SOUTH SUBURBAN HOSTS 2nd LEGISLATIVE BANQUET

by George Samojedny

The South Suburban Park and Recreation Professional Association (S.S.P.R.P.A.) presented its annual legislative Banquet to local area Politicians in October. This event is a continuing effort by S.S.P.R.P.A. to offer grassroot information to legislators concerning the wants and needs of Park Districts in Illinois. Local, State and Federal representatives were gathered together for a very important exchange of ideas. An added plus for this year's event were the awards presented to legislators for special service to the Park and Recreation field.

Topics discussed at the meeting were Revenue Sharing and the Park District's share, the availability of State and Federal funding, the future of Special Districts in Illinois, and many other encompassing areas of concern, S.S.P.R.P.A. member Spencer McKenny (Hickery Hills P.D.), Bill Granger (Country Club Hills P.D.), John Murphy (Blue Island P.D.), and Scott McNally (Oak Lawn P.D.) worked to make this banquet a reality.

The first Banquet held last February brought together over 80 S.S.P.R.P.A. members and legislators for a full night of business and entertainment. Following this successful event the association decided to offer this on a yearly basis. The main concern was to have not only incumbents but all the candidates involved in area races.

The S.S.P.R.P.A. organization is a rather young effort to band together the Recreational Agencies in the Southern Suburbs of Chicago. In its original structure many problems which were unique to our area needed to be resolved. The results of these efforts have produced a series of beneficial programs affecting all of the member districts. New avenues of cooperation between geographically neighbored districts have been of prime importance. Areas of cooperation such as instructor sharing, equipment exchange, and joint purchasing efforts have saved local residents substantial tax monies.

(Editors Note: George Sanojedny is Director of the Polos Heights Park & Recreation Board.)

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 November/December, 1974