Rec board against merger with Forum

Rec board against merger with Forum

To the editor:
    As members of the Recreation Advisory Board we are concerned about the proposed changes recommended in the 2011 municipal budget.
    The recreation department has always provided a tremendous service to the youth of Presque Isle. For tax dollars spent, there can be little argument that the department maximizes taxpayer dollars to provide quality, safe programming for all our children. 

    With the proposed cuts we are afraid that what parents have come to expect from the recreation department will be in danger. Losing programming and maintenance staff will jeopardize existing programs. Our aging facilities require more care and maintenance than ever and programming lies at the heart of what the recreation department does.
    Combining the recreation department and the Forum will draw attention and effort away from children’s programming.
    While the recreation department offers planned recreation activities for our children, the Forum does not offer such programming but rather exists to provide a rental facility for outside entities to use. We fear that the combining of the two departments will negatively impact the ability of the recreation department to continue to offer safe and quality activities for the citizens of Presque Isle.