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Rose Garden an oasis in shabby Central Park

    What a wonderful thing for Schenectady, having the Rose Garden in Central Park rated among the best 10 rose gardens in the country [July 31 Gazette]. Congratulations and a big thanks to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to provide a beautiful oasis for us.
    It is such a shame that all one has to do is cross the street and walk in the direction of the lake to find so many examples of not caring by the city. There are spots in the lake that resemble cesspools, and the flower beds directly in front of the lake’s administration building are an embarrassment, showing gross neglect, in direct contrast to the beautiful rose garden.
    The water fountain in the middle of the lake is in great need of a paint job. And what can I say about the wonderful kiddie park that has been locked up, in need of repair? The only things positive about the park, other than the rose garden, are the ballparks, which are kept in great shape.
    I am at a loss why those who have the responsibility of maintaining the park can go there on a daily basis and not see the very obvious lack in so many places. My husband and I used to go to the park several times a week, but no longer. Instead of feeling rejuvenated after a long walk, we come away feeling sad that no one seems to care.

    MARILYN R. WESSELS
    Schenectady

http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r03205&AppName=1

Volunteers fixed up the Rose Garden. The Mayor administers the park. The same Mayor that canceled Tuesday in the Park and wanted to build condos on the Muni Golf Course. Central Park is not important to him.

     The same thing is happening Downtown where the successful Farmers Market is beyond City Hall's control. Taxes are being wasted all over while important priorities like street repair and parks go underfunded. Things can only improve with changes at City Hall.

When the taxes are as high as they are in the city, there should be no tuesday in the park, no ice skating pond, NO NOTHIN'! If the city officials were THAT serious about lowering taxes, they would combine canceling the 'fluff' with cutting government jobs, cut spending, sell glendale home and privatize proctors....among other things. They should be running the city on a shoestring.

As far as the rose garden......good for the volunteers. But everyone knows that central park is also becoming an unsafe parcel just like the rest of the city.

Has anyone actually looked to see how many homes in the city are vacant? More than you would think!