Two items in Friday’s Derrick had me again thinking about our many regional assets and how we support them.
The first was a letter to the editor from Ray Hagstrom under the heading “Astronomical Society deserves our Support.
The second was an article by Matt Carroll on Page 5 under the headline “Cranberry Township Scratches up $2,000 for Humane Society.”
In his letter to the editor, Mr. Hagstrom expressed the need to support the Oil Region’s Astronomical Society observatory located at Two Mile Run County Park. In essence, Mr. Hagstrom made the claim that the observatory is a tremendous resource for Venango County and that it deserved the support of our elected officials.
He’s right of course.
Mr. Hagstrom was not talking financial support in his letter, but providing the Astronomical Society a lease that truly meets there needs and desires and the future of the observatory.
Financial support for a regional asset was the issue in the article by Matt Carroll on page 5.
Cranberry Township Supervisor Fred Bucholz was quoted in the article as saying it is unfair that some municipalities and not others contribute to the operations of the Venango County Humane Society.
He’s right of course.
(Point of disclosure: my wife is a long-time board member of the Venango County Humane Society)
Oil City has always contributed to the Humane Society, as has Franklin. They and other municipalities like Cranberry recognize the importance of supporting the society’s many functions, some of which would have to be performed by government if the society did not exist.
There’s a basic fairness issue here. Every municipality derives benefit, whether it contributes or not.
That was an argument I made when the backers of the regional nonprofit grant center came to Oil City Council and asked for financial support. I favored providing some limited support, but also felt the backers had the obligation to seek funding from every municipality, and all the county’s municipalities had an obligation to contribute.
There are many other regional assets that we ought to think about providing for on a regional basis as well, notably our recreational facilities.
Currently there is a county-wide recreational study under way. It is an opportunity to take a hard look at what we have and how we fairly support it. Today, most of the recreational facilities in the county are owned and largely solely supported by individual municipalities, but benefit and serve residents from a much wider area.
Regional assets deserve our support, our uniform and universal support. Fairness demands it, our future ability to maintain what we have throughout the county depends on it.
So what do you think?
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2 comments:
In theory, I agree. In practice, I think that all any one board or group can do is consider whether they should support an initiative or not.
Way too many deliberative bodies in Venangoland waste time arguing about what they think OTHER groups should do. Sitting on any board or governing body, you have input only for your own group. You can be sad, I suppose, that you think others aren't doing their fair share or that you weren't asked nicely enough or that things didn't unfold as you think they should have.
But at the end of the day, the only question you're going to answer is, "Should my group support this or not?" And that question should be settled on the merits of the undertaking. The rest of these elements belong in an argument about how to share a snack on a grade school playground, not in the discussions of community leaders.
(Note: I have made a few gentle edits to this post.
References to particular individuals were removed in order to focus on the broader issue raised by the poster. I also removed the poster’s name at the end because I’m assuming if they posted as anonymous, that is what they wanted. – JNB)
Mr. Bartlett,
You are correct. We should support our assets. Venango County has a ton to offer & we ignore it or others make fun of those that are attempting to do a good thing. Case in point: The Latonia Theater.
I have read with interest some of the recent letters to the editor from those on High (opposing a recent entertainer).
My mother brought us up in a Christian home where we were taught not to judge others. That isn't our job nor are we qualified to do it!
My husband & I have attended events at the Latonia. Whatever this agenda is that some are referring to must be visable only to them and their narrow minded judgmental friends.
Bringing back this beautiful building & opening it up to our area is a great gift. This we should be thankful for & not protesting.
History is a very important part of Venango County. Let us welcome it & thank those that are bringing it back to us or helping to preserve it.
The last time I checked the only perfect person lived 2000 years ago.
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