About the Parks and Recreation Report tonight....

Tonight we heard from the Parks and Recreation Department. To tell you the truth, I was more then a bit upset by the Director's attitude toward Senior Citizens.

In the report we learned that the Seniors from the Dundee Community Center recently went to Hot Springs and paid for the trip themselves.  The Director went on to say the Seniors who went to Hot Springs learned that they could do things by and for themselves and not depend on the County to do things for them.

During the same report, there was a discussion about the students the County is hiring to work for 8 weeks this summer.  Then there was mention of some of these students working the concessions venue at the Arena.  Are these students working hours our regular part-time workers depend upon?  Is this money in the recreation budget or is this another year of the Director telling the Board of Supervisors to find the money? 

Before I finish up with the point of this post, please know that I have been opposed to this Summer Jobs Program for many years and can produce reports detailing those objections.

Now on to another recreation issue.

First, I think this "job readiness program" taught at the rec. center for high school students during the regular school year belongs in the School System.  The School District has the space, the money and the teachers to work with our students during the school year. 

Second, what does job readiness have to do with recreation? 

Third, with my belief in where this program belongs, it seems to me we are most likely duplicating employees at the Recreation Department.  At the very least, the Recreation employees who are involved with the job readiness program need to be concentrating on recreation. 

Fourth, when last year's budget was being formed, I questioned whether the money for the Summer Jobs Program was included in the budget.  The indication was that these funds were included in the Rec's part-time line item.  I've been around this budgeting process for more years then some and I knew that this was how the Rec Director worked.  Last year, Supervisors told the County Administrator to find the money for the Summer Jobs Program.  This year and because it is an election year, it's the same story: Find the money.  I don't agree with this.  Our regular staff has been subjected to a reduction in pay.  So, how can this expense be justified?

Fifth, why didn't the Rec Director find a grant to pay for this Summer Jobs Program?  Earlier in the year there was a discussion about this very subject.  What happened?

Back to the point of this post:  Where did this Director get the idea that it is okay to take County money to fund the Summer Jobs Program while running such a lame Seniors' Program?  We need to get to the bottom of the Parks and Recreation Director's attitude toward our Senior Citizens.