Let water park be private endeavor
by Bob Young, Tracy
Jul 13, 2012 | 4848 views | 15 15 comments | 11 11 recommendations | email to a friend | print
Let water park be private endeavor

EDITOR,

I enjoyed Dave Helm’s op-ed in last week’s Tracy Press about the proposed water park (His Voice, “Put swim center to a vote”).

If there is a need and demand for such a facility in Tracy, let it be built. But let it be built and operated by private industry, not by the city of Tracy.

Remember, city employees are people who get paid for the 20 years they work, then who continue to get paid for the rest of their lives after they retire. The last thing we want to do is add more such employees to the city payroll. Private business will run a water park for a fraction of the long-term costs to the city.
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Comments
(15)
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Rich33
|
August 04, 2012
Who ever wrote "Let water park be private endeavor" is misinformed about public employee retirements.

The statement, "Remember, city employees are people who get paid for the 20 years they work, then who continue to get paid for the rest of their lives after they retire.", is not true at all. The city does pay into employees retirement but once the employee retires he or she is paid by the retirement program such as PERS. PERS makes their money by investing the employee and cities contributions.

Please get your information straight before you spread untruths.

Reply
Ornley_Gumfudgen
|
August 04, 2012
As a possible alternate construction suggestion, take a look at http://www.arthurspools.com/above_ground_pool_information/olympic_pool_size.htm

It might be possible ta construct it so it could be quickly moved in bad weather.

Just a thought ta possibly reduce costs.
Reply
indpntConsrvtv
|
August 03, 2012
The city should just worry about getting out of the way. I don't know ANY local, state, federal government agency that operates as well as it should and saves money. If it's going to be built, let the private money do it. While the city should invest in the plans and do it's share to entice businesses. If the city runs it, we will be paying lifeguards salaries for the rest of our lives. This town desperately needs attractions, restaurants and businesses other than on Grantline Rd. I'm an entrepreneur and a student and If I see that this town will not invest in providing opportunitinies and eliminating red tape for those that want to do something that A. will help profit from it's investment B. provide a service for the community, then I will move to another city that does. Dear local politicians; get out of the way of business. Stop worrying about running for re-election, if your doing a good job and city progresses, we will vote you back in. If you don't want to provide serve the public. Step down and let someone else do it!!!
Reply
RedHotChilliPeppers
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August 03, 2012
They pretty much are out of the way. And if they can figure out how to do the same thing they did with the Grand Theatre, I don't see what the problem is?

It worked in one place, it should work here too.
RedHotChilliPeppers
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August 03, 2012
Would someone let me knowhave if they pay lifegaurds, for life?

If so, I'm going to move to Hawaii and spawn a new career.
1219tracy
|
July 24, 2012
OMG! Just build the pool already. Other towns around us are building parks,shopping malls...and Tracy is falling apart. I've never seen adults act like such babies. The comments on this site are so surprising that adults actually believe this stuff. There is nothing to do in this town, there is nothing for families, teenagers...to do. This town is dying. Tracy needs more restaurants, stores and attractions. The more that's here will attract more business, the more business you have the more people will come and spend money here. Right now people are going outside of Tracy and spending money in other cities. Seriously don't you want the revenue to stay here?
Reply
Sneaky
|
July 24, 2012
Yes, other towns around us built lots of stuff over the years. We can see how well that worked out for Stockton. I would argue that fiscal caution is the sign of adults, not babies.

There is plenty to do in this town. I have two kids and we never lack for things to do, between soccer, swimming lessons, mothers clubs, the library, parks, etc we stay plenty busy.

How many restaraunts and stores does one need? I have been here 8 years and still have yet to visit even half of them.

I would be happy with revenue staying here but I dont see why it cant now. Very rarely do I feel the need to travel out of town to get what I need. Plus this isnt about revenue in this case. The pool would be a money loser, not a source of revenue. That is why no private entity would build it. Unlike government, they are not into throwing away money.
1219tracy
|
July 25, 2012
Sneaky-I have no idea why you think the water park would be a money loser. Everyone I know is dying for something to do and people rarely stay in town, especially in the summer, because there is nothing to do here. The water park would attract people from other cities not just Tracy. Other people would come here and spend money at other business' in town. It would give people a reason to come here.

The things you mentioned that keep you busy may work for a family with young children, but it doesn't for teenagers.

So I guess your idea is to do nothing and let the town die. Revenue doesn't stay here because there isn't anything here to keep it. It's great Macy's is here, but Macy's can't do it all by itself. I'm glad you feel you don't need to travel outside of Tracy, but you're in the minority.
TrashyNewspaper
|
July 15, 2012
I don't think the Tracy Press cares about Tracy anymore. Anytime some PRIVATE VENTURE offers to build a nice swim facility the FIENDS OF CARNEGIE sue the city and the TrashyPress.com goes and prints some of the stupidest letters ever written. False truths and blatant lies.

By the way. FEINDS OF CARNEGIE tried to run for office a few years back and was supported, unsuccessfully, by the TrashyPress. That should help people understand where the opposition comes from.

Sickening if you think how hatful people can become over a lost election.
Reply
orange_crush
|
July 15, 2012
I do not think we want to let a private company run our parks and if we did we should, at least, build the park first. I mean that because we honestly do need a swimming pool. Why does it need a vote? I did not read the other article? What did it say? There is no need for a vote since it is a replacement for the old pool. Remember the Pinkie Pool? People did NOT need to vote. Good grief! What is this world coming to?

Never mind. I want to address a few other points and here we go.

My family recently visited a swim center in another nearby city and I asked the lifeguards if they ge tcity payroll for 20 years and continue to get paid for the rest of their lives.

They replied by telling me that Social Security probably will not be around when they retire and the Lifeguard job was not guaranteeing them to be paid next year. But they did admit that their employer might hire them again next summer.

I'm totally shocked at the low quality coming out of this journal and how far downhill it has gone. There are no editorials from the owner to correct what is submitted.

No wonder this high school journalism (if you even want to call it that) went bankrupt.
Reply
behonestguys
|
July 15, 2012
orange_crush:

I don't think people have a problem with a community swimming pool owned and operated by the City in general. I am sure when we were all kids we swam in community pools. The concern is having the City get into a venture where in addition to a swimming pool, lazy rivers and water slides are also built and made a part of that facility. That's where I think it is fair to say that venturing into those waters (no pun intended)is where the City would be getting into something that should be a private sector venture.
fourthofjuly
|
July 15, 2012
@behonesstguys: I don't see why not. Other cities do it. And if you hate taxes why not do what the smart people of Livermore did to support the parks in their city. I mean, instead of complaining about the cost why not get involved to help lower the cost for youth activities.

http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/board/donations.html

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fourthofjuly
|
July 15, 2012
Cool pictures of water slides. They even brought the Polar Bear Club in for a new year festivity at the Livermore water slides.

http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/aquatics/rlc.html

http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/aquatics/info.html

RedHotChilliPeppers
|
July 15, 2012
behonestguys,

That was the most clever of similies. But I have good news that is going to be bringing the park closer to your heart. Like an ice cream truck on a summer day. The swim center is a paid for by a private sector venture. So, you do not have to worry anymore.

But I must warn you there are some bozos who will comment on here claiming that $20 million dollars is a bribe.

I trust by your comment that you are a lot smarter than that tomfoolery, so just FYI.

orange_crush
|
July 16, 2012
Hey be honest guy. Be honest! The city does not have to pay for the swim center. Surland is paying for it. And also giving the land for the swim center.

What else did you want? A free slurpee on opening day?


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