Webb Community: Can we talk about our youths?

To the Editor:

Much of the town talk has taken a turn toward the candidates and their platforms in the upcoming elections. I am writing this with the hope of bringing issues of our young community to the table.

I hear talk about financial responsibility, affordable housing, elderly services, tourism, etc. All issues that need to be addressed and deserve community attention, but will anyone address the elephant in the room?  

Our youth is suffering, which begs the question, exactly what services does the town offer to our most delicate, our most needy, our future?

Yes, we have KYAC, which is open from September through June for approximately 20 to 25 hours per week. It is mostly occupied by 11 to 14 year olds, and is often closed irregularly during the school year due to staffing issues.

We have a recreation department that offers a few sporting programs, like adult basketball and volleyball, if the Park Avenue building is available. We have a baseball field on Park Avenue, with no lights for night time play and no restroom services available once the Park Avenue building is closed.

We have the North Street Pavilion with unsafe lights, an aging and unsafe playground, and an unusable baseball field. We have an uncovered ice skating rink with no warming hut, restrooms or boards so the kids can play hockey.

But I was so glad to hear that McCauley Mountain recently received a grant for a new playground. What was wrong with the last one? It was actually bigger and still had lots of life left. Wouldn’t the recreational grant money be better spent on needed improvements?

It amazes me that the Town of Inlet, with fewer year around residents, has a better ice rink, baseball field, tennis courts, and youth commission. Why is this?

Has the Town of Webb Board become so financially conservative that we have forgotten about the majority of our taxpayers who are families with children, grandchildren, neighbors, and friends in the Town of Webb UFSD? Why would anyone expect these kids to return as young adults and try to start their own businesses and raise a family here?

Isn’t that what we are ultimately striving for? Does the town board have a liaison who meets with the school board on a regular basis to discuss current issues and concerns?  Maybe if they did the lights would be on at North Street as our young people begin the soccer season.

We, as a community, spend so much of our time and energy catering to tourists and the tourism industry that we seem to have lost sight of the needs of the children and young adults that live here. This is their home; they deserve to be put first and are entitled to the best we have to offer them.

We are a community that takes care of each other in times of need and our youth need us now more than ever. The town board and the community at large need to reassess our collective priorities.

Looking forward to the next Town of Webb Board meeting and candidates night.

Signed, Angry mother in Thendara, Laurie Barkauskas

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