HomeMy WebLinkAbout021226 email - Support for Current Management of Quilcene and Brinnon Community Center ManagementALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them.
Hello Commissioners,
I have recently become aware that the North Hood Canal Chamber of Commerce, a small organization representing a very limited portion of south county businesses, is interested in taking
over management of the Quilcene and Brinnon Community Centers. I would like to express my strong belief that this would be a mistake.
I have lived in Quilcene for 15 years. For many of those years, I occasionally wondered why there wasn’t more happening at the community center. Over the past several years, however,
I’ve been pleasantly surprised by the positive changes facilitated by OlyCAP and Richard Fitzgerald. The renewed community and youth focus that Richard has brought has made a meaningful
difference.
My family has attended pancake breakfasts and game nights, and we now stop by the community center simply to play and connect with others far more often than we used to. I have rented
the center for one of my children’s birthday parties and have attended a yoga class there as well. My children also attended an Art Camp facilitated by the Benj Project at the Quilcene
Community Center. The center is warm, welcoming, and truly feels like it is for everyone. I’ve spoken with Richard about ideas for additional classes and activities, and he has been
supportive and encouraging. It finally feels like we have a true community center.
In my view, OlyCAP and Richard are doing an excellent job listening to community feedback and continuing to improve the space.
I believe it would be a mistake to allow a business-focused organization to take over and attempt to reinvent what is already working—especially when they do not have experience with
the type of community-centered work currently being done. We do not need our community center to function like a business; we already have businesses in our community serving that role.
OlyCAP is a social services organization, which makes it a far better fit for this work, and they are already doing an excellent job.
From my perspective, this effort appears to be driven by a small group of individuals who are out of touch with what the broader community truly wants. Over the past several weeks, I
have spoken with at least 25 community members about this issue, and none have expressed interest in the Chamber taking over management of the community center.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Rosalinde Czaja