No After-School Programs but Plenty of Empty Buildings

The County Commissioners have ended the after-school program at the parks.

Why?

According the the commission, the county can no longer afford the program but the parks department can build an additional gym at the Brandon Community Center and a whole new complex at Fish Hawk.

Yes, I understand the after-school programs and the money for the new buildings come out of two different pots of money that cannot be mixed. I have attended the parks department presentations on the justifications for new buildings.  Supposedly, the gyms and recreation buildings will bring in additional funds so that the park’s department will be financially independent.

I have a question, if parents cannot afford to pay for after-school programs, how does the parks department expect parents to spend money to pay for recreational programs?

So I have a suggestion.

Instead of spending money on buildings that the county cannot afford to hire personnel for and have empty buildings, why not spend money to retro fit the parks buildings to generate solar energy?

If the buildings are empty, then the electricity that is generated can be sold to TECO and, guess what?  Income will be generated that does not come from taxpayers and can be spent on things such as after-school programs for our children.

If you agree with me or have other suggestions, call the County Commissioners at   813-272-5660 or e-mail them at www.hillsboroughcounty.org/about/contactus.cfm.

If you e-mail, e-mail ALL the commissioners