WECRD clearly needs new leadership and a new vision

Dear editor:

I have been following the Western Elmore County Recreation District (WERCD) closely for the last couple of years and find interesting the opinions of those in our community.

This year's board of directors' elections have even peaked my interest to the extent of attending a couple Community Leadership Development Committee (CLDC) meetings.

I applaud these folks for the hard work they have put into the process of determining a recommendation of what's in the best interest of the community. Our community should be very proud of the CLDC volunteer members.

I was somewhat amazed that the WECRD has been collecting our tax dollars for nine, yes nine, years with no visible progress. I'm not sure the voters who voted the WECRD into existence envisioned we would be at this point after ten years.

Nor would I suspect they would think it would take $6.5 million in addition to the $2 million currently accumulated for us now to build a facility with a swimming pool.

Don't get me wrong, I am not opposed to a swimming pool, but I do question in our current economic times, who is going to pay the $6.5 million?

Donations? Increased taxes? Fees to use the facility? A loan requiring a bond? These are the possible sources to raise the $6.5 million that I have heard discussed.

I also was one of the random selectees to answer the most recent survey. I'm not sure that it was crystal clear to those taking the survey the source and the amount of funds required. I can say the figure of raising an additional $6.5 million was not mentioned in the survey. I believe it's an unknown how that would factor into the survey results.

Also, when taking the survey, I tried to explain that our community is a bit different than most cities that have a YMCA recreation program.

Living close to the airbase, we have a large population that is either active duty or retired military or civil service members, a population eligible to use the base recreation facilities. I explained to the survey taker that I, for one, would probably opt to use the base facilities as opposed to paying a fee of $40-$60 a month to use the YMCA. I don't believe this was factored into the questioning. I do believe this could adjust the numbers for potential users.

Another thing I have learned that concerns me is that our tax dollars, supporting the WERCD facility, would put our local exercise businesses in competition with WERCD should an exercise area be built.

Somehow this doesn't seem right.

I would suggest we look at programs that would supplement the private businesses and our City Parks and Recreation programs. Somehow I think our focus has been so zeroed in on what the YMCA has to offer that we forget we have a City Parks and Recreation program -- that's proven they have a dynamic program in place.

I would encourage voters to vote with the facts as we know them today. Vote for WERCD board directors with the skills to carry the project to the next level. Read and study the facts and positions of all candidates. Question what the community truly needs and especially how and who will pay the bill. The taxpayers have been the source of funding to date.

Having known Judy Mayne for several years, I know she has the skills and integrity to take the WERCD to the next phase. Judy is hard-working, does her research, and is not afraid to make those tough decisions.

I read with interest this week's "Candidates get kiss of death" editorial, stating, "a majority of the board believes the voters should cast their ballots for the challengers, (Art) Nelson and (Judy) Mayne." The reasoning was ..."that the rec district is in serious need of new blood and, more importantly, new direction, which they believe the challengers would provide." I so agree.

Based on this and all the above, my vote will be for Judy Mayne and Art Nelson.

Marilyn Landers