Group forms to seek vote to dissolve WECRD

I agree with Ms. Harter. We have received nothing but hollow promises from the WECRD over the years. They respond by promising us action in the future but still nothing happens. When asked if the empty seats on the board can be filled, they refuse. When a board member resigned, they filled it with one of their supporters and still will not fill the empty seats. When it was suggested to them that they needed to revise the 9 year old plan, they once again refused and stated the voters had spoken and that was the end of it. Many of us pointed out that a Rec Center is needed just not the Taj Mahal that they have planned.

All the WECRD has done is extend their hands into our bank accounts and take money with no results being produced. I say enough is enough and strongly support the disolution of the current board. I would have attended the meeting mentioned but a prior family commitment prevented that. I applaud those that have stepped up and are at least trying to improve things within the community.

Any idea if anyone has seen either the revised business plan or the list of voters that was requested from the WECRD?

I also agree. I will be looking for those petitions to sign, and will sign one with pleasure. :O)

Hopefully the petition will be circulating soon!

It's too bad it had to come to this. I support the move to dissolve the WECRD and will sign the petition. If only the WECRD board had shown some interest in improving its public relations, had increased the number of board members, had taken the hint from recent events...sad words, "if only."

Ms. Marsh is deserving of the praise of her past efforts on behalf of the community. But that is the past, and her present methods are just not commendable at all, including the nasty campaign last fall. Her opponent campaigned on the issues; Ms. Marsh chose to attack her opponent.

Now the only positive thing to do, for and by the community, is to dissolve the WECRD.

Well Well a few people are not happy with the way the election came out can't believe that that. Well let me tell you this I won't sign any petition until this group comes forward and lays out a detail plan, besides stop taxing bussiness. Lets keep it real thats what this is about.

Left one thing out this group would also devert the money to other projects like the golf course.

The WECRD has done a tremendous amount of work since its inception to try and get a community center built here. I know because I have volunteered my time with the rec district and have attended board meetings. Have any of you posters done that? "Senior Lady" says that Mollie Marsh ran a "nasty campaign". What does she base this on? Did she go door-to-door with Molly talking to voters and go to campaign forums to hear her speak? I did and at no time was Ms. Marsh ever but totally professional. I never once heard her slander her opponent. The three board members have donated thousands of hours without pay to work on getting this center built. They have pursued grants, block grants, funraisers, looked into bonds and done just about everything they can think of to raise enough money to build this center. They feverishly campaigned to have the KROC Center ( A philanthropic organization started by the widow of the McDonalds Fast-food chain owner that awards deserving communities monies towards building community centers) pick Mountain Home the winner only to come in second to Coeur d'Alene. In an effort to have the center built sooner, the board has scaled way back on the original design of the M.H.C.C, while still trying to incorporate the things that the community has said was important to them. Always, the boardhas sought community input. Just a few weeks ago, they invited local business people to a business luncheon to seek their input and these were not just people who supported the the rec center concept. The board welcomed and listened to all ideas. It was a very productive meeting. "Old Guy" says that people have gotten empty promises from the WECRD. You can't build a center without enough money to hire the contractors. Through frugal savings and wise decisions with the tax-payers dollars, almost a million dollars has been saved. They are very close to getting this center started. Mountain Home needs this center. Maybe a community center and recreation center here in town is not important to you posters and you wouldn't use it so you're against it. But it would benefit a lot of other people and make Mtn Home a better place to live. Please educate yourselves on what the rec district has done in the past and is doing now before you attack it and try to get it dissolved.

Bring on the petitions. The last thing we need, wether it's being run poorly or not, is more taxes. If it's the cluster that some say it is then I for sure don't want to pay to keep the stupid thing afloat.

Let's just say for the sake of reason you get rid of the WECRD what do you want the money already in there to be used for. An by the way I don't know if your a golfer or not but if you are join a private club and stop using my tax dollars for it JUST CAN'T WATCH

Sign me up! I would love to help with this group as long as the monies already collected are not to be used towards the gold/golf course. Mtn. Home cannot support something like this,when the majority of people that could use it,would not be able to afford the fees to use it! Could the money be used for the Youth Center project? That's something we really need for our kids and their projected cost was WAY lower.

