Youth center to try again for WECRD funds

WECRD needs to unhand some cash....Instead of ******* it away on nonsense. I cant wait to attend the next meeting...whenever that is!

They need to close down the WERCD and either have a small committee for the YMCA or nothing. Giving space to profit organizations for their use is not in the taxpayers interest. I think the youth center is utilized by few. The one that opened in the Stardust Plaza only lasted for a twinkle in the eye and then closed. Return the funds to those being taxed and who will never get to use the facilities in their lifetimes. Lets look at giving to schools and improving our city. Look at the surrounding areas of town and downtown. Looks like blight has taken hold.

I for one am not happy with all this going on, the youth center is there to help children go somewhere after school and from what i have seen the last few days it is being utilized, there are people that do rent it out and others that use it to hold meetings. the wecrd is a bunch of crap... they wanted to give the highschool money for the new track when the highschool had the money, so why not reallocate that money to the youth center. it is after all the only place that is known as the YMCA and if they were going to build a new rec center how come it has not been done. excuse after excuse and i think it is high time that new people were elected the wecrd board, in with the new out with the old...

Well Taxpayers pay for;

Housing, Education, Food, Health Care and Prison.

Heck We may as well pay for their Entertainment too

I concur the WECRD needs to disband and turn the funds that have been collected over to the County to dole out as need to recreation programs for people of all ages.

I walk by the youth center daily and it looks like

a dump. If Joe McNeal or whoever owns it, they should spruce it up a little. More parents might use it. Then maybe it won't become another empty storefront downtown.

well Ill tell you one thing if they did fix the place up and reopen it with a new outlook more people would probably use it. they are just looking for excuses and it is completely ridiculous.. and when they hold meetings they always make sure it is during the day so no one can attend it, I know for one i have noticed that and most people are still either working or just getting off of work around 4 or 4:30... have the meeting around 6 or 7 so that people can see what is truly happening in their own community... they are hiding something, and are afraid if it comes out they will be in trouble...

It looks like a dump because theres no money to maintain it. The Youth Center is great for latch key kids from low-income families that can't afford after school daycare. I was a volunteer there and my sons both went there when they were younger. I can't believe there isn't more interest from the parents of this community and the City.

I have seen many children in there especially now since school has been in session my problem is the fact that some of the kids take advantage of the place and leave it a mess, clean the place up and maintain it so it can be a safe environment for children of all ages, don't just shut it down. and don't just fix holes fix the whole thing..

Listen everybody, I think the WECRD is just as big of a fraud and scam of tax dollars as everybody else. Our middle schools have lost sports, and we have nowhere near enough maintenance staff to maintain our schools. With that being said our community needs to come together and come up with a solution to disband the WECRD and have a plan to benefit our schools and current Parks and Rec that runs on very little more than what the WECRD and look at the product our Parks and Rec provides our community with their budget .What these sellouts pay the YMCA alone for "consultation" could do a lot of good for our children, instead of hopefully one day having a building on a flood plain. Bottom line is we have to have a valid reason, and a attainable goal to make the community want to get involved. We've all been fooled by them and quite frankly I believe our town is scared of it happening again.

So let me get this right.. we are giving money to the WECRD to host a writers group (dont know how thats a rec group/more like a library thing), but they wont donate Rec money to the Youth Center which is a Rec program. You disgust me and it looks as though more and more citizens of this town daily. I look forward to th day we can bid farewell to your uselessness and wastefulness. And Im hoping that somehow, someway they find you have cooked the books or broken some law/laws and you get your just "rewards". OM I think if you pushed the petition again you would get well over the amount of signatures needed, especially with parents knowing the WECRD wont spend a dime to aid the Youth Center...

I have supported WECRD since its concept. I would not have supported it without a swimming pool. An indoor swimming pool was to be the heart of WECRD. A lot of our aging population would greatly benefit from the ability to exercise in a reduced weight bearing setting. Without the pool, we will probably just have a very large expensive youth center.

Not that a youth center is bad; our community needs a decent youth center. WECRD done right could provide that as well as a place for all ages.

WECRD has never obtained the funds it needs to go forward with what we voted for over a decade ago. To dole out any money to any project; no matter how worthy it may seem is fraud. Embezzlement, misappropriation, stealing or just the simple term of misuse all apply. Until WECRD stands up to its promise, WECRD funds have to be directed to WECRD goals only. If and when WECRD is up and running as promised (with a pool) and perhaps generating a few extra dollars, then and only then, should consideration to applying those funds outside of WECRD be considered.

I think the WECRD is nuts to give any money to the youth center! Theresa Bowman/Youth Center have been given money by the City of Mountain Home for years to run a youth center. Ms. Bowman has been allowing other organizations to use the youth center---while being funded by the city for a youth center. Ms. Bowman claims these groups are all non-profit. NOT true. The WECRD needs to begin funding recreation for ALL within the District as required by law---not just the youth of this community.

