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Councilman Cox holds second meeting on North Avenue proposal

By John Roach

Councilman Bill Cox, with the help of Councilwoman Rose Mary Christian, last night held a second meeting on the proposed Batavia City School Districts plans for a sports complex at the end of North Street.

The purpose of the meeting was to rally continued support against the plan and to lay out a plan of action to be taken, which includes:

Encouraging people to contact all of the members of the Board of Education and tell them they do not support this plan.

Encourage people to attend the Oct. 6th Board of Education meeting on the sports complex to voice their opposition.

Campaigning against School Board members running for re-election who support this plan.

Mary E DelPlato

there arent enough fields in Blahtavia? What will that for me will that entertain this dull life? We need job growth not feilds, circles and signs. Just another way to spend money. Id like to see that monye go to a poor family to like say buy things. Oh is this coming from school tax revunue? Does that mean theres a surplus?

Sep 17, 2009, 10:17am Permalink
Mike Freeman

It was an interesting speech, to say the least. I had hoped to learn more about the project from Mr Cox. An attempt at compromise would have been nice. What I heard was a rally cry to fight the people that intend to "destroy our community" with the project. He said that we must "go on the offensive" because "this is a war" and we will win through letters and emails.
I guess I don't see it that way. I see an opportunity to improve for our children what is already there and is already in use. Level playing fields that kids can run and play on without fear of injury. Adequate parking so that neighbors do not have to endure cars parked on their lawns and in their driveways. A nice walking path or track to promote exercise. When children have places to play in the city, won't they be less apt to get into trouble? Organized sports improve a child's health as well as their character. These attributes will help our city, not destroy it. I only hope that my neighbors will consider the benefits before starting their war. War is not fun. This I know all too well.

Sep 17, 2009, 11:54am Permalink
Mark Potwora

Mike you must know this but the city has alot of parks to run and play in..Only problem is you never see alot of kids running or playing in them..We have sidewalks all over the city to walk on to promote exercise.With all the parks in Batavia kids still get in trouble..Mr.Cox is right we have to fight an over sized bloated school system in Batavia...Sell the land,create some tax base,help the city taxpayer out..Do you remember River St.The school district bought land over there to build a new school,good thing the taxpayer said NO..Was a waste of money,they lost money on selling that land..All you ever hear from them is don't worry its someone else's money we are going to spend.Its all taxpayers dollars any way you slice it..The city of Batavia has allready said NO..Sounds to me that its the school board that is at war with us..

Sep 17, 2009, 12:21pm Permalink
Mark Janofsky

Please read the school district’s athletic fields report. Find it at: http://www.bataviacsd.org/news.cfm It’s obvious by some of the comments there’s a misunderstanding or lack of knowledge on the issue.

Quite frankly, I’m surprised at Mr. Cox’s hard line stance against this. Being a father, USAFR Major, Businessman and Councilman, I’d think he’d look for a way to satisfy his constituents and the school district’s needs.

Sep 17, 2009, 1:24pm Permalink
John Roach

Mark,
A few weeks ago you wondered how to get onto a committee. Howard has how posted now. There are a number of them looking for people.

Sep 17, 2009, 4:46pm Permalink
dan del plato

Hey people did yoy know it cost 9000.00 to educate a student in the Batavia School System! That's $3000.00 more than the national average! Right now unemployment is 9.7% and is projected to go higher!!! We needed to curb spending especially taxpayers money! Hell! I'm curbing my spending government has to do the same!

Sep 17, 2009, 8:56pm Permalink

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