The official line from Parks and Recreation Czar Kenn Kaminski in regards to the tragic state of our parks is that our problems are the result of "Park Vandals." No, it isn't a result of a lack of funds, because our park tax dollars are helping to prop up the golf course. It's the vandals. No, the problem is not a lack of money because Glenn Gamber, David Hersher, Dave McCune, Ron Mang, and Larry Slagle voted to spend $199,000 of our park tax dollars on Club Legends, the restaurant at the golf course, without having a business plan. It's the vandals. Let us hope these "park vandals" have not snuck into the Massillon Recreation Center, too...
Uh Oh, Houston, we have a problem. One of our loyal Massillon Review readers sent us a report from the Massillon Recreation Center.
According to our faithful reader, "the rowing machine has been this way for a few weeks. There are a total of 6 elliptical units (first 3 without arms & the second 3 with arms). The below #3 unit is going on its 3rd week out of order. Further, the #2 elliptical (like the #3 below unit) is the only one that is battery operated. Its battery, the resistance, and incline have all been messed up since February, 2010. Since the start of 2010, all six of these elliptical have had on and off repair problems. Member demand for these ellipticals is high, and although there are six of them, most members never even use the battery operated unit because of its poor condition. Although several members have asked for these to be fixed, it's not getting done."
What our reader doesn't realize is that we must now be facing "Rec Center Vandals." Rec Center Vandals are an awful lot like "Park Vandals," except they like to be indoors.
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Actually, the machines are in perfect shape. Our reader must be Anti-Cicchinelli.
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"There is no doubt the parks and recreation department is getting more criticism this year (than in the past)," he said. "I think the reason is two things. One there will also be anti- (Mayor Frank) Cicchinelli people. If he says the sky is blue they will say it is green and, two, there are people who are continually looking for something to pick on."
- Parks Director Kenn Kaminski, The Independent, May 10, 2010.
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Not only is the Recreation Center subsidized with our tax dollars, but to use it, one must pay a membership fee as well. Hey Kenn, the machines are broke. It's not that people are "anti-Cicchinelli." It's that the machines are broke. Do your job. Get them fixed.
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You know, we never have any complaints about the condition of the golf course. We certainly realize what is a city priority, and what is not.