The thing that was great about the Mtn Home Community Center Complex was that it would be something for everyone to use - not just the youth center for the kids or the golf course for the golfers. If a town doesn't have something in the way of recreation or entertainment to offer its citizens it becomes stagnant and boring and everyone spends their dollars in Boise or elsewhere. This center would bring in revenue for the town because artists would play here, art shows, theater etc. And it would be affordable.

According to state law, the funds already taken from us will be put into a fund to go toward future county recreation plans. That is the only thing they are allowed to go for. (Believe me, I don't care for the golf course any more than anyone else; it's not county-owned anyway.)

The best thing about putting a stop to this WECRD business is the cessation of their taxing us for an entity that would only offer some small pools and perhaps a meeting area. And cost perhaps $400 per year to use. It would not meet the needs of most of our population. Do we need some kind of community center? Of course. Just not this one.

I do not own a business but I still think it's so very wrong to let a levy on businesses go through without publicity, when what was voted on originally was only on residences. It's a matter of fairness and being transparent with the public.

And about Ms Marsh. I read all her campaign material and heard her speak, the same as I did for Ms Whitney. I stand by what I said.

Ms Marsh just bragged about all the things she had done in the past (which she has a right to be proud of) and then put down Ms. Whitney. Ms Whitney campaigned on the lack of transparency in the operation of the WECRD, the less-than-honorable inception of the levy on businesses, and other real issues such as why they don't have the five people on the board, as they are allowed.

Money matters at the WECRD are casual to say the least, in my humble opinion: Two different cash flow statements made on the same day were different.

Public relations are poor, with a website with insufficient information; there are few public statements re activities; and different answers are made to same questions. Not everyone down there knows what is going on or are reading off the same page.

I voted for the original WECRD years ago, when I had faith in it. Now I believe the most positive thing for the community is to dissolve this district.

If you still believe in it, and don't mind the cost of what may very well be a white elephant (to quote a friend of mine)-- don't sign the petition. If you are sick and tired of it -- the lack of plain dealing and the unfair levies and the very high cost of using it, then sign the petition when it becomes available (soon) and go to the polls for the election.

Boomerbeth,

It has been almost 9 years since the creation of the WECRD and what does the community have to show for it? We have a large plot of land with a billboard on it, the WECRD has a nice office location downtown with all the equipment they need to include a cellphone that we are paying for. We have a board made up of members that refuse to listen to any suggestions from the us, the taxpayers. I have been here since 2000 and all I have heard is that the center is going to be built soon. I say soon is now and if not then the WECRD is a failure and needs to be disbanded. Add into the mix, that not only are we to be taxed for a center, if it is ever built, we would have to PAY to use something we have already paid for and it makes no sense. The WECRD has had 9 years to develop a sound business plan and until very recently they had nothing but a dream. The WECRD voted to change how taxes were collected and did so with no voter input, they have heald meetings that only they knew about in advance and the only public notice was a small note posted on the window of their offices. How is that a meeting asking for public input?

And if I remember correctly, any monies that have been collected would go back to the county not the city. The golf course is a city owned entity and thus could not receive any of the monies.

For those of us that have moved to obtain signatures to get rid of the WECRD, we have NO control over what the ECC's decide to do with the money already raised. It goes into the COUNTY general fund and is only to be used for recreation or creating/the improvement of recreation. What the ECC's decide to do with the money has nothing to do with obtaining these signatures at this point. However, you can feel free to write them and give them your opinion.

Boomerbeth, I have been to WECRD meetings. I have copies of their accounting. I have the $13,000.00 GreenPlay report and now their "new" business plan. It has been 9 years with nothing built. Taxes were raised against what we voted for many moons ago. Many of us have TRIED to talk to the WECRD Board to no avail. Mollie by golly stated at one point that they probably would fill the 2 WECRD Board seats that have never had a person in them. Now she says she never thought about it.

The GreenPlay report from October 10, 2008 which Mollie stated would not be done until after the election (election was in November), reports a budget shortfall BEFORE the doors even open. That means either higher fees to use the facility or more taxes. Then, when all of the passes are not sold, which accounts for more than $500,000 in revenue, ...it means one of two things. Higher fees to use or higher taxes. I would bet on higher taxes.

