New Park Board

[Greg Sporico-Foxford]

Do these guys do anything? They campaigned that everything will be free. I still paid for Fall Fest. What happened to thier fields that would be in by summers end. What happened to thier army of volunteers? They were scouring for help with Fall Fest and employees ended up doing everything anyway. They changed the meeting days so it wouldn't interfare with softball playoffs. We should have seen this coming. 0 dollars have come in for the state when all other surrounding communities got thier fair share. The only thing they did was pay the designers for a Round Barn community meeting that was actually done a year ago. It has been long enough that they should have thier mark on something but you don't even remember who is on it anymore. What a joke. I bet they will vote to waive mens softball fees though.

[What A Joke]

is right. They have not done a damn thing. and Julie is STILL there. what a crock.

[Anonymous]

I would see that part of the problem is that Julie is still there. She has burned so many bridges that people don't want to go anwhere near her. I don't care who is part of the park board she is still running the day to day and that needs to go. Besides there were likely commitments for Fall Fest already in place that they had to follow through with. Fall Fest wasn't bad. It had a few more offerings but still WAY too pricey for a community festival especially given the circumstances.

[Manhattan Momo]

I didn't go to that fest because of the price. What was it, like $10 buck for everybody older that 2?? Screw that, I'm a family of 5, then all food and fun. It adds up. A lot of fest's are free to get in.

[Another day]

I guess this park board did not get the same message as the last park board, "get off your asses or get out"!

[MICHAEL]

The town is very expensive, check your tax bill mine just went up again?? What are we getting for that?? it all starts with the Mayor and trickles down from there. getting very expensive to live in Manhattan.

[Rethink]

How does it start with the Mayor? The schools,library and park are a huge chunck of your taxes. The villages part of your tax bill is a small portion. I think we have great schools and am willing to pay for that, if you are not you should look into moving to another town then.

[Simon McCarthey]

The old board got things done. There was progress. They brought in a program center, round barn, Planned for a sports complex out there that Bob Surdey scratched because he didn't like it. No voting on it. The volunteers they spoke of.... They did not even go to wine fest or the fall fest (which was planned and approved meaning the price by them). Us taxpayers paid to have park employees work these functions. Like them or not, the old board were always front and center to take the heat at any event. These guys are a joke and they have set us back years because of thier incompetence. I beg all of you to pay attention in the months to come when the Mens Softball contract is brought to the board. I bet they vote to waive fees. This was thier only intention because the old board made men's softball pay. But you john doe taxpayer will continue to pay for your kid to attend a program. Bob Surdey has spent more money on frivilous things and unnecessary contracts in 6 months for things he likes than the last board did in thier terms combined. Because of thier lack of passion for thier positions, the barn is soon to be condemned because they put the money elsewhere. Surdey is a crook, gave the contracts to his crews he uses as Bob Surdey Construction. The kicker is he has no plans to be here in a year as he is headed to Arizona. Just enough time to make pocket change and run. Our kids suffer because a bunch of people don't like Julie. It is sad.

[MICHAEL]

rethink...what do you mean it starts with the mayor question?? He makes discessions that reflect business and aother things in town. i have lived here 9 years and the only thing that has stayed here in town is the tax increases?? I have seen business come and go. I have to spend my money in connetecting towns where business is booming. New Lenox on Larway now has McDonalds, Jewel that Manhattan resedents are spending thier money to keep thier taxes down while ours continues to raise. I will agree that the schools are great but the village and park distric throw a fall fest and then still charge $10.00 a person where was the resident discount if you live in town?? Thats crap!! I love Manhattan but the park district and the Village board members need to make desiccions that is best for everybody....NOT THE MEMBERS! And im not moving either.

[Former NL]

I don't think the village had a say so in the cost of Fall Fest but could have influnced the cost of admission.$10 was too steep for my family but we did go! I will say they did have more to offer than last year. The real question is what is the park district doing with all the tax money? The wine fest was a fund raiser for the Round Barn. I haven't seen any work being done and have seen nothing in the paper about any plans. I have not seen or heard of much the new board has done. The same old programs are offered. Nothing for the pre-teens and teens. Heck! There website doesn't even work!

MICHAEL wrote:

rethink...what do you mean it starts with the mayor question?? He makes discessions that reflect business and aother things in town. i have lived here 9 years and the only thing that has stayed here in town is the tax increases?? I have seen business come and go. I have to spend my money in connetecting towns where business is booming. New Lenox on Larway now has McDonalds, Jewel that Manhattan resedents are spending thier money to keep thier taxes down while ours continues to raise. I will agree that the schools are great but the village and park distric throw a fall fest and then still charge $10.00 a person where was the resident discount if you live in town?? Thats crap!! I love Manhattan but the park district and the Village board members need to make desiccions that is best for everybody....NOT THE MEMBERS! And im not moving either.