JOHNSTOWN - The Fulton County Board of Supervisors Monday unanimously opposed closing the Johnson Hall State Historic Site, or even curtailed state funding for the local landmark.
Several supervisors at the County Office Building criticized the proposal that would close Johnson Hall, along with many other sites and parks statewide.
Johnstown 1st Ward Supervisor Richard Handy said Johnson Hall is a popular site for those interested in history, as a summer picnic spot or for other reasons. He said he would vote "a hundred times no" in opposition to its closing.
"I live close by Johnson Hall," Handy said. "I frequent there during the summer hours, and there's the times when there's the prom and the Johnstown High School students go up there for pictures."
Gov. David Paterson and state Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Commissioner Carol Ash in February jointly announced a comprehensive list of state historic sites and parks recommended to be closed as state budget cuts. The office's plan includes the closure of 41 parks and 14 historic sites. It also includes service reductions at 23 parks and one historic site.
The list of closures includes the Johnson Hall State Historic Site in Fulton County, expected to save the state $46,500; and Schoharie Crossing in Montgomery County, expected to save $110,000. Overall, proposed closings would save the state $6 million.
"I don't think the money they're going to save is a lot of money," Handy said. "Cutting [Johnson Hall] is a no-no."
The resolution passed by the board Monday stated, "This attraction is a key aspect of our region's tourism program and the [state] Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation's only formal investment in Fulton County ... The Board of Supervisors respectfully requests that the state continue investing in the Johnson Hall State Historic Site and the legacy of prolific historical figure Sir William Johnson."
"These are historic places that people come to visit," Northampton Supervisor Linda Kemper said. "I just think it's ridiculous. It's going to impact a lot of places, not just us."
Board Chairman Greg Fagan called it "foolish" that the state would threaten its "number two industry, tourism."
If the states closes the sites and reopens them after realizing they made a mistake, it "will cost even more," he said.
Gloversville 2nd Ward Supervisor Frank Lauria Jr. said what the state needs to do to balance its books is cut its "pork barrel" spending.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at johnstown@leaderherald.com