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Support Jones Ferry Re-Development Dear Reader: I would like to take this opportunity to voice my strong support of the proposed Jones Ferry Re-development project. Providing a renewed and improved access to the river is the kind of thing Holyoke needs. Such a project would add an element of improved quality of life for people like me who live in Holyoke and want to use the River. I can speak for my wife as well. She and I bought a sail boat over a year ago, however we have not used it due to the poor quality launch points on the river. Jones Ferry could be an ideal place to shove-off from had it a better parking lot, boat-launch, and facilities. I can also attest that my brother, Bill, Holyoke resident and owner, at Old Jarvis Ave, would be much more prone to take advantage of the opportunities the river presents if there was an improvement at the Jones Ferry site. My brother was an avid member of a crew-team while at Boston College. He rowed competitively for four years, and says he would love to see Jones Ferry revitalized to be more accommodating for his needs, improved facilities, expanded parking, and a better storage place for crew sculls. I have researched the issues around the opposition in the City Council for the proposed development and I agree that time and money is needed in other areas of the city, most prominently the school system. Yet the state is extending this SPECIFIC funding for recreational development purposes. As the Mayor has said, the funding is being extended exclusively to be used for the benefit of a recreational development. The funding can not be re-diverted to another use in the city, and will be LOST, if the City Council will not support the Jones Ferry Project. Read the report for your self, here. I believe that improved access to the river is a huge asset to the City of Holyoke, and will be a powerful drawing force that will make people view Holyoke as a place they want to live, it will help encourage people to move here, and it will keep people, like my brother, living here. The money that the City of Holyoke may have to spend to accompany the awarded grant money, will be dollars well spent, because Jones Ferry will improve the quality of recreation and quality of life that Holyoke has to offer. In this way, such a re-development will bring and keep people here, thus having a multi-fold impact on the local economy: increased residency means increased tax revenue for the city, and many other beneficial offshoots, such as more local business, and spending. Jones Ferry can also be made to be more accommodating to the Elderly and Handicapped, as well as the young people of this City. Positive, healthy recreation: boating, sailing, fishing, and rowing can be a great force to help rejuvenate school children, and I would say High School teens especially. Access to the river provides exercise and positive natural experiences that can combat the negativity and problems found in Holyoke's streets and High Schools (Perhaps incidents like the recent Dean Tech Riot, for example, could be dampened if these youngsters had more access to a positive recreational outlet the river can provide). I urge you to support the Jones Ferry Development Proposal for the good of the City and for the great positive implications such a development can bring for all residents. Where-ever you may stand on the issue, I do thank you for your attention to the needs of this fine city. All the best, Michael Powell Editor, Holyokebiz.com
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