CHS to get a turf field. As a taxpayer I support this.
Thanks
Mark Yingling
14 Glen Ct.
Turf is a great idea. Greatly improves the current field quality with no limitations due to weather or overuse. I don't know the costs vs the $'s avialable, but take a look how Wethersfield HS did it, it's the best layout I've seen. They extended the turf outside the football field to include an additonal playing field.
As a taxpayer in Cheshire, I strongly support the turf field project in Cheshire. I will benefit the Youth organizations, marching band, as well as the High School programs.
Having a turf field at Cheshire High School makes a tremendous amount of sense. Others have listed the reasons in earlier posts, so I won't rehash them here. But I wanted to convey a sense of urgency to our governor. The turf field is long overdue and if the bond package is vetoed by Governor Rell, another opportunity may not become available for quite some time.
I feel that Cheshire school and community is long over due for a turf facility. The quality of turf fields today make for a better and safer playing surface for a wide variety of sports. The High School and Youth programs will benefit tremendously. I am glad that someone has finally stepped up and put our kids well being first.
carl gendron,
This is a project that is long overdue. As a youth coach for the last 5 years I have had the opportunity to travel across the state and this is a beneficial item we need sooner than later. Turf fields have been proven to lessen injuries and lower maintenance costs over the life of the turf. Also, this surface allows much greater use for multple purposes and in adverse weather conditions. I just came back from a Field Hockey game in Guilford and sure enough they are installing a turf field as we speak. This field makes sense from a use stand point as well as a financially beneficial to the community.
Please vote in favor of turf project. Free money for this project leaves this a "no brainer".
Turf is a MUST DO for Cheshire !
Not only is it a great plus for sports (football, lax, soccer, etc) at the high school, but it will also allow our youth teams to benefit with a high quality field to play on day or night. In traveling to other towns in CT, it now is an embarrasment when they come back to Cheshire to play. Besides sports, the band, Relay and other events would benefit by this enhancement.
Just say YES !!!
Please say yes to a turf field in Cheshire! Installing a new field is an investment in our youth, the same way that building a new community center was an investment in our seniors!
A turf field is overdue for Cheshire. The benefits such as lower ongoing maintenance costs, no pesticide or chemical fertilizer needed, fewer injuries, better play, far less susceptibility to poor weather canceling events, the ability to schedule more events without worrying about degrading the turf are numerous. If we have an opportunity to get this done, please let us seize it!
- Dave Kalbian
There is no doubt that turf benefits athletes and cheerleaders. However, a turf field will also have a positive impact on our nationally-ranked high school marching band (and related events like 'Music in Motion') and the ACS annual Relay for Life event. Everyone, not just athletes, wins with turf.
Now that I've put 2 kids through Cheshire High School , I hope that my youngest, who is a freshman at CHS can benefit from an upgrade to the athletic facilities. Quite honestly, what I've seen done in other surrounding towns over the last few years, always begged the question, when will our facilities experience such a desperately needed overhaul.
Turf for Cheshire?
It's about time!
I believe the idea of a turf field is a great idea for Cheshire. As a youth lacrosse coach, we play a good number of games on turf fields. Our kids are at a disadvantage because they don't have the opportunity to practice and play games on it. I think the surface will result in less injuries. It will also allow us another field to schedule games on.
Wow, if I didn't know better, I'd say the athletic director has been busy recruiting people to post here just as he emailed and recruited people to go to the TC meeting on the turf a while back. Notice all the posts are within minutes of each other. Wonder if he recruited them to stand in line to talk to Rell tonight too. Wouldn't surprise me.
Obviously none of these people are concerned with the health issues. Sort of sad that they don't consider their kids' health first. They just want the turf no matter what.
We pay $500,000/year in coaches stipends...just think..if they coached for less (or for free) or if we didn't have so many coaches, maybe the money we would save could be put to better use...like resodding the field (with grass).
It isn't a "free" turf field you'd get...it's taxpayers money going towards something we don't need.