Go back to the people you volunteer with and tell them they should have responded when we all went in and talked to them. Just because the election is over does NOT mean it is game over. They should have done more than look at us and move their heads. Now, maybe they will get the message. Thank you for all of the hours that you put in there. This is not your fault. Tell Mollie to write her own response and answer the MH News questions with more than "no comment" (from the paper this week). That is not the way to deal with the public and it is not honest. Nobody has any say with this group and that is 100% of the problem. They do as they want and that has been proven over the last 6-7 months.

It is a shame. Something is needed but it has to be something that will pay its own way not be a black hole to those of us that pay taxes. Taxes only go up. We tried to work with them...now maybe they will get our point---maybe.

So Mollie by golly what do you have to say? The public is waiting...and waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

drd1/boomerbeth:

1) They started when, and haven't so as much as rented a shovel yet!?! If I had a job for 9 years to do one thing and hadn't done it yet, I wouldn't expect to keep that position.

2) The WECRD members haven't listened to the community concerns over plans or financials.

3) The WECRD members are hopelessly tied to the plan from 2000 and will not consider other options. They have not they backed off the "Community Center" primarily being an "Aquatic Center". Lap pools and therapeutic pools are not family activities.

4) Since early October 2008 the WECRD had in their possession the GreenPlay report that shows the center will lose $100K annually, even if it reaches its unrealistic goal of 500 season passes. But they claimed they did not have it and not to have it and did not release it until after the election.

5) I was at the Meet the Candidates night at the Senior Center. Molly Marsh came across as mean and arrogant. Leann Whitney was just the opposite, and seemed genuinely concerned for the future of the WECRD.

6) The WECRD raised a tax levy on local businesses without any public announcement or discussion prior to them doing so.

7) There are two sets of books outlining the financials. Is that legal? Would the IRS think it's legal for a business to have different accounts of their business financial statements?

The best thing they have done is doing nothing. I for one am glad they haven't begun construction and tied our tax dollars to the money-pit of a poor plan based on good intentions. We have a chance to stop this before it gets any more out of hand. If you want to throw money away, be ignored and lied to -- don't sign the petition.

I saw Molly by Golly speak at a Chamber meeting and I was less than impressed --- Trying to shove down my throat that the taxes we pay for the WECRD are "Fair and Just"..... I got so tired of hearing that by the time she was done speaking.....

Come on Molly you wanted the position now face the task that go along with it!!!!!!!!!

I am not posting my opinion here as a representative for Mollie Marsh. I am simply one citizen who is voicing my opinon, same as all of you. I didn't realize this opinion site was just for supporters of those wanting to dissolve the rec district. I am a taxpayer and citizen of Mtn Home who wants this rec center to be built and am willing to pay for it because, to me, the small extra amount we pay in taxes and the fees to be a member (which are right in line with any health club) are worth it than the alternative of not having anything. We pay through our taxes for Parks & Rec, the golf course, etc. yet we still have to pay fees to use them so how is the rec center going to be any different? I am not alone. Back in 2000, over 60% of Mtn Home residents voted to form the rec district because they were tired of having no place for they and their family members to go for indoor recreation, community events and socialize with other Mtn Home residents. They were informed through meetings and literature given by the formers of the rec district that it could be a long process to get enough money to eventually build the center. Yet, still they voted for it. The fact that Molly was re-elected this past Nov. indicates that there is still a large faction here that believes in this district and supports it. There is no reward without risk, patience and keeping focused on the end goal. That it has taken longer than anyone would have liked is unfortunate but certainly not because of lack of effort. We (the people who support the district) are not willing to abandon nine years worth of hard work when the end goal is within sight. For those of you who have serious issues concerning the district such as Opinionmissy, I suggest that, instead of waiting for the directors to come to you, you should call or stop by the district office to talk to one of the directors about your concerns. People do have a say with the district. Now if you're going to try and convince one of the directors to abandon the plans to build the center or divert the monies collected to other projects, you probably will be met with stony silence. The directors were mandated by the voters in 2000 to build this center and that is their job. And, just you so you know, in an effort to save taxpayer money, the directors have not hired people to staff this office except for one part-time secretary/bookeeper. They rely on the bookeepers schedule and volunteers in order to keep the office open and that is usually Tues, Wed and Thurs.

