Turf War!

To protest the closure of state parks and historic sites – and John Boyd Thacher State Park in particular – Bethlehem Assemblyman Tim Gordon staged a TV-friendly event today in which he hauled his personal mower up to the park to cut the grass.

“Families across the Capital Region are relying on our state parks, including Thacher and Schodack Island as low-cost recreation options,” Gordon said in a press release.

“We are willing to roll up our sleeves and get to work to show Governor Paterson how important these parks are to our families.”

While the cameras snapped away at Gordon pushing his 21-inch Lawn Boy push mower across the verdant lawn, which has gone unmowed so far this season, the assemblyman’s opponent, Republican Steve McLaughlin, showed up.

According to YNN’s Matt Hunter, McLaughlin yelled at Gordon, accusing him of grandstanding at a time when he should be focused on the late state budget. Gordon retorted that McLaughlin should be out mowing, too.

Gordon was told by a park attendant (yes, they’re still on the job for the moment) that he couldn’t mow without a permit. The attendant then left and returned about 15 minutes later, permits in hand. The photo-op thus restored; mowing resumed.