Dear Editor,
Is raising non-resident fees the only way Brandon Township can fund its recreational programing?
I am writing in response to Mr. Lapp’s letter, ‘Brandon supervisor responds to park and rec fee changes,? The Citizen, March 15, pages 24-25.
I have been a long time resident and taxpayer of Brandon Township and have many, many fond memories of my family’s involvement in the former BGO recreation program as a parent, coach and participant. Currently, I am a substitute volleyball player for Brandon’s co-ed league. If it wasn’t for a particular team comprised of Groveland and other non-residents asking me to sub almost every week, I would not have the opportunity to play as much as I do.
I was astonished to learn that the resident fee for T-ball is now $90 and an extra $60 for non-residents! With today’s poor economic times, I’m not sure I would be able to afford the expense of three children participating in T-ball, soccer and basketball as they have done in the past. These exorbitant fees will only serve to alienate our residents and especially non-residents, from participating in our rec programs. By driving away participants, we are driving away potential revenue, not to mention camaraderie among friends, potential coaches and other volunteers.
I don’t understand why the Groveland residents are still expected to contribute an equal amount of tax dollars to our recreation program when they have no ownership and no say in its operation. Instead of coercing people to pay extra money they don’t have, wouldn’t spending your time and effort trying to find ways to subsidize the recreation program so that fees can be lowered better serve your fiduciary duty? Now that we have a new park can’t we sponsor revenue producing events there, such as car shows, community rummage sales, hot air balloon rides, etc.? How about a recycling center? The City of Troy earned $122,000 last year from recyclables.
I believe, if invited, surrounding community members would even contribute to a recycling endeavor.
If Brandon Township, with its limited tax base, chooses to have a recreation program and costly playing fields on par with communities such as Clarkston, we as taxpayers are going to be absorbing the added expense unless it can be subsidized by other means.
It’s time for the Brandon Township supervisor, recreation director and board of trustees to stop beating a dead horse and use some innovative thinking.
Kathy Thurman
Brandon Township