Welcome.
To all of you who ask "Where do my tax dollars go?"
Whether you are from Carmel, NY, or not, READ ON.
You will see the similarities in your hometown, & hopefully will want to SPEAK OUT!

Monday, November 1, 2010

MAHOPAC SPORTS ASSOCIATION, LOBBY OR NOT?

Mahopac Sports Association sports club or lobby? - October 2010

For the past four years the Carmel Town Board has given a yearly average of $90,000 to the Mahopac Sports Association. According to the Parks Director, MSA is not required nor have they given a statement of how these taxpayer funds are used. In addition, the town pays tens of thousands of dollars each year for the upkeep of the sport’s fields that are primarily used by MSA.

In the 2009 Carmel Town Board Council election, MSA endorsed with mailings both Mr. Lombardi & Ms. McDonough, who are now council members. Early this year both freshman members joined with their colleagues supporting the construction of a community center. This project, at a cost of at least 5 million dollars, was brought to the board by the Carmel Recreation/Parks Director and Advisory Committee Chairperson.

The Carmel Recreation/Parks Advisory Committee Chairperson is also the President of MSA. One of the responsibilities of this committee is to make decisions regarding maintenance & development of existing parks. This same committee worked on a “2008 Master Plan” to improve and/or build additional parks that would cost over 11 million dollars. All these parks would include sports’ fields that would benefit MSA and be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The definition for lobby is: a group of persons who work or conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislature to vote according to the group's special interest.

You decide whether you believe MSA is just a sports association or is also a lobby. Which ever you conclude take note of this year’s elections and see if any candidates are endorsed by Mahopac Sports Association.

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