The County Executive and County Council are currently preparing the FY2012 budget which will go into effect on July 1, 2011. Considering the continued strain on financial resources, I am sure that the budget will be carefully scrutinized.
Over the past 18 months, the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism has lost 40% of our funding. The services rendered by our Department cost our citizens just $11 per person while the average in other Maryland Counties is $40. Further erosion of the tax subsidy will compromise our ability to provide the programs and services enjoyed by Wicomico County residents.
It is healthy to engage in a discussion with those who benefit from the services we provide to assure a greater understanding of what the costs are and the value received. For this purpose, an open meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29th at 7:00 PM in the Midway Room of the Youth & Civic Center.
I encourage you and your neighbors to attend this important meeting.
Gary W. Mackes, Director
Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism
7 comments:
We get a lot of bang for our buck out of those folks. Mr. Mackes has his critics, but he teaches his people to really squeeze every dollar. We have some really nice parks.They hiked up the fees they charge for sports leagues this year, but that's better than loosing them. It's going to be another tough year in 2012.
anonymous 12:34, AMEN to that.
Pork In the Park, Bike Week activities, Wine Fest, the multitude of softball tournaments are just a couple of the revenue generating events that justify this department. We all know how much the State of MD does to attract out of state business to set up shop here.... May as well let Gary and team keep doing what they do get out of state dollars into Wicomico County. Tourism is better than nothing and I see a lot of nothing (as we criminalize agriculture). Ricky- Let this resource dwindle and we will be sorry. Cut some BS feel good hand out program instead. People need to stand on their own two feet and suck it up. All one needs to do is look at the dignified people of Japan right now for an example!!
of all the county departments i would say this has got to be the gem of them all.they always seem to make do with whatever comes down the pipe!i would say gary has the most expertise in overseeeing a budget of any county department head.
Mr. Mackes can indeed squeeze every cent out of every dollar, but he has two big blemishes on his record that I can't seem to get out of my mind:
1. The $1.5 million parking lot
2. The West Metro Core Park
He is a believer in "Free" grant money and that really bothers me. Other than those two issues, he does provide some quality facilities and activities on a restricted budget.
people need recreation, what we don't need are fire boats and what not.
there is so much wanton waste out there, but they keep using something we all enjoy as leverage to bundle tax dollars.
Here's a tip, stop attracting all of society's freeloaders to salisbury with free food and housing.
every time i drive downtown it's like watching a march of the living dead going into go-getters and all the other food banks.
i see mercedes and suv's parked at joeseph house.
they've got better rides than me, and i work for a living.
maybe cut back on food stamps too.
flame suit is on.
just be glad wicomico county has a man as agressive as mackes to keep a very strong pulse on whats going on in annapolis as for as program open space and other agendas concerning wicomico county.
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