Reinstate the Empire State Senior Games

We, the undersigned, believe that suspending the 2009 Empire State Senior Games is something that needs to be reviewed.

We understand the economic crisis New York State and country are facing, however, we feel the Empire State Senior Games have a positive effect on the economy for the business sponsors, businesses in the region and state wide health care cost savings.

The Senior Games have many business sponsors and supporters including Anaconda Sports, Country Inn and Suites, Osteon Arthritis, and the National Senior Games Association. The 2000 plus athletes, ages 50 to 90 and their friends and families spend several days in the Cortland area going to stores and restaurants, staying in hotels, and bringing significant new business to the area.

The goals of Empire State Senior games are to:
1) Provide recreational opportunities
2) Encourage fitness as a life-long activity
3) Combine sports and games with fitness, fun, and fellowship
4) Promote the positive public image of seniors

We think the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation and Cortland College have done an outstanding job of meeting these goals.

To prepare to participate in these games year in and out is not a one time thing, it requires year around workout fitness, prevention life-style and healthy dieting. This has created a healthier population and therefore reduces Medicaid and Medicare health care costs, which has a direct net positive impact on the state budget. This program is a model for creating a healthier New York.

All participants in the games and the recreational and social activities pay for their events, we do not know if the Senior Games are self funding from these fees, but it seems it should be close and certainly not out of line given the benefits mentioned above.

In conclusion, we the undersigned, are asking New York State to reinstate the Empire State Senior Games for their lasting positive impact on NYS residents.