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The Weyside Inn and Cottages says veto the Senate Bill 6835b
06/30/2008
Skip Malley, Owner, The Weyside Inn and Cottages
Dear Governor Paterson,
This email is to request that you, with careful consideration, veto the Senate Bill 6835b. This bill is questioning the very validity of the State constitution that includes provisions for Belleayre Mountain and many other state run recreation facilities. This is a result of the attack on Belleayre Mountain but the Greene County Legislature in response to the owners of the Hunter and Windham ski resorts.
My wife and I own The Weyside Inn and Cottages in Big Indian just 5 miles from Belleayre. Without Belleayre Mountain, we and many other businesses in the area would not be able to pay our mortgages in the winter. The effect of reducing funding of Belleayre and other facilities will have a devastating effect on our local economy and the economies of the areas surrounding each. I can understand that they do not want the state and therefore the taxpayers to fund a facility that competes with a privately owned one. To the best of my knowledge, Belleayre is a positive cash flow entity taking in more than it costs the state, therefore is not a burden on the state and the taxpayers. This community depends on this mountain for our survival. Without Belleayre, this area would die economically.
Please do not consider signing this bill. This bill questions the validity of the Constitution of this state that was voted on by the majority of the voters of this state. Please do not give in to the greed of Hunter Mountain, Windham Mountain, and Greene County. Their claims of unfair competition are totally unsubstantiated. I have skied all of these mountains, and believe me, each of these mountains is appropriately priced according to the value of the product. Hunter and Windham already receive over 80% of the skier business in this area. They do not need 100% of it. It is irresponsible of the proposers of this bill to try to take the State out of the recreation business. By being in the recreation business, the State is also providing economic stimulous to the areas in which it operates facilities. This is a good thing for the regions and the taxpayers of the state in general since it keeps people employed, not just by the state, but by all of the support businesses in each area. This provides tax income for the State and Counties.
The State should stay in the recreation business at it's current funding levels and with the current operational procedures. The passing of this bill could have devastating effects on many local economies only to benefit a few greedy property owners. The people of the state need this bill to be defeated. Please do what is best in the interest of the people of this state and veto this bill if it comes across your desk.
Sincerely,
Skip Malley
Owner
The Weyside Inn and Cottages
www.theweyside.com
845-254-5484 Return to Letters Page
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