Work on those facts BB. I have met with the Board many times. I have all of the paperwork. A lot has changed in 10 years and while the plan from 10 years ago is great---it is not affordable. I have spent the time on the research, etc. Thank you for the time that you have put in with the WECRD. I still cannot support the current plan. People are out of work and the economy is bad and about to get much worse. It is time to cut spending not increase it.

BB You say 60 % of the Mountain Home residents voted for the district. Did you mean to say 60 % of the residents (WHO VOTED), voted for the WECRD?

Mr.427539, you are right. I read that 60% of voters approved the ballot. Sorry about that. But you know what, we can go back and forth about this issue all day long. The bottom line is that there's a group of people here who want a community/recreation center bad enough that they are willing to sacrifice a little to have it; and then there's people who don't think it's enough of a benefit in their lives to pay for it. I guess time will tell as to which side has the most numbers.

We can go back and forth about this issue all day long. The bottom line is that there's a group of people here who want a community/recreation center bad enough that they are willing to sacrifice a little to have it…as well as what little their neighbor has (increasing the cost of living in Mountain Home for the satisfaction of too few season pass wishlisters), and cut into profits local businesses make (driving up the cost of simply doing business in Mountain Home).

Remember this was supposed to be a self sustained operation based on the original tax and selling 500 passes a year. However, that isn't possible. It's been proven with their own report (you know, the one held back from the public until after the election). There has been a tax levy on local businesses, they will need to sell more passes than originally estimated, and they will still lose at least $100,000.00 annually.

How will they recoup those lost operating funds? From the hides of every individual and business taxpayer, that's where.

What happens when the taxes aren't enough to keep the operation running? The taxes go up.

What happens when the tax base can't provide the funds necessary to operate? The district is expanded to include a wider tax base.

Wrong plan, wrong time. The district won't adapt to the current climate, so they should go the way of the Woolly Mammoth.

BB,

One question for you from me. You state "you should call or stop by the district office to talk to one of the directors about your concerns." But then later on you state "in an effort to save taxpayer money, the directors have not hired people to staff this office except for one part-time secretary/bookeeper. They rely on the bookeepers schedule and volunteers in order to keep the office open and that is usually Tues, Wed and Thurs." So my question when is one supposed to meet any of the board members? I have been by the office many times and it is normally dark and closed. How are we, the taxpayers that the board is supposed to be dedicate to, to express ourselves to them? Well maybe that is two questions for you.

While there is a group that "wants this, there is also a large group that does not want this UNDER THE CURRENT PLAN. So, the signatures will be obtained and people can vote yet again. This all could have been avoided by altering the plan of phase I to something less expensive. I would vote for schools (with a plan in line with what we can pay for) long before I would vote for this. We are looking at at least 1 school bond in the future (next 1-3 years probably), a hospital bond of some sort, more police, ambulances...

Those things alone will be large tax increases. Add to it this wonderful rec. center and our taxes will be in line with Star and Eagle with less services. Sorry, not for me. We need to think toward the future and how we will pay for things.

Lately I have read several comments about the Western Elmore County Recreation District that are not true, and I feel I must respond. I am not hiding behind a pseudonym like some of you that have made the false statements because I want you to know that these answers are coming from someone who knows. I am the Sec./Treas. of the WECRD.

The statement was made that the WECRD is keeping two sets of books which implies an action that is illegal, hence the statement is libelous. I do NOT keep two sets of books unless you mean the two separate sets for the WECRD and the non-profit Recreation Foundation of Elmore County. Those are two distinct and separate organizations.

I think this misconception may have come from last August's board meeting. In that monthly board meeting/budget hearing, the figures on the monthly WECRD financial statement were not the same as the figures on the proposed budget. This was pointed out, and I explained that the financial statement is prepared the 3rd week in the month, but the budget proposal has to be ready to take to the printer by the first week of August. That leaves about 3 weeks time in which transactions occur, hence, the difference in figures. That did not satisfy some people who insisted the figures be the same even though they were prepared weeks apart.

