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Mountain Home News

Sellers tapped to fill WECRD vacancy

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Marsha Sellers has been selected to fill the vacancy on the Western Elmore County Recreation District board of directors.

The opening on the three-person board had been created when Dee Pate resigned due to health concerns.

Sellers will represent sub-district 1 of the district.

According to the rec district, Sellers was chosen by the board "in large part because of her background in the health field." She has been a registered nurse for 40 years -- many of those years spent working at the Elmore Medical Center and Mountain Home AFB Clinic.

She has been an educator in the areas of childbirth, CPR, ACLS and clinical nurse training, and has given educational lectures on heart disease and breast cancer to local womens' groups.

"Her training and career in the health field and excellent communication skills make her a perfect fit to take on the responsibilities as a WECRD director," said Mollie Marsh, board president. "She has also been actively involved in bettering the community.

"Residents here will remember that Marsha led the campaign for the mosquito abatement project. Her tireless efforts resulted in the successful creation of a taxing district in Elmore County for this program," said Marsh. "Sellers is now turning her energy and expertise towards helping the WECRD with their core mission.

"We need her kind of dedication to our efforts towards building a year-round recreation center for this community. When she gets involved with something, she is like a dog with a bone. She won't give up," Marsh said.

"We are lucky to have someone with Marsha's experience and dedication on our board. She will be a great asset for the WECRD," said Marsh.

Sellers becomes the second board member to fill a vacancy since last fall's election in which Marsh turned back a challenge that had focused attention on the eight-year-old district's efforts to build a community center. Jana Borgholthaus had replaced Doug Belt, who had resigned shortly after the election.

Sellers' selection to the board comes just two weeks after the WECRD had shifted gears to begin an effort to explore a partnership with the Treasure Valley YMCA to help it build and operate the proposed center. YMCA officials said it could take up to 15 months to evaluate the WECRD proposal and decide if it wants to be involved.

When not performing nursing duties or working at community improvement projects, Sellers enjoys quiet time with her husband, Robert, a local Fish and Game conservation officer, and their two grown children. Her hobbies include decorative painting and other art work.

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    Wow no one saw this coming !!! So much for variety on the board. I see possible failure in the future.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 3:36 PM

  • Hard to have a variety when only one person applies for that position.

    -- Posted by small town on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 3:54 PM
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    Not defending OG, he's a big boy and can handle himself. But he may be referring to the mindset. It appears Sellers may be in lock-step with the pools at any cost vision held by some of the most staunch district supporters. If that's what the other two members on the board wanted, they got it. If they didn't want it, they could have extended the deadline and solicit for more applicants. We'll see how long the District/YMCA relationship lasts this time around.

    -- Posted by VicVega on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 5:15 PM
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    While I like many of you would like to see something happen, I think we need to sit back and watch. I think that Marsha is an objective person and will look at the totality of the project and help direct and implement change in that organization.

    I also believe that the mission/vision has changed since the Blue Ribbon committee first took this on many years ago. I would agree that it should be redefined through a needs assessment which would give new direction and may not include a pool. I do believe that we need something like a community recreation center that would benefit many of you.

    -- Posted by Watchful Eye on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 5:30 PM
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    Watchful eye,

    It would be nice to have a new needs survey done. When asked about updating the needs of the community in the past, Ms. Marsh has strongly stated that the community wanted a pool and a pool is what they were going to get. She did not seem intereseted in meeting the CURRENT needs of the community. Hopefully the YMCA can steer her and the rest of the board in a better direction then they have gone over the past 10 years.

    And VigVega is correct. IMO the board had thier mind made up on who they wanted to fill the empty seat BEFORE any applications were accepted. While Ms. Sellers is a nice person, she only attended a handful of meetings prior to submitting the application. She has also been invited to many meetings that no one else knew about or were invited to. Sounds like she was selected before the selection was final to me.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 8:32 PM

  • Thats totally awesome Marsha!

    -- Posted by Laurie on Wed, Apr 15, 2009, at 10:23 PM

  • This must be said. Do not get me wrong, Sellers is a smart, educated lady who has done some very good things for this community, however, she was "picked" before Pate ever gave notice which is why she was at the meeting she was at prior. 10 people against could have put their names in and the outcome would have been the same. Why do I say this? While the WECRD Board states they want public comment and the public involved, they really do not want that (evidence of this is the new meeting policy that was put in place). They do not want to listen to anything that is against their grand plan. Sellers is like-minded and wants the pools...she will not make waves. To even think that a "naysayer" would have EVER been appointed would be untrue. This deal was done the night she showed up at the meeting and then remained after the meeting to talk to people. It was pure politics.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 9:54 AM

  • yoB, how can someone working on a petition to get rid of the WECRD stand before the people and state they "support" the "plan" or effort when I do not? I will not state that I support something if I do not. Change is needed on this project and it will not happen when only like-minded people run the show.

    Marsha Sellers was at that evening meeting for a reason and was "invited" to the special meetings after that for a reason. Like everything else, there was a plan in advance.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 12:10 PM

  • yoB, I can see the paper headline and the "pro" folks would have had a hay day with it...person who heads petition to get rid of WECRD wants to join WECRD Board and "support" their Mission Statement. That would have worked well. I did not apply because I did not want the association considering what has gone on over the last 9-10 years. Many people felt that way that could have put their name in but did not. If they refused to listen before the petition why would they listen now?

