Mountain Home Junior High "Acting Out" Club To Use WECRD Office

Drama vs. Recreation

From the June 11, 2009 WECRD Board Meeting Minutes:

IV. New Business

a. Requests

"A request for use of the WECRD building had been received, but it was forgotten at the last Board meeting. There was concern because the request was for use for a prayer meeting. There was considerable discussion that it does not fit the legal purpose of a recreation district though it may be in line with being a public benefit. Attorney Peterson felt that in order to completely avoid discrimination, the District would have to allow anyone to use the building or no one to use the building. Secretary Judy Erwin stated that the WECRD had an existing building rental policy. Director Marsha Sellers made a motion to reevaluate the building usage policy, and until that policy has been established, the WECRD will hold all usage to be for WECRD business only. Director Jana Borgholthaus seconded the motion. A vote was taken with both Directors in favor of the motion. Motion passed."

From the July 22, 2009 WECRD Board Meeting Minutes:

c. Building Usage

"Director Marsha Sellers stated that the issue of usage of the building had been satisfactorily dealt with at a prior meeting and it was determined that the building would be used for the business of the Rec. District."

"Director Marsha Sellers made a motion to reevaluate the building usage policy, and until that policy has been established, the WECRD will hold all usage to be for WECRD business only. Director Jana Borgholthaus seconded the motion. A vote was taken with both Directors in favor of the motion. Motion passed." (Meeting Minutes of the WECRD dated June 11, 2009)

So now the question is, how is the "business" of the Mountain Home Junior High "Acting Out" Club related to the "business" of the Western Elmore County Recreation District? Well, I have that answer for all of you. Before me I have a copy of a "WECRD Space Reservation" form dated 12/19/09. The "Volunteer responsible" is Betty Ashcraft (also known as "WECRD Public Liason) with "Mollie Marsh" as the "Alternate contact." The space will be used from 4-11 p.m. on January 22 and 23, 2009 for this event.

Funny how a prayer meeting was turned down (and other requests as well) but the MHJH "Acting Out" Club is allowed to use the space because one of their "volunteers" (Betty Ashcraft) has made the request.

So, I ask the question again? What does an "acting" club have to do with the "business" of the WECRD? I guess it is the same reason that the WECRD donates to the Mountain Home Arts Council year after year (but turns our local youth down for RECREATION funding)---Betty Ashcraft. Well folks the funds of the WECRD are not your personal piggy bank and those same funds pay for your office that is open 3 days per week for 4 hours per day. Funny how the "Acting Out" Club will be in your offices more than the WECRD staff for that week!

Seems like there is some discrimination going on with respect to who can use your offices which are funded by us, the taxpayers. Perhaps you should go back to your own rules/"policy" (as follows) so as to be "fair and just" to ALL members of the public/community:

"Director Marsha Sellers stated that the issue of usage of the building had been satisfactorily dealt with at a prior meeting and it was determined that the building would be used for the business of the Rec. District."

"Director Marsha Sellers made a motion to reevaluate the building usage policy, and until that policy has been established, the WECRD will hold all usage to be for WECRD business only. Director Jana Borgholthaus seconded the motion. A vote was taken with both Directors in favor of the motion. Motion passed." (Meeting Minutes of the WECRD dated June 11, 2009)

Once again---TAXATION WITHOUT RECREATION brought to you by Mollie, Marsha and Jana! Hee-Haw!!!