Tim, many people appreciate your support of a turf facility for the town. This facility will benefit the many high school and youth sports programs as well as the band and Relay for Life. After traveling around the state coaching youth sports for the last several years, it is very apparent that our town does not have the facilities most other towns have.
Cheshire should have a facility to be proud of & a turf facility will enhance the current facility tremendously. Thank you
Let's bill each pro-turf poster $10. Then we will not need state funds better spent on roads, schools, clean water or jails
I'm tired of the oink-oink-oink pork. Essentials in CT fall apart while we buy turf fields, trials to nowhere, and million dollar sidewalks
I'm a conservative and support turf. Conservatives are for fiscal responsibility. Turf costs less to maintain, generates revenue through additional usage, and would provide a facility that would benefit the COMMUNITY in many positive ways. Now the naysayers can't blame spending, because if you are reasonable and look at the long-term effect, it's more cost effective. So now the naysayers turn to health. Problem there too. Studies show the new "sports turf" fields cut down injuries to young athletes. So now money and health is out. Where can the naysayers go next? Let's blame the athletic director. Never mind it's the athletic directors job to run the athletics program. Imagine, an athletic director trying to get people to support an athletic field that improves sports facilities, generates more revenue for the athletic program, and reduces injuries to our student-athletes. My god, he's doing his job, lets blast him for it. Lets put aside all the petty differences and see this project for what it is, a positive community project for Cheshire!
The following is pure sarcasm in response to the few posts that felt it necessary to degrade and make false allegations of those in favor of a turf field. You know the folks who try to pit those who advocate for any expenditure (including education)for the youth of the town against everyone else.
Yes, we need to pay the coaches less and have fewer of them. The few thousand dollars they get is lower than minimum wage when you divide it by the hours put in. A majority of them WOULD do it for free, because they enjoy working with your kids, teaching them teamwork and leadership.
Let's bill all of the Seniors $10 each to defray the cost of the new center. The old one was fine. Let's hire less people for there and pay them less, and offer less activities. Or they can choose refund a portion of the huge profit they will make when selling their home because people will pay a high price to move to a town that highly values education (while underfunding it) and youth athletics.
Let's make an anti-pork statement and refuse the funds. Do you think that is going to change the way the state spends your money? I am sure it will be refunded to all taxpayers in the 06410 zip code.
The correct avenue would be to direct your concerns to the state legislature. The problem there is that our own state representative said that Cheshire would be "fools" not to accept funding for this because the money is there for this purpose and will go to another town's turf field. (see skate park, we already had this argument!)
What do you think these kids would be doing if they were not involved in athletics, band or other after school activities that are constantly brought to the chopping block? I suppose they could get after school jobs at the evil shopping complex in the Interchange Zone.
p.s. No one recruited me to post here.
"The turf field will increase revenues?"
Say what?
Wasn't that the reason we agreed to build the pool?
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice....
Maybe we can teach the younger generation fiscal responsiblity by not spending money on a luxury item when we are on the cusp on a recession
The time has come for turf. Our fields get too much use, and turf would solve at least one problem with the main field looking like dirt field. I have been to turf fields from Bridgeport to Shelton, Branford to Madison...our time is now. Let's move Cheshire into the 21st century.
Having played on both grass and field turf i have to say that the latter is far superior. The field will help serve the needs of many of our sports and non-sports teams as well as other town activities. The funding is in place if we want it....this is a no brainer. By the by, i wasn't "recruited" to post here, I am a volunteer coach for the high school and I do not have any kids in the school system. Check it out www.fieldturf.com/product/overview.cfm
In meetings I have heard that our teams deserve the "best" facilities. Our swim teams won before the pool. Our football teams won on a grass field. To say that turf would be good for such things as Relay for Life, makes no sense, as that is a two day event once a year. Turf is a want, in a time that only needs should be addressed. What is the cost to its upkeep (it isn't free). Taxpayers "deserve" fiscal responsibility.
It's pretty obvious that all of the pro-turf comments above are organized SPAMS -- either one person repeatedly posting, or someone is getting all their friends to do it.
