It's being touted as an "outdoor entertainment venue" designed to "get kids off the coach." It will be largest vertical rope course on the East coast, consisting of four stories, 16 towers and 115 climbing elements on a 3.7 acre tract. McCreary estimated it would produce 40 new jobs, and that 60% of the participants will be drawn from outside the state. It will be combined with a beer garden and food concession.
McCreary said users will be harnessed to prevent injury. "This is safer than bowling, said McCreary, in response to a question from Council member Tara Zrinski about the advisability of combining a rope climbing course with alcohol.
I have no problem with McCreary applying for this grant, but I consider it absolutely outrageous that the state government and County Council would provide corporate welfare. This is no brownfield , although it might become one for visitors who drink and then play Tarzan on the ropes.
It also strikes me as just a tad elitist. A two-hour visit at a ropes course at Blue Mountain costs $50 per person. I doubt very many Easton south siders will be able to afford this luxury. If the county and state were really interested in getting people outside, they could install a few more sidewalks.
Council member John Goffredo was absent and cast no vote on this matter.
In other business, Executive Lamont McClure chided County Council for taking no action on a gift ban ordinance he presented two weeks ago. He was "very disappointed" that Council failed to place the matter on the agenda. "We need to do this. We need to speak with one voice abnd we need to do it as soon as possible."
Under current rules, Council members can accept tickets to sporting events and shows, even from vendors doing business with the county. He did acknowledge that Council Solicitor Chris Spadoni is reviewing this ban.
Council also received a very informative, but very lengthy presentation from the Lehigh Valley Planning Commission as well as an update from the NorCo Housing Authority. I'll summarize those expositions next week.
Did McClure also include as part of his ordnance a section that would disallow County Executives donating money to Council Candidates and vice versa. If not, all he is doing is window dressing. He should not donate to Council Candidates and they should not donate to him.
ReplyDelete1) Council can’t approve the gift ban until they get their season passes for approving the funds for the rope course.
Delete2). Are we expecting that same council to amend McClure’s proposal to stop him from funding their campaigns? That would be nice but it’s not happening.
3). Similarly, are we expecting McClure to support banning the Executive from buying Council members? Not holding my breath on that either.
Was this grant approval brought and recommended to council by the administration?
ReplyDeleteHmm. A dangerous rope climbing course and beer garden. What could go wrong?
ReplyDeleteI’d have to agree that “getting kids off the coach” is a very good idea.
ReplyDeleteI get your point that $50 may price some local residents out, but - honest question - whats on that property now?
ReplyDeleteWouldn't a business of that size/scale generate sales taxes, increase property value? Maybe some of the visitors there will do an afternoon on the rope course then head into Easton for dinner? Or families come early visit Crayola, then come out to the ropes course, let the kids go wild while Mom and Dad chill with a beer?
"Was this grant approval brought and recommended to council by the administration?
ReplyDeleteIt's a state grant that Council has to recommend. It was brought to them by the state. They are the governing body. I honestly don't know how McClure feels about it. I oppose most corporate welfare. So far, the only idea I liked was the grant to Lehigh Heavy Forge for an upender to keep things safe. It produces high paying jobs ($50 an hour) on a brownfied. The rest of these grants are all crap. We gave money to Jaindl for a resort and now are building a small adventure park for the rich people so one rioch guy can get richer while people from Jersey spend their money.
It's true nothing is there. That's called open space and maybe it should stay that way bc it is downwind of the landfill.
They don’t pay anywhere near $50 an hour any more
DeleteIs that the same property as the failed Black Diamonds baseball field. Next to a cemetery?
ReplyDeleteYes
DeleteAnother bad omen!
DeleteIt's being touted as an "outdoor entertainment venue" designed to "get kids off the coach."
ReplyDeleteI realize there’s a lot more sexual abuse by teachers and coaches nowadays, but I think you meant “couch”.
BernieOHare to 9:14, lol, I meant couch. Sorry coach
DeleteI don’t ever want to hear a state politician crying that we need to raise taxes for schools, social programs or anything else ever again.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever doubted that we are overtaxed, or that our representatives have no common sense, look no further than giving government money to this project.
And it is one of many others like it across the state.
Sez the guy who enjoys bike trails paid for by state grant money.
ReplyDeleteGrant money bad, unless it is something I use.
What the hell are you talking about?
DeleteThis isn’t some trail that can be used by the public. This is for a private business that will charge us for its use.
It’s a waste of taxpayer dollars, which the state apparently has too much of.
Will this park bring in any county tax revenue, other than property tax?
ReplyDelete