Don't dissolve the WECRD

Dear editor:

Now I have heard and read it all! The group of folks that want to dissolve the WECRD have not attended the numerous monthly meetings that we have had every year since 2000.

None of them, as far as I know, have ever volunteered their time, money or efforts to assist the WECRD or this community in establishing the goals of the WECRD.

Ms. Lauric has an "opinion" about everything that is wrong with the WECRD, along with most, if not all of the other political subdivisions and government officials here in the county! However, I have never read that she is making a positive contribution to this community, and her blogs on your website are routinely negative, nobody knows what they are doing, and everything anyone sets out to do is wrong or improper!

With that in mind, after reading your article, I did not read a reason as to why this "group" wants to dissolve the WECRD, other than to say that "they are disappointed…." So what! Did any single one of the "group" ever attempt to volunteer or help out the WECRD?

Most likely not.

The WECRD was formed in 2000 with the intent of building a year-round recreational facility. It has bought the land, free and clear, and has taken steps, year by year to accomplish its original goal and mandate.

I have lived here for 30 years, having been stationed at MHAFB. In 1977, when I got here, there was very little for the kids and teenagers to do on a constructive, recreational basis.

The WECRD is and has been taking steps, although slowly, to use the taxpayer's money in the most efficient and cost effective way to build the center. This center would create jobs, educational facilities, sports and athletics for all ages, and just a darn good place for kids and families to be. This facility has been needed in this community for way too long a time, and to have a "group" of "disappointed" folks get their way would be a travesty for all of us!

Since arriving here, my three sons have grown and gone to other states, and I have a step-son who only has one more year of school left, and he, too, will be gone. So building this facility does not really impact my family, but that's not the point.

The whole community will benefit from the eventual construction of this facility.

Perhaps Ms. Lauric and her "group" would be willing to vote in favor of a bond to build the facility, instead of trying to construct the center with the smallest taxable consequence, which the Board of the WECRD has been trying to do over the years. I don't think that will happen, as the school district has been painfully aware, not enough folks around here vote to approve the school district bond.

Additionally, as most folks around here know, my firm and I hold the contract to provide Public Defender services to Elmore County. As such, we routinely appear to represent juvenile clients that have been charged with crimes, or are the subjects of child protection cases. Most, if not all, of these kids do not have an affordable, out-of-home, place to recreate. They have school during the day, and no home life in the evenings, or, they just simply make the wrong choices, at no fault or knowledge of their parents. Having a facility available to these kids does and will make a difference in their lives and our community!

I had a single mom, and the best place that I had growing up outside of home, since mom had very little money, had to work, and four kids to feed in a big city, was the Boys & Girls Club. I had positive mentors around me from staff, and I learned how to play pool, bumper pool, competitive sports, crafts, meals and the works. This helped me, and I think I turned out okay, which some of you may not agree, but that's okay too.

It's just that having a facility of the sort envisioned by the WECRD will have a positive impact on our community. I'm an example of the difference such a program can have.

There is nothing positive to be accomplished by the dissolution of the WECRD.

What would be the legitimate motive to do such a thing? The money and property would go to the county, and I guess they could use those funds to bail out the city and the golf course issues, but how many people in the community would benefit from that?

What is the real motive behind this "group" that wants to dissolve the WECRD? Who is this "group"? What constructive influence have they tendered to the WECRD, if any? How many meetings have they attended in the past eight years? What have they done, individually or collectively as the "group," to benefit this community? And does the fact that they are simply "disappointed" make a hill of beans difference when they have not, to my knowledge, made an effort in our community to make a difference?

By the way, in the interest of full disclosure, I am the attorney for the WECRD. I volunteered my time and legal advice to the WECRD and the folks that wanted to create the WECRD for about two years. I now get paid for my work at a reduced rate, and do so as I believe that the WECRD should continue, and that the UN-PAID DIRECTORS should be allowed to continue with the work of the WECRD.

Before signing the Petition to Dissolve the WECRD, think about whether this group has a legitimate answer and reason behind this dissolution!

But folks, if you care about the kids and young family's around here, don't sign any Petition to Dissolve the WECRD! That's my two cents worth!

Terry Ratliff