Dear Council-Person. Gill,
I appreciate the time you dedicate to this town and I feel that I must share with you, the impacts of your decisions. I write to you today in regards to the answer to a question you fielded at the recent budget presentation.
Someone asked why the hours at Crandall swimming area were cut. You quickly attested to the fact, and I paraphrase here, that, “nobody was there during those hours.” It never occurred to me at that time that you could possibly be referring to a time that there are families there, because of your emphatic ‘nobody’ statement, or I would have jumped up to respond at that moment.
Yesterday, my wife asked me if I had seen the new hours at Crandalls. I responded to her that I had heard of this at the budget meeting but assured her they were hours that ‘nobody’ was there. My wife said, “Do you know that they cut the hours that you usually spend time with the boys teaching them to swim?” I was flabbergasted.
I write to you today because the reduction in hours does affect me and my family, as well as others in town who work and have limited daylight hours with their children, others in town that, like you, have a young family they want to enjoy quality time with when they return home from a long day’s work, and find comfort on hot, humid summer days. Crandall Park and its wonderful recreational opportunities for families with children was one of the reasons that we chose to move to Tolland.
Last year we bought a pass to Crandalls. I felt it was good investment, given the number of times we visited over the course of the year. Often, I would get out of work at 5pm and race down to the park. I would change into my bathing suit and spend an hour with my kids, teaching them how to swim, splashing in the water and just being a dad. Here is a video of my experience. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_nlYalnzak
We were not the only nobodies to enjoy the hours from 4-6pm. There were several families, many from our neighborhood and many from our faith community, taking their kids to benefit from one of the only places in town where you can enjoy the beautiful hot weather of summer without the comforts of an in-ground pool.
Tonight I feel like “Nobody” and you know why?
Because when you answered the question weeks ago and said that the reason is, “Nobody is there during those hours”, you were talking about me.
As a leader in our community, we look to you to speak the truth. You made this statement obviously without fact or direct experience and now many residents (including my young family) have lost a great opportunity for family fun and comfort. Our summers will not be the same. I request that you and the rest of the Town Council seriously reconsider this decision.
When we visit the Town beach in Charlestown, RI, the life guards make an announcement at 5pm, “the life guards are now “off duty”, and anyone who chooses to swim, does so at their own risk.” The Town beach parking area is then locked at 9:00 PM to preclude beach access after those hours. I would urge you to consider (with the rest of the Council) that perhaps leaving the gate “open” for the rest of the people in town would offer a solution for our ongoing budgetary dilemma.
Sincerely,
Jeff Champagne
