More proof that the North County Times has its head way up it’s own . . . well, you know: In a “roses and raspberries” piece they gave the City of Carlsbad a “raspberry” for “its attempt to use the proposed $1 trillion federal economic stimulus to build a skate park.” Here’s what they said:
Funny, we are under the impression that this money is supposed to go toward infrastructure projects. You know, things like interstate highways, ports, bridges, airports. Projects that might actually benefit the country as a whole, not just serve parochial —- and comparatively insignificant —- interests.
Since it appears the editors of the paper don’t understand much of anything: The Alga Skatepark (swim complex and park) is Carlsbad’s number one project and any money the City Council can find should be used to build it as soon as possible. To say that skateboarding and a place for kids to learn to swim is a “comparatively insignificant interest” in North County is just plain ignorant.
Then again, with the way the newspaper business is going currently, we probably won’t have the North County Times to worry about for much longer.
[Link: North County Times]
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
The first of Oceanside’s three planned public skateparks opened a few weeks back, and it is clearly a hit with skaters of all ages and abilities. So much so, it’s overcrowded. The demand certainly exists for a new skatepark in Carlsbad. I’d like to think an infrastructure project that fulfills a need in the community is anything but insignificant.
Anyone who thinks Federal tax money should go to pay for skatboard parks is an idiot. If there is really a demand, let someone take their own money and build one. They can reap the profits. There probably is not that much demand, or someone would step up to the plate and start making money hand over fist.
It is not the governments job to build entertainment complexes.
Whether a road, bridge or skate park…resources will be bought and wages will be paid, ultimately stimulating the economy. Isn’t that the idea?
Shouldn’t the recreational needs of our community be filled? We don’t all play golf… Alan!
http://carlsbadcrawl.com/?p=957
c.crawl
The goal of the economic stimulus is for 1) near-term job creation AND retention, and increased spending; and 2) longer-term economic productivity, innovation, and competitiveness.
Basically, job creation WITH long term job security. A skate park has minor short-term job creation, with mostly a few overpaid contractors. It does have high risk and thus an insurance nightmare. Unless it is made to be profitable then it is a bad economic idea. There is high demand uniquely because of where we live, but parents/kids usually end up finding some place free to skate rather than paying.
Though I would like to see something cool like this…
http://flickr.com/photos/74288833@N00/85852667
…it is just NOT a good idea at this time. 2010 should be better.
Alan lost his girl to a skater in high school.
I’m glad there’s a place to post because the NC Times sure does have its head firmly planted….um….somewhere…….they are beholden to certain interests and don’t allow free speech.
Yes, those were ignorant comments from them! I suppose the golf course would be less “parochial”??!!