The other item concerns the number of directors. I will quote here from the Order of Establishment of the WECRD. "IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That the Western Elmore County Recreation District is hereby divided into three subdivisions, as nearly equal in population as possible, to be known as Director's Subdistrict One (1). Director's Subdistrict Two (2). and Director's Subdistrict Three (3). Each district to be described as follows:..." and it goes on to give boundary descriptions. Nowhere does it say "3 to 5 directors." It was created with three subdistricts, period. So there are no vacant seats.

It is my wish that the public find out the facts and rely less on rumor.

Lately I have read several comments about the Western Elmore County Recreation District that are not true, and I feel I must respond. I am not hiding behind a pseudonym like some of you that have made the false statements because I want you to know that these answers are coming from someone who knows. I am the Sec./Treas. of the WECRD.

The statement was made that the WECRD is keeping two sets of books which implies an action that is illegal, hence the statement is libelous. I do NOT keep two sets of books unless you mean the two separate sets for the WECRD and the non-profit Recreation Foundation of Elmore County. Those are two distinct and separate organizations.

I think this misconception may have come from last August's board meeting. In that monthly board meeting/budget hearing, the figures on the monthly WECRD financial statement were not the same as the figures on the proposed budget. This was pointed out, and I explained that the financial statement is prepared the 3rd week in the month, but the budget proposal has to be ready to take to the printer by the first week of August. That leaves about 3 weeks time in which transactions occur, hence, the difference in figures. That did not satisfy some people who insisted the figures be the same even though they were prepared weeks apart.

The other item concerns the number of directors. I will quote here from the Order of Establishment of the WECRD. "IT IS FURTHER ORDERED, That the Western Elmore County Recreation District is hereby divided into three subdivisions, as nearly equal in population as possible, to be known as Director's Subdistrict One (1). Director's Subdistrict Two (2). and Director's Subdistrict Three (3). Each district to be described as follows:..." and it goes on to give boundary descriptions. Nowhere does it say "3 to 5 directors." It was created with three subdistricts, period. So there are no vacant seats.

It is my wish that the public find out the facts and rely less on rumor.

Old Guy, as I said, the office is usually open on Tues, Wed, and Thurs. If you came on one of those days and it was closed, then probably the bookkeeper was on leave and there were no volunteers to open the office. If you come in and the directors aren't there, you can schedule and appointment to see them. I'm willing to bet anything that if the directors had hired a full-time office assistant to keep the office open more hours, they would have been severly critized by the naysayers in this town for wasting taxpayer's dollars on such frivilous luxuries.

Wow maybe Boomerbeth should run for a board seat since she cannot the vision for the clouds. yes we had 60% vote yes, but how many people actual voted that year? Was it a low turn out? Most people on the BB have not gone over and looked at their plans on the wall, PHASE 1..has THREE swimming lanes.. NOT a swimming pool for kids, but a three lane lap pool. a therapy pool for those that need therapy.. NOT a swimming pool for kids or for the schools to use for PE.. Ther is a three/lane walking path.. and a couple rooms.. So what does a lap pool (3 lanes) therapy pool, walking lanes in a million $$ building good for MT home. Where is the committee center, where are the rooms for after school kids to go to, what about a climing wall, what about some meeting rooms or rooms to be rented for wedding, meeting etc. Why can't phase 1 be phase 2 and make more stuff for the public, also why should tax dollars be used to put in a weight room when we have four local business, the WRECED should not compete with local business or run them out of buisness. I hope those out with petations take a flyer with the diagram of Phase 1 so people see there is NO POOL.. just three lane lap poola nd the thearpy pool. Every one wants stuff for the kids there BUT there is nothing in phase 1 and if it took us 9 years to get phase 1 how long for phase 2?? 10 years.. I have not found 1 people that I have asked and I have asked many if they would play $400.00 for a season family pass.

as for the golf course, Ratliff just said that to get you all fired up, whiched worked as the money will go to the COUNTY and it CANNOT go to the city golf course. Ratliff is a golfer, so maybe he is hoping it would as they the city does need money for that money-lossing properity.

Dont see you all complaing about that "golf course" every check to see how much the city has to put in there budget every year. you would faint.

Good luck to all those out doing petation drive this weekend.