Imagine that a facility is gifted to the borough for literally nothing. This facility is basically in great shape, requiring minor maintenance compared to other borough facilities. In addition, things are happening at this facility that are new age.
For example:
- Imagine a facility being managed completely by a group of volunteers, no labor costs. Imagine that minor maintenance, janitorial, lawn mowing and small repair projects are donated (often by licensed contractors).
- Imagine it serves as an emergency, food security, safe home center, all donated. Imagine the expanding food-security garden with folks from all over the borough participating, with two goals in mind: to teach food security and provide healthy foods for all the people of the Haines Borough.
- Imagine a gathering place for government meetings.
- Imagine a space available to all types of groups, for educational and recreational purposes. Imagine a tool library for all residents (minimal rental cost). Imagine all this and more, provided by volunteers, funded by a minor portion of the property taxes collected from the local area. Many volunteers contribute to these taxes as well as adding countless hours of volunteering.
Now, imagine this: a proposal to sell this facility, in effect pulling the rug out from underneath this community of volunteers and taking away forever the public’s use of the facility for future generations.
Why would anyone propose this narrow-minded idea? I cannot imagine! Please, support all the nonprofit organizations and volunteers in this community. Thanks for reading
Jim Stanford