I know nothing about the rowing program personally, but I have taken great pride in its enormous achievements over the past few years. I don’t know how many times this summer I’ve heard people say, “Our little town has the best rowing team in the country? It’s unbelievable!”
So I was startled and upset to read about the program’s cutback, John Lee’s resignation, and the disrespect shown to him. But I thought I should at least wait to hear the other side before coming to any conclusions.
Pat Nelson articulated that other side, her side, in a letter to the editor last week. It boiled down to this: Parks and Rec and BHRA had an agreement to increase the size of the rowing team, with the caveat that this would be revisited if problems arose. The arising “problems” seem to be that this one person, Ms. Nelson, just “felt” that there were too many students converging on the pond at one time. She also “felt” that this might be precluding others from using the beach—what proof she has of this, she does not say, beyond one vaguely attributed email. Later she tips her hand—the real problem seems to be the inclusion of students from other schools. Graciously, she allows that these “others” can remain in the program until they graduate or drop out. After that, it will be a purely Bromfield program—whether or not that jeopardizes its health and continued success, she does not say, nor does she seem to care.
So because of Ms. Nelson’s “feelings,” we are risking jeopardizing a popular program that has achieved remarkable results? Clearly, Parks and Rec is broken. Town boards are not personal fiefdoms, nor are they places to exert power and force changes that the town hasn’t asked for and does not want. When and if large numbers of seniors and families start openly complaining about the rowing program, we can look for an equitable solution. But frankly, I doubt these people exist.
When are the next elections?
Kathy Waugh
Littleton Road