Common2cents, you are lacking. When this was voted on many, many, many years ago, we did not vote for pools. We voted to create a taxing district that was to provide recreation to ALL within that taxing District. We did not vote for pools and what you have stated is not a representation of truth based on the ballot.

The WECRD is a sham. All they (the Board) cares about is their name in lights and large print. It has nothing to do with this community.

Well my apologies OpinionMissy. When the Blue Ribbon committee presented survey results: "...indicated that residents were keenly interested in additional indoor, family recreational opportunities especially: aquatics, personal fitness, family recreation, community activities, and artistic performances"; I thought aquatics meant pools.

So even though the ballet did not list pool(s), I did vote for a pool.

Regardless of how technical you want to get about what was promised and what was on the ballet; a naive and likely majority of us did vote for a pool.

I really do not understand the anger in your rebuttal or actually even a reason for rebuttal. I did not intend my statements to represent the ballot. My statements simply represented how the WECRD was 'sold' to me and that OpinionMissy is the truth.

Common2Cents:

Trust me when I say there was no anger intended in my rebuttal to you. My intent was to point out that ws did not "vote for pools" as you stated. We voted for the creation of a taxing district that was to provide recreation.

You stated:

"If and when WECRD is up and running as promised (with a pool)..."

What was "promised" was a recreation district that would provide recreation to all within that taxing district.

Further, a facility with a poll will NEVER make money or generate extra dollars. Pools are endless pits of money for which we can throw money into and never, ever see a return.

It causes frustration when facts with respect to this group are distorted. This community was sold a bill of goods. None of our elected officials care or feel a need to hold this Board (the WECRD Board) to any sort of standard(s). So, we have a tax that will be around till the end of time. This facility will never, ever survive without a HUGE tax subsidy if it has a pool. Further, the proposed facility will only serve 15% of this community (give or take a little in either direction). So, we have a tax susidized country club for the few that all within the taxing district will pay for. Priceless.

So people using the youth center have been organizations for special needs kids and Optimist Club for KIDS! The center is FOR the youth! OK u say the outside does not look good WELL try coming in! Its a home away from home for a lot of kids! For the little money they have they do a lot for the youth in town. The center serves 400 to 500 A MONTH yes latch key! There is a lot to do in the center that is free or low cost they don't charge for a lot of stuff! WE need to maintain what we have till WECRD wants to build BUT its important to maintain what they have for the youth now!

If organizations/business are using a taxpayer funded facility free of charge to make money then I think that needs to be stopped.

I read the full article and was surprised that for profit businesses were using the building free of charge but I was even more surprised about the budget of the WECRD. What are they doing over there, their annual budget($450,000) is larger than some small towns. I voted for a Rec center for everyone to use not a slush fund for the shifty fifty and its cronies.

WECRD: The county named it Western Elmore County Recreation District. I prefer Wasting Elmore County Revenue Dollars (property tax revenue dollars). No government supported project is perfect, but if you look at the Youth Center, there are quite a few kids that have nothing else. And they certainly won't be able to afford a "Y" membership. So do we just let these kids fall through the cracks. A writers club? Really??? What a quality use of my tax dollars. WECRD needs to get off the pot or just go away, and I would prefer the latter. My tax dollars can be better spent elsewhere. And from what I read above, I am not the only one that thinks they are a complete waste.

I think the Youth Center is an amazing place for kids!(: There is so much to do and is a great place to hang out at!:)

To answer groups using center that are not non- profit they helped us do fundraisers buy toliet paper paper towels and clean the center! BUT futhermore they service special needs KIDS in this town. WE were going to have a partnership with them to stay open BUT some person has ruined that! NOW no one is using the center at all until things get settled! The center has been here for 23 years on a shoe string budget! Its only $850.00 a month to stay open! If u come in and see the place you will change your mind or better come volunteer some time!

WECRD and City Council this is meant directly to both of you --

As things go with this city and the managers of WECRD who take the lead and side of the City Council as stated in the paper last week.....

PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS are for public use. What is so hard about understanding a physical year budget, when funds(tax dollars you get from US!! are available come Oct 1st -NEW TAX money into your mismanaged hands once again. You are accountable to the citizens of Elmore County.

Any child has the use of the Youth Center -Open to the PUBLIC and is NON PROFIT.

How is it that our city drops the ball on its youth and lets a church and attorneys profit from their ignorance. The city has to come up with the money to cover this suit. Is the city not insured?? Instead the city takes the funds away from the Youth Center to help cover their ignorance.

The Youth Center being a thorn in Councilman Schroeders side now has a way and a great excuse of not funding the Youth Center next year. What a win win situation this has been for both the Church and Councilman Schroeder and the WECRD.

Now good people of this new church, why not donate your non taxed dollars back to the youth center. What financial harm has come to the church??

WECRD release PUBLIC funds to help support the Youth Center, they are not asking you to carry the whole burden just a few thousand dollars out of your fund.

Makes you want to say YES I live in Elmore County and proud of it, where we take a great interest in the youth of our town and just a few control the what the public have access to!

