Discrimination against Non-Residents Abuses Voter-Approved State Bond Funds

[Dennis C. During]

New Rochelle City government is trying to discriminate against the non-residents whose money paid for the acquisition of Ward Acres Park.  The City proposes to charge $50 per dog for residents and $250 per dog for non-residents for a permit to have dogs use the park under rather limited hours.  Under the terms of the acquisition of the park land, access to the park is not supposed to favor New Rochelle residents over other residents of New York State.  The bond funds used were approved by the voters of the State of New York for the acquisition of "open space".  If the City of New Rochelle didn't want to have the land under those restrictions, they shouldn't have taken the money.  If the courts or others over-rule the voters on this, I would guess that voters wouldn't readily accept the sales pitches offered for other New York State bond issue.

 

I would hope that all New York State voters would want to be able to count on their wishes being respected when they approve bonds.

 

They should let New York State officials know their feelings about this.

 

 

Dennis C. During

dcdu...@gmail.com

(914) 663-8203