Y-M-C-A
I'm writing a story for Tuesday's paper regarding a budding effort by the mayors of Guilford County's northwestern towns - Oak Ridge, Stokesdale and Summerfield - to bring a YMCA to the area.
Talks are still in very early stages and there are quite a few steps to be taken before the YMCA agrees to locate a branch there.
However, the mayors do have a general idea of what they want. Each said they would like to see a branch central to all three towns that would have ball fields that could be used by the ever-growing number of children playing youth sports.
And each mentioned the possibility that the towns could work together to but property or take other steps to bring the YMCA to the area. To gauge interest in such a project, the News & Record issued a query on our Reader Advisory Network to members who live in northwest Greensboro and Guilford County zip codes. (If you'd like to find out more about the network, click here.)
(Update: I'm posting a few more responses that I received after last night's deadline. You'll also notice if you read our story in today's paper - sorry folks, it's not posted - and the e-mail replies of the folks we quote in that story, the quotes are not the same. That's because for purposes of a story, we typically go back and re-interview the source over the phone or in person.)
Here are some of the replies:
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I know that I am late, but will respond. Personally, I do not feel the need for the facility. I am 65 yrs old, and have plenty of outdoor activity around the house to keep me active. I would not have an interest in joining. As to giving my tax dollars to recruit a branch, I would come out with a big NO!. The citizens of the three towns are being hit much too hard with taxes since the formation of the towns.
-Dan Horley
Summerfield
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I think we need all the YMCA's we can get. Yes I would join if I lived in that part of Greensboro. This country is getting fatter by the minute and people need the resources of the Y to improve their physical condition. Plus it's a great resource for kids programs and getting kids involved in health and wellness. It is the Young Men's Christian Association and provides a safe, wholesome place for people to get active.
-Dallas Reese
Kernersville
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I am the past mayor of Oak Ridge and still serve on the Town Council.
I am very much in favor of the Town helping to bring the Y to our town. Yes, I would like to be a member. But mainly, I think a Y would be the best way to keep kids occupied and off the streets.
Feel free to contact me if not too late.
-Tom Brown
Oak Ridge
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All I can suggest to you is to take a look at the parking lot at the new Spears YMCA on Horse Pen Creek Road any time, Monday through Saturday and on Sunday afternoons. The parking lot is always full and a tour around the inside of the facility leaves no doubt that there is a need.
There are all ages that participate and I think anything that the city does to encourage exercise will only make the community stronger and healthier. The mayors of Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Summerfield should do everything they can to get the facilities built and other residents of Guilford County should support it.
-Robert Bedwell
Greensboro, NC
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I am very interested in seeing a YMCA branch open in the NW area, and would certainly join. I currently drive to Kernersville to take my four children to their Y. I think the Y is a great asset for residents of all ages. A YMCA offers a comprehensive program of fitness, child care and health support services that you can't find otherwise. I support tax dollars being used to improve the quality of life in my community, and I think a YMCA fits that objective.
-Ann McGough
Oak Ridge
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Yes, we would love to have a YMCA in the NW area. Currently, we have very few recreational facilities in our area. If is was close to my home, I would consider joining.
-Julie Ann Jones
Greensboro
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A YMCA would be a huge benefit to the residents of this area. The Horse Pen Creek YMCA is always extremely busy, and the ride into Greensboro on 220 is horrendous. With the NW part of the county growing, I believe there are enough people in this area that would be interested. As to whether my family would change our membership from Horse Pen Creek would depend on location and services offered.
Have other towns had to use tax dollars to build a YMCA? I am not in favor of incentives for a private business-Dell included. I would rather see tax dollars go for public parks, libraries, etc.
-Debora Mauser
Summerfield
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I am certain that there is a need for a YMCA branch somewhere in northwest Guilford County. The population of Summerfield alone has more than quadrupled since the early 1990s. Personally, I would probably not use the facility, unless space is provided for various types of meetings.
As to the use of tax dollars for this purpose, I would pose this question: Are tax dollars typically used for YMCA facilities? If the answer is yes, then the next question becomes: will county tax dollars be used, or will tax dollars from one or all of the towns potentially providing a site be used? In this instance, I would favor county tax dollars being used.
-David H. Angel
Summerfield
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Although there may be interest in having a YMCA in Northwest Gulford County. The YMCA is a private organization and under no circumstances should tax dollars be used. If there is a demand for a YMCA in the area, let those who will use the YMCA pay for it through membership dues and not through Tax dollars.
Only a tax and spend liberal politician would come up with such a hair brained idea as to tax people just to have a YMCA in the area.
-Robert A. Burchard
Greensboro
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