So once again the People's Republic of Amherst has a Field of Dreams--errrrr, I mean wheat, growing smack dab in the middle of Kendrick Park.
The Kendrick Park Committee is issuing their report about what to do with the donated landscape and cheered the Town Mangler's sorry attempt at a skating rink. Last year we spent thousands in DPW labor and got only one or two days of skating out of the deal; way cheaper to have rented ice time from the Mullins Center.
Maybe this winter Mr. Shaffer should hire a expert consultant to create an outdoor skating rink.
Ironic isn't it? Larry Shaffer loves the Rockwellian idea of an open small-town public skating rink for families to enjoy, but he bullies the July 4'th Parade Committee by withholding police and fire vehicles because he wants anti-war protesters to get the free publicity paid for on the Parade Committee's dime.
Last year's fiasco
If I didn't know better, I'd say Shaffer's eviction of the Boy Scouts from Kendrick Park was a gambit to get them to finance his field of wheat... if you built it they will come.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the scuttlebutt on the grand compromise (AKA work around Shaffer's incompetent arbitration skills) between town government and parade committee? Seriously Larrey, don't bogart the juicy rumors.
Yawn!
ReplyDelete1. There were numerous days that the Ice at Kendrick Park was useable to skate on last year.
ReplyDelete2. Thousands of DPW $ towrds the project? Doubtful.
Two and sometimes three guys spending many hours holding a hose adds up pretty quick (especially when you factor in all those hidden costs called "employee benefits".)
ReplyDeleteSo anything over $2,000 means the word "thousands" applies.
Just like it may actually have been THREE days that it was skate worthy, so I guess your use of the word "numerous" could also apply...I guess.
"Two and sometimes three guys spending many hours holding a hose adds up pretty quick (especially when you factor in all those hidden costs called "employee benefits"
ReplyDeleteOne guy holding the hose, one guy talking about the guy holding the hose, one guy talking about the guy talking about the guy holding the hose... and a bunch of egomaniacs driving by under the influence of prozac or some such...
No wonder...
Yeah, and not to mention the ever-so brave Anons making Comments from the peanut gallery.
ReplyDelete"Yeah, and not to mention the ever-so brave Anons making Comments from the peanut gallery."
ReplyDeleteTotally. What a dump.
2 or 4 or 3 white anonymous males posting in drag... just as you like it L a r r e y. wink wink
ReplyDeleteWHAT'S THE SCUTTLEBUTT ON THE GRAND COMPROMISE (AKA WORK AROUND SHAFFER'S INCOMPETENT ARBITRATION SKILLS) BETWEEN TOWN GOVERNMENT AND PARADE COMMITTEE? SERIOUSLY LARREY, DON'T BOGART THE JUICY RUMORS.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there's going to be a "grand compromise," unless the town comes to its senses (not always a good bet.)
ReplyDeleteThe Parade Committee has ALREADY compromised by allowing any legit organization to carry a sign identifying their group (even if the name is anti-war.)
If the town can't make an exception and allow town equipment this year when BOTH public safety chiefs are retiring, then Amherst really is "A town without pity"
Let's hope that Larry, the eternal optimist, is finally wrong!
ReplyDeleteAct for the best, hope for the best and take what comes. If death ends all we cannot meet death any better.
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