In case you’re filled with too much holiday cheer this Christmas season, the latest edition of Sen. Tom Coburn’s “Wastebook”, chronicling wasteful federal spending, is now available. You might just want to spike the egg nog and take a look. The dollar amounts aren’t always shocking, but the blatant waste of taxpayers’ money is. Number 18 on the list:
A ranch house in a closed park that has been unused for a decade has received $440,000107 for green energy upgrades.
The 345-acre Gibson Ranch Park, where the ranch house is located, was partially closed due to budget and staff cuts109 in 2009 and is currently closed to the public while county officials develop a long-term plan to keep the park open.
The new funds are from a federal Energy Efficiency Block Grant program and will pay for new windows, HVAC system, lighting and roofing.
Some have called the project a misuse of money, including Lisa Morris of the neighboring Rio Linda and Elverta Recreation and Park District.112 Another local horse owner who uses the park stables called the money ―squandered.
The closure of the park and bidding process for new management has been contentious, and has brought increased scrutiny on the county parks‘ use of funds for park maintenance.
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