Last week I resigned my position on the Parks and Recreation Commission. I know that this will not have a big impact on most people in town, but I thought it was important to let everyone know my reasons for resigning.
There are really two issues and they are both related. The first is how some members of the board are trying to restrict and hamper a valuable recreational program. The second is how they feel they can treat the public with little or no respect in regard to the first issue. Personally, I don’t care to be associated with this type of conduct.
Bare Hill Rowing has been providing an excellent recreational and competitive rowing program for many years. It has given Bromfield students a chance to compete in a sport not offered at many schools and in doing so to advance to national excellence. It has provided top quality coaching for the students and has provided a wonderful opportunity for adults to learn to row in its summer programs. Bare Hill Rowing is willing to go to great lengths to be a good partner in these programs.
The Parks and Recreation Commission has been able to work with Bare Hill Rowing for many years to offer their programs at the beach. In recent years Bare Hill Rowing has been harassed by a few members of the Parks and Rec board for everything from where they store their equipment, to where they leave their personal gear while training, to who should be included on the team and how they should be coached.
I have been on the Parks and Recreation Commission for many years. This one issue has consumed so much time at every meeting that other Parks and Recreation business has suffered. I will find other ways to make my contribution to the town.
John Lee
Ayer Road
