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ClarificationPosted Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at 7:31 PM
I apparently haven't been very definitive on my position on the WECRD. I can understand why some may be confused by my rambling posts. Sometimes, I confuse myself. I thought I had, although, made it pretty clear that I am a supporter of the WECRD. I am NOT a volunteer, and I am NOT an opposer. I may be in opposition of some decisions made by the directors, but I do want the center and I do support the mission statement. I have also tried to agree with issues on both 'sides.' I have tried to show support to some of the decisions made by the directors as well as criticize some decisions I don't agree with. Just because I don't agree with every decision made, does NOT mean I am against them or the directors.
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I would like to blog about the WECRD updates and news. I would also talk about MHHS news. And any hot topic issues that come up in town.
I am a 17 year old junior. I love to write, read and have fun. I am the debate captain, I am a staff reporter for the Tiger Tribune. I an a National Honor Society member. I love living in Mountain Home and hope to live here or in Glenns Ferry when i am older. When I graduate I want to go to college, but travel as much as I can.
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I have to ask this one YoB, how can you be a supporter of the WECRD and yet disagree with some of the direction the board has taken?
In the past when I have stated that I beleive in a rec center just not the one the WECRD seems hell bent on building, others have said that I am just blowing smoke so to speak.
What I am is in opposition to the direction the WECRD board has decided to go. They have not supported recreation in our area, in my opinion. Maybe you can show me and others where they have done this.
On their website they claim "We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities. " Can you or any of the supporters show where they have done this?
They also state "The Western Elmore County Recreation District mission is to promote the construction and operation of a year-round family recreation and community complex center. This facility is to be located in Mountain Home, Idaho. The WECRD seeks to achieve this mission by raising funds from individuals, corporations and foundations interested in supporting this community through investment in its members. The purpose of this community complex is to enhance the health, well-being and quality of life for all Greater Mountain Home individuals and families." So when did they ask for my donation? I have no plans to use this facility and yet I am taxed to provide for it.
You say you are a good debater, debate me on this by providing actual facts/figures as I have done.
OG: I support the district and the general direction they are moving in. I support the proposed facility. I don't always support their decisions.(mostly the small ones) I have done research and posted it on my blog. I found that 500 people used the city pool every day it was open in the year 2008. I found out how many people bought season golf passes in 2008 @ $500 each. I calculated the usage expense for an annual pass would be cheaper than a family of 5 going to the movies 1x a month, it would be cheaper than going skiing or snowboarding. I have done research and used facts.
YoB,
I remember you posting that before. But can you show me how the WECRD has improved recreation for all over the last 10 years in any way? By that I mean provided for a sport or activity that many would consider recreation. I do not consider providing funds for a concert recreation but instead providing for entertainment.
Your research is excellent but it does not answer the questions I posed.
Here the orginal question I posed "What I am is in opposition to the direction the WECRD board has decided to go. They have not supported recreation in our area, in my opinion. Maybe you can show me and others where they have done this."
In the past the WECRD has taken buses full of kids and seniors to treasure valley YMCA's and recreation centers. The WECRD used to provide an open gym at the Junior High for students to play games and sports at no cost. The WECRD received the grant for the JUDO mats that are currently used in town. The WECRD hosted block fest for a weekend at no cost to the public. The WECRD has 2 annual walks for adults and kids in the summer and in the fall.
yoB, you are only putting in what you want to see what about the other side of things, with all your facts and figures did you ever check to see what it really costs to build that building and be able to maintain swiming pools, the Board with not even listen over costs to build $67 a square foot is to far out in left field, try maybe $250 a square foot like they have been told. What does it cost to maintain pools ask that question the city give them all the info of what it costs to maintain the City pool is close to $97,000 for 80 days of the year not 365 days at a rec center and the city proved all that to the board and they blew it off. You have a group of people in the WECRD office that think they know better than anyone about costs and won't listen. Also look at the City costs to maintain the Golf course instead of the number of passes or the course or the city pool, deal with what is really going on not just what you support anad what you want and who ends up paying for this monster. And I truely believe the only reason the rec center is fighting back with the Y is to stop the Petition cause that got their attention and they want us to go away, not going to happen.
YoB,
All those things are great. I took what you wrote and added my comments as I saw fit.
