Posted on 04/09/2011 10:43:01 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
Kane County Forest Preserve District officials on Friday worked to calm dog owners growling about a proposal that would require off-leash park users to buy a permit — and to wear a lanyard proving they have done so.
"They took offense and thought we were kind of making the owners wear a leash, which is not the case at all," said Laurie Metanchuk, community affairs director for the forest preserve.
About half a dozen residents complained a day after officials introduced the idea of charging Kane County residents $40 and nonresidents $80 to use the off-leash dog parks at Fox River Bluff West in St. Charles Township, Schweitzer Woods in Dundee Township and Aurora West in Aurora. There would be smaller fees for additional dogs.
Although some residents called to express support for the fees, others argued that the idea of being forced to wear a permit ID was insulting.
Metanchuk cautioned that the proposal is only in its early stages. She added that even the concept of lanyards is still just conceptual.
"You don't have to necessarily wear it around your neck; you could keep it in your pocket," she said.
Forest preserve officials told County Board members at a committee meeting Thursday that the fees would help to pay for damage to natural resources, ensure the safety of dogs and dog owners, and deter a growing problem of users not cleaning up dog waste, Metanchuk said.....
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
It’s also the age of paying a FEE to use a PUBLIC park.
They will never stop surprising me on the ways they can raise new taxes just by calling them fees or permits.
If you use something, you should pay for it. Who do your think pays for a “public park”?
Dogs cost extra expense, so it appropriate, fair, and efficient to have users pay. Why should some people have to pay to support other people’s pets?
“There is no such thing as a free lunch.” — Milt Friedman
I’m glad I live in the country. My dogs are too.
If you use something, you should pay for it. Who do your think pays for a “public park”?
Dog owners pay, It is in the form of licensing fees for our dogs. You pay nothing. Problem is the libs take the money and put it to things like paying for sex change operations for city employees.
Then they look for something else to tax.
Ya know, I wouldn’t be suprised if in future mothers won’t be able to take their young children to the park to play without having to pay an entrance “fee.” It’s getting ridiculous how we are nickled and dimed.
If the enterprise survives because it can charge enough then great. If not enough people want to use that service then it dies.
This could work with parks (national, state, and local), libraries, ports, roadways, bridges, dams, museums, concert halls, public radio stations, etc.
The less there is to argue over in the budgeting process the more likely our elected "leaders" can focus on the important stuff and get their jobs done in a timely fashion.
Fine, as long as you put meters on the swingsets, and require permit fees for the benches. Since joggers are slower than roller bladers, let’s charge them less per hour, with bicycles paying a super premium for the paths.
Of course, we’ll need to add dozens of new union employees to issue the permits and enforce the new taxes. That will stimulate the economy. So I guess you and Obama would be on the same side on this one.
Offensive? Only if you haven't forgotten the yellow star of David a certain group was forced to wear during a certain unpleasantness in the mid-20th century.
I'm not equating the current situation with that episode, but it quite literally is "the thin edge of the wedge" that ends in wholly draconian micro-management of citizens' every move.
If you think I'm exaggerating, look at what's happened with seatbelts, motorcycle helmets, firearms, tobacco (not just smoking, but chaw too), your toilet, your lightbulbs, ad infinitum.
Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.
I'll take "Unintended Consequences" for $500, Alex...
Are they kidding me? We have 5 off-leash parks a short drive from my Puget Sound home, and are free, and only 1 charges parking, which is only $1 a day. Those dog owners in Kane County should ALL start walking their dogs in front of the homes of those county officials until they back down.
And carry signs - BACK DOWN OR GO BROWN
Good ideas and they can even give a little discount if you bring in 2 or more of your kids
I’m thinking the “fee” may be for the extra work in keeping this “public” park clean. Heaven forbid the people who go to these places clean up after their own animal; but, I would bet that they don’t.
How much do you contribute to FR?
My guess is, it takes more money to maintain a dog park, which is only used by a select group of people - dog owners who’s dogs are social with other dogs. (I’d never bring me - small dogs are simply appetizers to them).
If you go to liberal areas, these things are always “free”. Why? Because everyone is taxed for them. On Long Island I had “free” garbage pickup. “Free” bulk dumping. “Free” road paving.
Here in FL I have to pay for these things. I prefer it that way.
Do I have this correct? A person might have to have an ID to walk a dog, but Not To Vote?
Well, if their kids crap on the playground, they should pay a fee — wouldn’t you agree?
>>How much do you contribute to FR?<<
“no replies”
How’d I guess?
“Well, if their kids crap on the playground, they should pay a fee — wouldn’t you agree?”
And how about all those kids that pee in the public pools. Charge their parents. And believe me, this one borders on obnoxious. Nothing worse than a pee pool.
Oh, I agree about urinating in pools. But I haven’t yet been to a public pool where one didn’t pay a fee for use.
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