Comments

To Anna wrote on Jun 18, 2009 4:01 AM:

" The activities at the B&G Club were great in past summers but this year they were cut. I was going to enroll my child not happy about the price but understandable until I recieved the activity schedule. The main activities were the park=FREE and feed the ducks=FREE and swimming. No movies, bowling, or library this year. If I was a kid I would not want to go to the B&G club with what they are offering this year. My child goes with me to work when needed and with friends & family. "




Kelli wrote on Jun 10, 2009 3:51 AM:

" How many of these parents can't afford to send their kids to the pool, but can afford cable, four cell phone plans, Internet and all the other "necessities" they think they need. Guess what make a budget, if you can't afford it cut other costs. Don't play government accounting games and expect the money and means to send your kids to these places to fall out of the sky. If you lost your job and can't afford it, that sucks, explain that to your kids. My three year old understands that you have to have money to spend money. "




Negative wrote on Jun 6, 2009 12:16 AM:

" All you people who are so upset about the fees being raised instead of being so negative toward the people and places that had to raise the prices go to the city council about your concerns. "




lucky me wrote on Jun 4, 2009 10:49 PM:

" We bought an above ground pool for our kids so that takes care of us not having to pay $2-3 to get into the public pool. We have countless numbers of books, so that takes care of us having to go pay the $165 for the library and since I am a stay at home mom, I do not need to pay $75 per child to take my kids to the Boys n Girls Club. Lucky me! "




to fogie wrote on May 31, 2009 3:22 PM:

" Remember, years ago there were not as many perverts, drug dealers and illegals out roaming the streets, hills, desert and river bed. Our solution has been a yard gym behind a tall fence and only doing supervised activities. Turning kids loose to roam and entertain themselves is no longer an option. "




fogie wrote on May 31, 2009 10:14 AM:

" Years ago kids could earn money by mowing lawns, pulling weeds, cleaning floors, washing windows, washing cars, etc. and pay for their own summer entertainment if they had time left over for such things. Most of what we did was free, such as rollerskating, hiking around the hills and desert, playing pickup softball or baseball games, hopscotch, jump the river or any number of other things that required physical activity. Heat was not a problem for the kids as long as we were sweating and having fun. None of us were obese. "




saffsik wrote on May 30, 2009 10:06 AM:

" It is ridiculous that prices are soring so high here in the valley. It is just another sign of how greedy we have become and how neglected our children are going to be. Growing up in Safford I was able to go to pool and do other things around town like, main street and going fishing. My father didn't have a lot of money, and he could still afford to keep us busy. I don't see a whole lot of activities for kids now days without costing the parents loads of cash. And no good jobs to help out. "




local mom wrote on May 29, 2009 7:43 PM:

" I wasn't able to afford the boys and girls club before. Now, I can't afford the pool either. If the library starts charging as proposed, I won't be going there either. Movies are too expensive, bowling costs too much, and all thats left is the local parks for my kids to play at and its just too hot for that! I hope the city is prepared to handle a bunch of bored kids who might find trouble to get into in an effort to entertain themselves. "




Change Is Coming wrote on May 29, 2009 2:11 PM:

" If you have a problem being able to afford the fees for the lessons, send a letter to Obama. He will take care of you.

Get some of that Obama money! "




Anna wrote on May 29, 2009 11:01 AM:

" The reason that prices are skyrocketing at the boys and girls club is that the city told them they aren't going to be giving them very much in grant money. During the summer enrollment more than quadrouples and they dont have enough money to hire more staff.
$75 is not that much money if you think about it. Thats only around $1 a day, and they get to go to movies, the pool, and other trips. Thats way cheaper than day care. "




prices too high wrote on May 28, 2009 5:32 PM:

" I don't think anyone is saying the pool and the boys and gilrs club should be free. I am willing to pay, I just believe the price hikes are too high. The pool is public , not a privately owned business. In the past it has brought in enough money to pay for upkeep and staff. Now the city and Lori Armstrong are seeing it as a potential money maker. I think they have lost sight of the fact that it is there for the community and should be kept resonable. "




re ugh wrote on May 28, 2009 2:37 PM:

" ugh:

Many people are unemployed including myself. Maybe you can explain to your children that you do not have the money to go to the pool.

My folks did not have money to spend to let us go to classes, movies, or the pool. We found many things to do, anyway.

The problem with kids today is that they are spoiled and if the parents cannot afford to spoil them, then the government is supposed to pay on the backs of everyone else.

If you want to use the pool, you should pay. "




disappointed wrote on May 28, 2009 8:11 AM:

" I went to enroll my three young children and was told it was $75 each. This is ridiculous. It is nice we have this place for our children to go but why so much? The youg girl working told me i should be glad because she's from Phoenix and its way more expensive. Yes i understand it is more expensive, but why not a little less or give a discount for two or more children. Just venting "




prices too high wrote on May 27, 2009 9:17 PM:

" I agree that prices for the pool have gone too high. I am willing to pay to use the pool, but to double the rates was too drastic. I think the city and Lori Armstrong are trying to make the pool into a cash cow on the backs of local residents. "




To New2Safford wrote on May 27, 2009 9:15 PM:

" The city of Safford has drastically raised rates this summer. The other option for swimming lessons is Pima. The cost for swim team is $50 a kid. They also offer swimming and diving lessons. "




ugh wrote on May 27, 2009 9:07 PM:

" To New2Safford: I am not sure of other places other than maybe the Safford pool.

To charge peoplewho benfit: I can't tell if your trying to be funny or flat out rude. Some people cannot help it if they cannot afford to sign their kids up for programs over the summer. I am one of those parents who used to be able to,but because my husband has been out of work, we won't be able to sign our kids up for anything. Not our fault, but yet our kids "suffer". Its a shame. "




Charge people who benefit wrote on May 27, 2009 5:40 PM:

" If you want to play, you gots to pay!

If you don't have the money to pay the fees, then set up the garden hose in the yard for the kids. That is what we always did when we were young.

Of course, then you will not be able to pay your water bill!! "




New2safford wrote on May 27, 2009 1:25 PM:

" I have recently moved to Safford from Tucson and enrolled both of my kids in swimming lessons and was shocked by the price I had to pay. Is this the way the boys and girls club has always been? Is there any other place that offers swimming lessons in this area and if so do they charge about the same amount for lessons? "