"In the past the WECRD has taken buses full of kids and seniors to treasure valley YMCA's and recreation centers." This is a wonderful way to accustom the population a rec center.
"The WECRD used to provide an open gym at the Junior High for students to play games and sports at no cost." Used to? Why did they stop?
"The WECRD received the grant for the JUDO mats that are currently used in town." Great use of grant monies. I feel they should have not stopped there. Look at the minutes and see where they have elected not to support other recreation with monies.
"The WECRD hosted block fest for a weekend at no cost to the public." Hmm, no cost, what about the added patrol for the PD, and other emergency people that assisted? Also I would consider a block feast a form of entertainment not recreation, so I do not think this counts.
"The WECRD has 2 annual walks for adults and kids in the summer and in the fall." A great form of recreation, which they could expand upon but have not.
I have to echo what EE stated. have you checked into the cost of constructing a building as large as the WECRD wishes? Or better yet, have you asked where they get the figure of $67/sqft? I find that figure very difficult to beleive as it seems very low to me.
EE, I was asked to provide examples... I did.
Block Fest was at the office and did not require Police. It was lots of like.. building blocks. It was actually fun. I am not sure why the youth open gym stopped.
YoB,
Any gathering of the size you mention has to place an extra burden on law enforcement and other emergency services. You might not have seen them, but you can count on it, they were there.
I think what EE is getting at is to gather facts similiar to what the WECRD plans on doing. Ok so 500 people used the pool, would they have used it if they had to pay the yearly fee and entrance fee the WECRD is proposing?
And the costs associated with a golf course are going to very different than those of a pool. One thing when you do a cost comparasion is that you have to compare apples to apples not apples to organges. To make your figured valid, you would have to find a pool similiar to what the WECRD proposes and find out ALL operating costs associated with it.
OG: I don't think you know what block fest was. Go to the WECRD office, they can explain what it was and I believe they have pictures hanging up in their office.
My point about the golf course was that if 200 people are willing to buy an individual season pass for $500 it's hard for me not to believe families won't buy annual family passes at approx. $34 a month.
yoB, you may want to research the actual cost of a YMCA annual pass and/or family pass. You are a bit off on the costs based on the Y figures given at the meeting with the mayor. The other thing to consider is that Boise has a much larger population from which they draw memberships. MH is much smaller but also taxes in addition to a propsed membership fee. So, you will pay twice in MH (through taxes and membership fees). In addition, there will be fees for programs. We also have a military base that can be used for free by a large amount of the population. All of these things will impact membership fees and how many use the facility. All of this should be thought of as well, IMO.
In actuality, all of this should have been thought of before we were led down this path. But here we are.
Yep, could have, should have but did not. That is the theme of the day as well as the WECRD.
Many things should have been figured out prior to the formation of this taxing district. I would bet the voters never allow something like this again. No accountabilty and now it is up to a few citizens to "fix" the problem. Hey, not to worry...someone has a handle on that petition.
YoB,
So you want me to take time off from work to go to the WECRD office? Sorry can't do that as if I don't work, I don't make money and it makes it difficult to meet my responsibilites. You know the normal bills and taxes that I pay each payday. Those don't go down just because I earn less. I have tried to go by the WECRD office in the past but everytime I went bym the lights were out and no one was in so not taking time off from work again for that. So would you try to explain to me what a block fest is? Maybe then I can understand how it cost the public nothing.
As for your use of the golf course, how many of those that bought the $500 passes have families? And how many $500 passes were bought? I can't seem to remember nor find where you provided that information.
YoB:
Your WECRD did a great job at AFAD. Too bad none of that $5,000 (or whatever they ended up spending) was spent on the kids/recreation. Too bad they turned the kids down twice (once at the BM and then again at the budget hearing in August). Too bad! I am so happy you support them. Good luck with that. Everyone needs a cause.
"Yep, could have, should have but did not. That is the theme of the day as well as the WECRD. Many things should have been figured out prior to the formation of this taxing district. I would bet the voters never allow something like this again. No accountabilty and now it is up to a few citizens to "fix" the problem. Hey, not to worry...someone has a handle on that petition.-- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Sep 11, 2009, at 2:45 PM"
Here is a PILL to swallow OM!!! - yup, YOU could have, should have but did not. That is the theme of the day as well as for you! handle?!?!!!! LOL
roflmao!!!!!!!