So, we’re going to have a waterslide down Palisades Blvd. Sounds like fun. But what is the benefit to the town vs. cost?

Costs include paying deputies for security and traffic control and to paramedics standing by. There’s trash pick-up, potential liability and inconvenience to residents. Even if the event sponsor is paying for the security, etc., the major inconvenience to X hundreds of residents cannot be written off.

The Slide the City website advises participants to park at the high school. How much will the School District collect in parking fees? They’re foolish if it’s not at least $5 a car, the going minimum at events around the Valley. Will local businesses benefit? Given the event’s location, doubtful. Will the town gain status with people saying, “Wow, that’s a place I’ve got to visit.” Are you kidding?

To slide once down the street costs $25 if pre-registered or $30 on event day! Sliding three times is $40/$45 and unlimited sliding is $60/$65. Then there is food. How much for a hot dog and water is not stated?

Those involved project 4,000 participants. At an average of $40 each, that’s $160,000 gross revenue not including food and beverage sales.

So what is the town collecting? That’s not been reported as far as I can find. Is it a fee or percentage of the gross? Really, let us know.

If the School District is getting a nice one-day bump in revenue, then fine. If the town is going to get a tidy sum added to its coffers, fine again. Not saying, however, leads one to believe it’s not much for either.

Let’s hear it from the town as to what it believes the benefits will be including revenue. Please convince us someone has really thought this through.