Is MSA a Sports Organization and a Lobby?

Dear Editor:

For the past four years the Carmel Town Board has given a yearly average of $90,000 to the Mahopac Sports Association, under budget line “Recreation & Parks.” According to the Carmel Parks Director, MSA is not required nor have they given a statement of how these taxpayer funds are used.

In the 2009 Carmel Town Council election MSA endorsed both Mr. Lombardi and Ms. McDonough, who are now council members. Early this year both freshman members fully supported a multi-million dollar project that was brought to the board by the Carmel Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee Chairperson.

The Carmel Recreation & Parks Advisory Committee Chairperson is also the President of MSA. One of the responsibilities of this committee is to make decisions regarding maintenance & development of existing parks. This same committee worked on a “2008 Master Plan” to improve and/or build additional parks that would cost over 11 million dollars. All these parks would include sports fields that would benefit MSA and be paid for with taxpayer dollars.

The definition for lobby is: a group of persons who work or conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislature to vote according to the group’s special interest.

You decide whether you believe MSA is just a sports association or is also a lobby. Whichever you conclude, take note of this year’s elections and see if any candidates are endorsed by Mahopac Sports Association.

Joyce Lambert MAHOpAc