    Besides, 2 against 1 would not have done a thing.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 1:00 PM

  • I don't think any of you have a right to complain about Seller's nomination. The board opened up the position to the public so all of you who wanted your say and think the board isn't going in the direction you wanted had a chance to apply. You didn't. For those of you who say that the board had decided on Sellers before the deadline is total conjecture on your parts and you have no basis in fact to state that. And to say that the board wouldn't have considered other nominees is also total conjecture with no basis in fact. Once again, the opportunity was there for everyone to apply. I guess its much easier to criticize others who are willing to sacrifice their time and work for something than to actually do the work yourselves.

    -- Posted by boomerbeth on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 6:37 PM
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    BB,

    I stated what I did as my OPINION based on the events as they unfolded. Many of us find it ironic that Ms. Sellers only started to attend meetings just prior to the opening being announced and then after the announcement she is invited to many closed meetings both here and at the YMCA. I am just calling them as I sees them in this guy's personal opinion. Why was no one else INVITED to attend these meetings? Explain that one to me.

    And as for not having the RIGHT to complain, I totally disagree with you there. To use your logic, since you did not run for president, then you have no RIGHT to complain about any choices he might make. You ruffled this OldGuys feathers with that silly comment. We all have the RIGHT to complain when we see something not being done right in a public organization. That is one of the fundamentals this country was built upon. Try to tell those that PROTESTED on April 15th that they don't have the RIGHT to voice their opinions about what is being done with the tax money they pay. It is the same thing we have done with the WECRD but the problem is that there is no way to hold the borad accountable besides dissolving them.

    -- Posted by B Mullen on Thu, Apr 16, 2009, at 10:33 PM

  • If I had been the only applicant and was appointed...there would be complaining and a lot of it. Not that that is how this would have EVER worked out but...

    People do have the right to complain. Open Meeting Law has been violated (many times). Now, the public cannot comment unless they are on the agenda 1 weeks in advance of a meeting. Why are people not allowed to complain? We all knew how this would work out as it was talked about on the BB, etc. Wow. imagine that---just as we said it would be. If they wanted more applicants, they could have extended the time and put it in the paper again. They got who they wanted and it was all part of the plan. It is the new "Dream Team."

    Have the groups been formed yet? Is there any progress with regard to obtaining new information for the plan? Has anything been done since the meeting with the YMCA? Just wondering.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Apr 17, 2009, at 10:43 AM

  • Those who wanted to apply for the vacant director's seat were given ample time and notice to do so. Extending the deadline wouldn't have made any difference. For health reasons, Dee Pate was requesting that the board fill her position as quickly as possible. In nominating Ms. Sellers, the board has found someone who has an extensive background in the health field and has given much of her time to this community to help better it. Read the article again if you don't think they found a more than worthy candidate. Who wouldn't want Ms. Sellers to be on their board given her background? Any of you out there ever done anything to better this community? Volunteered at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter? Helped organize a charity event? Anything at all?

    -- Posted by boomerbeth on Fri, Apr 17, 2009, at 7:16 PM

  • Yes BB, I have. I volunteer with those that have a terminal illness and I helped plan a fundraiser for a citizen of the community with cancer. We give to the food banks and donate at least a half cow per year to a charity/food bank. I was a CASA volunteer for several years and helped Ms. Sellers on another community project a few years ago. I also volunteer with base projects and sat on a board on Base. I have volunteered for several years with the Idaho State Bar as well on the board for Law Day. And in my "spare" time, in addition to 2 jobs, I fight community projects that are not as they seem or are not as represented. All of which takes time and money.

    What do you do that helps the community Beth?

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Fri, Apr 17, 2009, at 10:53 PM

  • You have 2 jobs? Seems like you're always riding your horses or fighting... something. I wish my mom had more time on her hands. Seems like all she does is work. =/

    -- Posted by yoB on Fri, Apr 17, 2009, at 11:34 PM

  • yoB, your mom seems to have plenty of time to spread the word on/for the WECRD. You make time for the things you want/choose to do. I have a job (outside the home) and run a business with my husband. I am not always off on a horse as you stated...and if I was...what does that matter? What are you attempting to point out? Oh, I know! That I am busy and still have time to work in the community and give back. Thank you. Life is what you make of it.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Sat, Apr 18, 2009, at 9:57 AM

  • Oh calm down. I said it SEEMS like that. All I said was that I wish my mom had time to work, ride horses, and sit on here and post stuff all day long. She doesn't. She has time to work, in recent months she hasn't had time to talk to people about the WECRD. My grandma passed away and my mom now spends her free time on the phone with my grandpa in Portland and doing their taxes. I just wish she had more time in the day to do all of the things she would like to.

    -- Posted by yoB on Sat, Apr 18, 2009, at 12:30 PM

  • www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

    -- Posted by dreamer4goodness on Sat, Apr 18, 2009, at 9:17 PM

  • "Once again, the opportunity was there for everyone to apply. I guess its much easier to criticize others who are willing to sacrifice their time and work for something than to actually do the work yourselves" Boomerbeth.

    Kudos for you!!!! When reading OM's posts I have noticed that is exactly all she can do plus slander others. That and come up with excuses for her not to be involved or blowing her own horn because she is a legend in her own mind. Hummm very telling.

    As stated only one person applied for the position, if all you can do is critize without constructive suggestions, keep it to yourself.

    -- Posted by Whyarentyoulistening? on Sun, Apr 19, 2009, at 12:12 PM

  • Dreamer, thank you for the link. Nice posting.

    -- Posted by OpinionMissy on Mon, Apr 20, 2009, at 12:44 PM
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