By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, NY – North Country State Sen. Darrel Aubertine said keeping parks open is an issue of economics and quality of life.
The state Senate has passed a resolution that rejects Gov. David Paterson's plan to close 57 state parks and historic sites.
Sen. Aubertine calls the park system an economic driver and said the right decision was made.
"The arithmetic, really, is pretty obvious," said Aubertine, "When you look at what was initially proposed to save $11 million and put that up against a system, just in my part of the state, that generates $60-80 million, clearly we can not afford to close these parks."
Aubertine also said it is more than just economics. He said it is about family vacations and the heritage of historic sites such as Fort Ontario and the Sackets Harbor Battlefield.
The Senate's budget plan would reduce spending by more than $4 billion, including $1.4 billion in aid to schools. The Senate's resolution is described as a "road map" not a firm plan.