Letter to the Editor

It's time to dissolve WECRD

Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Dear editor,

On May 29, 2015, I started a petition to dissolve the Western Elmore County Recreation District. The reason I was driven to do this was due to the fatal accident with four teenagers (two survivors) that frequently visited the Youth Center.

I had been looking into different avenues to provide recreation for all people in the community for years, and this situation overcame me with sadness, anger and frustration. These kids might still be here if only something was available for them.

When I think about the recreation district, I don't get involved in all the politics because to me it is pretty black and white. If you are taxing for recreation then you provide recreation it's as simple as that!

If the Fire District (taxing district) said, "We are saving money for a building and during this time and so we will not provide any fire protection," what would the community say? Would they let this continue for years?

Or what about the Highway District whose taxes go to provide road repair and safety? "Well we are building a new building so no road repairs will occur,"

We would be appalled!

So then, why is it ok for us to stand idly by and not provided with ANY recreation when we are being taxed for it by the WECRD for 13 years?

If you want to make a difference, let's get on with this. Sign the petition and get this issue on the ballot. It's time to put these recreation dollars to use for the good of everyone in the district NOW! Let's give the community what they have been paying for -- RECREATION!

When people complain about an issue and do nothing, it sends the message that there really isn't an issue -- we're okay with the status quo. The time to act is NOW before a $5 million building is built that cannot be sustained without lots of tax dollars and donations.

Act NOW before your tax dollars are used to compete with and destroy our local businesses. Show the community that you want a better place for ALL of us. The Ballot Box is the answer! THE TIME IS NOW!

For petition information, please feel free to contact me via email: WMastroeni@yahoo.com, or phone: (208) 598-5387. You can find us on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/StopTheMadnessNow/ and find more information via our website at: http://stopthemadnessandthewecrd.blogspot.com/

Very respectfully,

-- Wendy K. Mastroeni,

Mountain Home