Sellers and Borgholthaus have vision for the future

Dear editor:

Thank you for including me in your piece about local leadership. I was quite surprised and indeed flattered to be included in light of how many people in our community do so much in so many ways.

I also believe Claire Wetherell was a role model of leadership. She always had the bigger picture in mind; worked hard to represent what was the most good for all and was also willing to listen, but also work hard to achieve a final goal. One example would be the hospital. She and a few others fought a very uphill battle to get our local hospital. She was also instrumental, years ago, in expanding the library and more recently remodeling it into a 'state of the art 'facility used by over 1,500 people on a monthly basis.

Among many other pet projects she petitioned for was music and other arts in the schools. All of these and more are enjoyed and improved the quality of life in Mountain Home and its surrounding communities.

I feel that a Community Recreation Center would be an asset to the whole area. Mayor Etter felt the same way 12 years ago. He was instrumental in starting the Blue Ribbon Committee, which was composed of people representing various groups in our town. After intensive studies etc.. the public voted to tax themselves for such a facility... by a 60 percent margin.

The WERCD has been criticized for the direction they have taken. But, in their defense, that has been their goal these many years, pursuing all areas: trying to get the cooperation of the city, financing, sustainability, etc.

They've studied other similar areas with successful operations of rec centers. They have purchased property near the schools and near arterial roadways and saved a substantial fund for building.

However, people were getting tired of waiting, so when a director ran for re-election, she was opposed by a very popular and able opponent who ran on the platform: the information was ten years old and not relevant to today -- and also to start using the tax dollars for other areas of recreation. The director (pledging to get something built) was re-elected.

The WERCD, realizing animosity rising, voted to involve the YMCA, with its impeccable record, for help. The YMCA, through various avenues, public meetings and more recently a survey by an independent group, determined 66 percent of the people still want a center with aquatics.

Now, some of our town leaders and elected officials say, "that may be what they want but they can't afford it." Two of the candidates for election to the WERCD are running on a platform of "Recreation Now," meaning let's use our tax dollars for other forms of recreation now!

Can't we as a public stay united and see a recreation center built; where families and ALL age groups can gather together, not only for recreation but for community unity?

Laurice Bentz