Racers may have to pay for their safety

AMHERST, N.Y. (WIVB) - Action taken from the board in Amherst could make racers pay more for their safety and cost local charities thousands of extra dollars.

Thousands take part in the local western New York races each year whether it may be the Ride for Roswell, the Penguin Run, or any other event that gets people moving for a good cause.

Events as big as the Ride for Roswell and others raise a large sum of money each year for charities.

Now, Amherst Town Councilman Mark Manna says some of the money could be taken away. "It's taking the money directly out of the people who need that treatment-handicapped children, cancer patients, it's really the neediest of the needy."

He was the only one who voted against the decision while everyone else was for the new change.

For years, the town has paid for police security at big and small charitable races.

But now the board doesn't want to.

Only small races that cost less than $1000 will be covered and other charities will have to pay for their own security that could cost thousands of dollars.

Councilmember Guy Marlette says this wasn't an easy decision but he says it had to be done to avoid tax hikes and cutbacks in services. "The fundamental question becomes, do we just provide police protection and in a sense the taxpayers bare the cost of that for any group that wants to come in raise money and send it outside of the town?"he said.

Councilmember Marlette says he's helping taxpayers and overall the town will save about $54,000. "Our intent is never to take away from the charities, but our intent is as a local town to ensure that the tax dollars that we collect are spent for services for residents that provide a greater benefit to the town," said Marlette.
 
Councilman Manna disagrees and is proposing a solution. He said, "I'm going to say we should use our reserves and money that we haven't spent."

If organizations don't want to pay for protection Manna says, "They can contact me and I'll bring it before the board for their approval."