Funding Parks and Recreation Paragraph 2

My main goal with this video was to eliminate the use of verbal pauses. It is noticeable; to me, when I wanted to use "um" in my sentences. I replaced "um" with a very long pause; by not using "um" I lost my train of thought. I also decided to improvise with this video due to the fact that the majority of my public speaking is on the fly. I also need to remember to annunciate more clearly when I am speaking publicly. I also find it very challenging when I am speaking publicly not to speak in a monotone manner. I tried to use more vocal expressions when doing this video. I'm not sure how I did with controlling my rate of speech when I made this video, but tried not to speak to fast or to slow.

Funding is Critical to the Survival of Parks and Recreation

listen to ‘Funding is Critical to the Survival of Parks and Recreation’ on audioBoom

I used analogical, casual, and sign for my blog. 

Deductive - does not apply to what I spoke about in my blog because I did not offer any specific examples as to lay evidence as to why parks and recreation improve the quality of life for residents, or specific examples of what exactly will go away without funding. 

Casual - because without additional revenue the City can not continue to support its current services without increasing, and/or generating new revenue. My evidence for that is the cuts made to this fiscal year's budget, and the lack of new revenue that is being generated.

Sign - because our elected officials continue to do the same thing expecting different results. My evidence for that is the continued depletion of the City's General Fund in prior fiscal years despite staff recommendations to make changes.

Analogical - public attitudes due to the recent blogs by some of my classmates suggest that Parks and Recreation is important in our community. 

Funding Parks and Recreation

In the words of Leslie Knope "The bankrupt government of Pawnee has been shut down all summer so it's been three months of no work, no meetings, no memos, no late nights,nothing. I wouldn't wish that on anyone". What would your summer be like if Benson's Parks and Recreation were shut down for the summer? Imagine a summer without the use of the City pool, ball games at the park, special interest programs, Movies in the Park, or other special events. Having worked the past six and a half years in Parks and Recreation I have seen firsthand the impact Parks and Recreation can make. Continued funding for Parks and Recreation is critical to the quality of life for everyone; residents, tourists, and businesses. Although, it is difficult to continue funding when expenditures exceed revenues measures need to be taken to increase revenue to preserve our Parks and Recreation. There are many ways that can be done: increase the permanent tax base, create a demand for new business, and balance expenditures and revenues in the enterprise fund. You can help by letting your elected officials you want them to take the necessary steps to preserve Parks and Recreation.

In summary, Parks and Recreation can not survive if your elected officials do not take the necessary steps to increase revenue in our City. Those steps are to increase the permanent tax base, create a demand for new businesses, and balance expenditures and revenues in the enterprise fund. By increasing the permanent tax base residents will provide revenues for the City through property and sales taxes, an increased permanent tax base will create a demand for new businesses which will create new jobs, and by balancing the expenditures and revenues in the enterprise fund that fund will essentially pay for itself saving the City money to put back in the general fund. Don't let Benson Parks and Recreation close for the summer like Pawnee did.

Parks and Recreation are Critical to the Vitality of Our Community

Imagine living in a community without parks and recreation. Without parks and recreation: it would be difficult to enjoy leisure activities, the elderly would not have as many opportunities for social interaction, residents would need to travel to other communities to participate in organized sports, children would not be able to participate in constructive programs, and the overall health of residents would deteriorate, there would be an increase in obesity, an increase in the mortality rate, and an increase in crime. Parks and Recreation is not only essential to the overall health, and vitality of Benson residents it also stimulates the local economy; therefore, it is critical to stop decreased funding for Parks and Recreation.

An increase in funding for Parks and Recreation would provide numerous benefits to Benson. For example; two additional ball fields would provide more opportunities for youth, and adult sports tournaments. An increased opportunity for ball tournaments would bring families to Benson, and generate new money for our local economy. New money in our economy would increase tax revenue, create new jobs, create a demand, and drive revenue for our local businesses.

According to a study by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) The Benefits of Local Recreation and Park Services more than seventy-five percent (75%) of Americans utilize park and recreation services. An increase to local park and recreation services would prove to be a key factor in marketing Benson, and increase the permanent tax base. An increase to the permanent tax base would provide many benefits to Benson by increased tax revenue, create a demand for more business based services, and create jobs.

Residents can play an active role in the municipal budget process to ensure funding is not being cut. Each year in January, City staff begins preparing their budgets to present to Council. Budget meetings typically take place in early May, and the public is always welcome to attend the meetings. Prior to the approval of the budget in June, members of the public have the opportunity to speak at council meetings during the call to the public. It is important for residents to voice their opinions, and/or concerns to elected officials during the budget process. Become involved this year, and help improve the quality of life in your community.