Letter to the Editor

WECRD objects to story

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Dear editor:

WECRD meetings are open to the public and the Directors are encouraged to see the increase in attendance. The Board welcomes the opportunity to listen to concerns and to clarify comments. The WECRD writes this letter to inform residents of statements actually made at the WECRD meeting Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009.

Ms. Stucky, author of the Mountain Home News article dated Wednesday, Feb. 4, and titled 'WECRD board questioned sharply as it modifies plans,' wrote: "Board members Mollie Marsh and Jana Borgholthaus said they met Jan. 16 with the district's architect..." That is incorrect; Jana Borgholthaus stated she met with the architect.

Ms. Stucky also wrote: "Chris Alzola asked the committee to reconsider development of the center and to use the grants and funds for other recreational activities instead. The board strongly disagreed with her, indicating it intended to move forward with its current plan." The record shows Ms. Alzola asked the directors, "Are you sure that a building is really necessary... could it be used better with just grass and stuff for football, soccer, that kind of thing?" Ms. Alzola continued with other concerns and the directors accepted her comments.

Ms. Stucky continued: "The board also was sharply questioned about the costs of the facility, which opponent Alan Bermensolo...." That is inaccurate. Mr. Bermensolo prefaced his remarks by stating, "I am pro Western Elmore County Recreation District. You've never heard me say anything about disbanding the district.... At this point in time, I don't believe that is the right course."

Later Ms. Stucky wrote, "The HUD grant is a key component of the funding the district is anticipating using to build the community center, in order to avoid having to go to a bond or otherwise raise taxes." The facts are: 1) the HUD money is less than 15 percent of the actual funding for the Recreation Center; 2) The WECRD Directors were not asked about, nor did they mention a bond or raising taxes.

Another misstatement by Ms. Stucky was: "Marsh said during the meeting that if the center happens to be in the flood zone the facility will be constructed higher off the ground."

To clarify this, a guest asked, "Have you considered the floodplain? What are you going to do about it?" Director Marsh stated, "That's why we are doing the environmental assessments with Bionomics. Once we go through that then we'll be cleared with federal money... That's why we are taking those precautions. It will have to be built up, and it will be built up...." Marsh, also in her comments, explained the WECRD land is the only parcel in the area that actually has the creek bed still in existence.

The WECRD finds the article discouraging also from the fact that 16 persons spoke at the meeting, many of them supportive, and none of those comments were reported.

2009 holds promise for all of Western Elmore County and accuracy is important as construction of the WECRD Recreation Center nears.

Mollie Marsh

Editor's note: Although Borgholthous' report on the meeting with the architect often used the word "we," after reviewing the tape I agree that it is clear she was the only board member who met with the architect. We apologize for the error.

Alan Bermensolo has never called for dissolution of the district, but clearly is an opponent of the current board's plans, believing the district's funds should be used on programs rather than a facility he believes is too costly for the district to afford.

We stand by the remaining summary statements in the story about the board's actions.