What Judge Haas' decision means to the parks and recreation district is crystal clear.
When the golf course was expanded from 18 to 27 holes, the debt on the course went from about 2 million dollars to about 7.2 million dollars. When the City added the extra nine holes, they ended up having to rebuild the whole course, all 27 holes.
Mayor Cicchinelli knew the City could not afford to pay the 7.2 million dollar debt. Payments are due until 2032.
Massillon's Mayor for Life made a choice. His council rubber stamps, all the Democrats on council at the time, unloaded the city's golf course on to the parks and recreation board, so that the park board would be saddled with this unsustainable debt load. They did it the week before Christmas, 2002.
The truth is, the parks tax does not generate enough money to subsidize the golf course and its debt, the recreation center, and the city's park system. As a result, our parks have fallen into disrepair and have not received even basic maintenance and upkeep.
Something has to give.
Don't worry, the Mayor has a plan...
