Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012

Shannon Rowland: A sad day

A sad day

I have lived in Fuquay-Varina for 11 years, and my family has resided here as far as I can remember, but Monday, Aug. 6, was a sad day for the town of Fuquay-Varina. The town council voted 3-2 to pass the proposal brought forth by the town manager to have the parks and recreation department take over the youth sports program effective in September. Yes, they proposed this on July 3 and voted to pass it on Aug. 6, and it will take effect in September. Wow, they move fast around here.

The Fuquay-Varina Athletic Association has run the youth program for over 20 years and now the town wants a change. The council would not even table the issue. According to emails sent by some council members they had already made up their mind. They must not have a child in the fight; if they did, they would understand. Arguments were heated at the Town Council meeting and there was not ONE town resident there to support the proposal by the town. Over three hundred supporters for the FVAA were against the proposal, but that had no bearing to three council members. My faith in government has been shaken once again. I truly loved the community feel of Fuquay-Varina. The FVAA was an extremely large part of that, and now that the town has taken away 90 percent of what they do, it is only a matter of time as to how long it will survive. The town manager’s plan never covered the fact that the employees of the FVAA are in jeopardy of losing their jobs for this; as a matter of fact, there was no mention of what the effects would be on the community. I can tell you, it diminishes the wonderful family feel of our athletic program that so many from all around Wake County come to enjoy. We had an outstanding program that drew people from all around to our athletics program and now we have lost all that was built by so many hard-working volunteers. I believe that the town will soon realize the move was wrong, and then what will they do? Call upon the FVAA once again to be there?

Accountability? Where is the council members’ accountability for this? Thanks to William Harris for his outstanding support for the FVAA. You tried hard, and I appreciate it!

Shannon Rowland

Fuquay-Varina