What Would You Include in Rye's 2011 Budget?

Everyone surely has an opinion about every topic, especially when the issue is of local concern. We hit the streets of Rye to interview residents about what areas they would like the city to focus on when it begins its 2011 budget process in the coming months.

Rye resident Tia Guinness would like to see the city include funding for more recreational programs in its budget. Guinness has two sons that would benefit from an increase in programs, but are left with limited options especially during the summer months.

"They really don't have a lot going on for the teenagers," she said.  "You worry about this as a parent." 

Guinness added that other towns have programs for both children and teenagers, some of which are funded by residents.  

"Even if you have to chip in money for a chaperone, that's fine," she said. "But at least there are programs. " 

Noreen Kennedy, of Rye, who teaches at Rye High School and has children in the school district, would like city officials to focus on infrastructure around schools, especially in the area around Osborn School. 

"Just as a parent, it's concerning," she said.  "A lot of parents are very upset that there are not enough sidewalks."

Hal Schwartz, Rye, also sees road repairs as an issue that the city should provide additional funding for in its city budget. He said Boston Post Road, between Rye High School and Playland Parkway, is in need of improvements.

"It's like a washing," Schwartz said of the rough surface.

Schwartz, would also like to see changes at the Rye Golf Club. Residents from other nearby towns, such as Harrison and Mamaroneck, use the club's facilities, which ultimately reduces the time for Rye senior citizens to one day a week on Thursdays, he said.

"They should give us some type of [additional] compensation for using it," Schwartz said of out of town golfers. "It's a city club," he said. "It should be for the Rye residents."

Eriko Takahashi, Rye, would like to see more reading material, especially those in different languages, at the Rye Library. Takahashi said that she has to go to the Harrison Library to find books in Japanese since the Rye Free Reading Room doesn't carry them.

"They have books in different languages," she said. "So it would be great if we had more offerings," she said of the Rye Reading Room's current selection.

Takahashi is also interested in seeing money put towards school books and not necessarily the buildings themselves. "The buildings are nice," she said. "But that's more important."