Ms. Bowman:

Put blame where the blame should be. You were not truthful in your representations to the WECRD Board and you were not truthful in your representations to the city council with respect to who was using the youth center, why and for what.

YOU ruined it. Thank goodness someone checked out your "facts." It sort of goes hand in hand with the lack of record keeping at your hand a while back that made this paper.

I would worry more about the organizations at risk for losing their Medicaid funding when the state finds out what services those people were obtaining while hanging out at the youth center---a far cry from what the services should have been.

Ms. Bowman, if there is one thing the public has learned from dealing with the WECRD is to trust nothing they say and research, research, research. Please do not think the same will not hold true of you as well. Perhaps before you speak again in public and make a plea for money you will come prepared with factual information.

The City council gets monthly minutes from our M:H Youth Center Board, which states who uses the building and how many we serve! I have never lied about anything with the center, ITS been twisted by some! AND I am here for the kids! The use of the building is for the youth, yes, special need kids were using the building which were asked to leave the library because they can't be quite! Fact is it take $850.00 a month to service 400 to 500 kids a month! Those that know me know that i do not lie the facts have been twisted! THE board has to report everything to the city MORE then most that get there money! So politics aside are we here for the kids or politics!

OpinionMissy, I would like to know where you got your facts from about Theresa Bowman. Pretty harsh calling someone a liar in a public forum without backing up yourself. Your last post proves what a ignorant person you are. After 23 years of giving to this community without asking for anything for herself in return. Like to know what your contribution has been to this community in the years past.

I was very upset myself on the posts against Ms. Bowman. She is not in this for any money or political recognition and is getting fed up with the politics of trying to help the youth of Mtn. Home. I personally know her and have myself volunteered time at the center. These are low-income latchkey kids whose parents would never be able to afford the fantusy Rec. Center as yet to be built. Why do people have a problem with folks that live here and want to help our little town?

I used to go to the Youth Center as a young kid, it kept me out of trouble and from going to the babysitters. The volunteers there were very nice and even helped me with homework when needed. We signed in, were given an afterschool snack and played with our friends. I had a lot of fun there and would hate to see it close up after all these years.

Where I get my facts! First, this paper covered the fact that the books for this organization were lacking. For a point in time, the city pulled their funding. All covered by this paper and all in City Council Minutes.

Ms. Bowman being less than truthful/factual (I never called her a liar) about profit v. non-profit, also covered by this paper. Ask the WECRD Board what was presented to them. Call Councilman Schroeder who was also at the meeting of the WECRD where Ms. Bowman spoke. And as far as those numbers on how many children are "serviced" by the youth center----I would have to believe that Ms. Bowman has also included in her child count those that are at the youth center for other reasons---through the for-profit "non-profit" groups.

I have ALWAYS been an advocate for a facility to help the youth of this community. I am however against the waste of MILLIONS and MILLIONS of tax dollars for nothing but a bunch of bull and empty promises (the WECRD) or a groups political and social agenda.

As for what I do for this community. I donate plenty of time and money to the people of this community and do it without needing to have my name in the paper, etc. I have lived here for longer than most military spouses and believe it is very important to give back to your community.

So, before you attack the truth and facts and assume that what I say is to be mean spirited, consider that what is being represented to you on here by someone with a dog in the fight may not be exactly 100% factual---for whatever the reason!

Good day to all.

everyone on here seems to be caring more about the money then the children who need this facility, take a poll in highschool or in any school and see how many children will use the facility it is not about the adults its about the children and I think that many of us have forgotten about that.. like i said think for once about the children not about money or power or who is right who is wrong... grow up people get a life.....

"Think of the children" Sounds like something the schools would say when they want more money. I'm not saying that the youth center isn't a worthy project and that we shouldn't support one.

What I'm saying is due to the poor handling of the cities business "see the church fiasco" and the waste, waste, and more waste of taxpayer money. People are fed-up.

This lawsuit is taking money that could be used for the upkeep of a youth center away and giving it to lawyers and a church.... (Sorry I laugh every time I call it a church). If they were a church they would donate 100% the money to the youth center or better yet decline to take it. But the greedy congregation will take all they can get from this community at any cost.

As for the WERCD funds they should go for what they were collected for, a community recreation center. They need to stop writing checks to this project and that project. WERCD doesn't stand for Western Elmore Recreation of Children District. After collecting taxes for more than 10 years with interest they should of had enough money to build a community recreation center. But by wasting money every year and giving to this organization and that organization they are just bleeding money. The best part is they keep saying we don't have enough money to build anything yet. WELL QUIT SPENDING AND GIVING IT AWAY THEN.

Between a city council that is inept, a church that is looking to make money by suing the citizens of this town, and a WERCD situation that screams waste it is a wonder that anything is accomplished in this town.

Im just tired of paying money for something that hasnt been built and when the community needs money to fix up buildings such as the youth center the people are told no and not really given a reason, I think there is something more then what people are being told and the truth will come out and when it does there will be only bigger issues...

could someone explain why my last post was deleted there was nothing in their that was offensive and there was no harsh language, this is ridiculous...