What: An Ordinance establishing a fund for donations to the Golden Gate Park stables in which the City will match $1 for every $3 donated to the fund up to $750k.
Why: When Supervisor McGoldrick first introduced an initiative for this fund at a June 19 Board meeting, the only justification he gave for fixing up the stables (aside from the fact that they need fixing up) was the need for "at-risk youth" to use them. And hey, everyone knows that guns don't kill people. People without access to horses do.
FUN FACT: At the July 10 Board of Supervisors hearing, when the Supes were trying to find enough money in the budget to restore two (vacant) public health nurse jobs that were cut in the Mayor's budget, Supervisor McGoldrick quickly offered to give up the money designated for the Golden Gate Park Stables in this year's budget ($50k).
The GGP Stables are, by all accounts, pretty jacked up. Check the pictures here. According to the recently published Environmental Impact Report on the GGP Stables Resoration Project, the stables, which were built in 1938, would now house 46 horses. The stables are in the GGP Historical District. The GGP Stables were operated by Golden Gate Park
Stables, Inc. until 2001, when the Recreation and Parks Department closed it down to assess needed repairs. Needless to say, once an assessment and plan for renovation was created, getting past the Planning Department and Environmental Review process took several years. At the June 19 Board meeting Suprevisor McGoldrick said that the project is ready to get "up and running." 
FUN FACT: At the Budget and Finance Committee hearing on the original GGP Stables fund initiative on July 11, during public comment a man named John gave an impassioned plea to bring back horse-drawn carriages.
Pro: We are tired of playing pick-up-sticks with used syringes in the park and need different activities to do with our families.
Con: The initiative itself allows for $1 for every $3 recieved in "money, property or personal services", which just invites inflated invoices for services. If wealthy, bored, horse-loving housewives want to throw fundraisers for the stables, let 'em do it by themselves. What's next? City subsidized tea parties, plastic surgery and high-end escorts? $750k buys a lot of stuff kids actually need. Like truant officers
FUN FACT: The "Oh No You Dih-hent" award goes to the Citizens Against Tax Waste whose Voter Pamphlet opposition to the initiative says, "SEND THE HORSE STABLES TO THE GLUE FACTORY." Seriously guys? Y'all are dicks.
Vote AGAINST this if: you'd rather spend the money to house two-legged creatures.
Vote FOR this if: you never got that pony from your Daddy that you asked for. Last year.
--Melissa
horses are wonderful creatures. humans less so. Animal Planet's SPCA: Houston is a favorite show. more dollars for horses, fewer dollars for politicians. r.s.
Posted by: R.S | November 04, 2007 at 10:43