Notice how some of the posts are just 2-3 minutes apart. Also, they targeted this thread which had nothing to do with turf.
There is not nearly so much support in town for turf, especially with its possible health threats.
7:54 "Never mind it's the athletic directors job to run the athletics program. Imagine, an athletic director trying to get people to support an athletic field that improves sports facilities, generates more revenue for the athletic program, and reduces injuries to our student-athletes. My god, he's doing his job, lets blast him for it. Lets put aside all the petty differences and see this project for what it is, a positive community project for Cheshire!"
Read the Board of Education policy - no staff member is allowed to try to affect or influence others to support an item that impacts the budget. This means the athletic director. And yes, the turf project would impact the budget.
People should be outraged that the state is spending money on turf fields especially when it's the inside of most schools that need repairs and improvement - not the outside.
There are many studies and reports out there showing that turf does not prevent injuries. In fact some studies show that head injuries (usually caused by helmet to helmet contact) are equally occurring on turf or grass fields.
If you were really fiscally responsible you'd be asking yourself - Is this a "want" or a "need."
This is a Yes Vote for the TURF! It will be used by many different groups and is a great investment to the town of Cheshire!
I think that a turf field in Cheshire is long overdue. As a parent of field hockey and lacrosse players I think that Cheshire girls are at a disadvantage when they have to play schools that have a turf field when we do not. The game of field hockey is such a different game when played on grass vs turf. Our girls have to practice for playoff and state games on other turf fields that cost the program extra money for buses and turf field rentals. I think that a turf field would greatly benefit many different sports at the high school and our athletics would be up there with a lot of other great schools.
Regarding the GOP fundraiser (which was the original topic of this post):
At the fundraiser Governor Rell was served surf & turf. She liked the surf didn't like the turf. Since she controls the purse strings - good luck!
Look at all the other careless towns in the state that have put in or are putting in turf. Somehow they ALL made the same poor decision.
We'll show 'em in Cheshire. Stay with the good ole grass/mud field. We will be the only ones that weren't duped.
Some investments cost money. This field will not generate revenue, nor will the pool. Most all of the services the town provides are funded with taxpayer money.
Let the people with the knowledge (A.D., band director, maintenance staff) do teh research, put forth a proposal and then ask for public input. This field serves a large portion of town residents and I believe it were ever to be a referendum item, it would receive overwhelming support.
Please don't take the penny wise and pound foolish approach and do it halfway or put in an inferior product. We have seen with the pool how that costs more in the end.
I think that the turf will cost less than two years of pool subsidy. Not fair to compare the two projects. The pool was a reckless project that the town has paid a lot for. The turf, funded by the state, will save the town money and generate rental income that can be saved for replacement in 10-15 years.
Generate rental income? Please explain in detail. What is the rental charge for the current field? What is the annual rental income for the current field? Outline all the expenses that need to be deducted from the income. What would be the rental charge for a turf field? Annual rental income for turf field?
If you can't answer these questions specifically, then don't try saying the rental income from a turf field will pay for any replacement costs down the road.
Interesting reading, all of the educrats line up to voice their opinion on an issue. They use the same method on the blog as they do at council meetings, everyone show up with pet project tee shirt on and cry, complain and whine.
We should privatise the school system, parents that have kids in school can pay the going rate per child; like 10,000 per year per kid. Let true capitalism determine really how good the school system is. With to kids in school that will be $20,000 plus average real estate taxes of $5500.00. Just write a check every July 1st for $25,500.00. Let us then see what happens.
Now did the republicans show projections that indicated that the pool would break even. Were they worth the paper they were printed on. The turf will generate some rental income, less that $10k a year. Over 10-15 years $100-150k that plus reduceded maintenance cost would come close to replacement of the turf. Much closer than we will get when we replace the bubble or resurface the track or have to matain the liner trail.
If you read all these comments it sounds like the only thing our children do at school is play football. The classrooms at the schools must be in perfect shape and only the field is used. Sports are great but come on the priority here doesn't make sense.
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