The Ruckus Room - Recreation, REALLY!!!!!!

This is the message that was sent out yesterday!!!!!

PLEASE BE ADVISED! THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL ARE TALKING ABOUT ELIMINATING ALL CITY RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO BASKETBALL, BASEBALL, FOOTBALL, SOCCER, SENIOR CITIZENS PROGRAMS AND ETC

Last night at the City Council meeting there was an uproar from the residents of Paterson regarding the possilibility of funds for Recreation being cut, how is this even a thought? Paterson is over-run with violence and crime and cutting programs from recreation will only add to the problem. We don't have enough for our youth to do as it is and now the administration wants to add to the problem by taking what little is there and putting them out on the street with nothing to do.

“This is not a recreation issue, this is a human issue, this is an issue about the future of our city,” said Benji Wimberly. “This is not about football, basketball, and after school programs, it’s about our future.”

When youth lack recreation they will be often be “raising hell” on the streets, said Kenyatta Stewart. He said kids need recreational opportunities.

“I don’t think any council member will support any cuts in recreation,” said Morris. He said he does not want to be accused of cutting programs for city youths.

Councilman Kenneth Morris said putting $585,000 into the recreation budget will not be an easy task. Wimberly’s letter to the mayor and city council members requests half-million dollars to bring recreation funding to the same level it was 17 years ago.

And as usual......

Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres could not immediately be reached for comments; a message was left with his secretary.