WECRD should be treated better

Dear editor:

I am writing to encourage voters within the Western Elmore County Recreation District (WECRD) boundaries to check out the facts before signing the petition going around to dissolve the district.

One of the individuals that is spearheading this campaign does not have her facts straight. Another thing, she only tells the negative points of every report she reads or quotes to the public. Unfortunately most of us are so busy we do not take time to research what is factual. I believe the only way to know the facts is to attend a WECRD Board meeting, talk with a director or ask for a copy of the minutes.

Speaking of having facts, I recently attended a board meeting where Councilman Geoff Schroeder had pointed out some incorrect information. I believe Councilman Schroeder needs to have the Recreation District Code in front of him before stating the WECRD directors are doing something wrong.

I could not believe the demands the citizens have been placing on the WECRD board. I believe this board has bent over backwards to accommodate requests being made. In fact they went to a once-a-week meeting.

One woman accused the board of not allowing them the opportunity to talk with the architect, when in fact Mr. Olson was just at a meeting; however this was not a convenient time for her.

I have one last comment; I am concerned about how some citizens and Councilman Schroeder continue to treat the WECRD board. It is one thing to have an opinion but another to disrespect these individuals. We need to remember they are elected officials and deserve to be treated as such. I have yet to be at a community gathering where the WECRD board has been acknowledged as other elected offices in attendance. I am also concerned with how professionals contracted by the WECRD are treated, from the election clerk, attorney to the architect. We will never get anyone professional from outside to come in and work with us if they are not treated better.

Please just get your facts straight before signing or saying anything. It just hurts our community as a whole. If you did sign the petition and find out you were given false information contact the county election clerk to find out if you can have your signature removed.

Teri Smith