To the Editor:

I have several questions for the Board of Supervisors about the $30,000 annual country club payment being discussed. When was this proposal discussed at an open board meeting, how and when was a BOS member(s) appointed to work with Franklin to come up with a plan? I didn’t hear it discussed nor did I find it in the minutes. Where is the openness and transparency?

The Board of Supervisors will vote at the September meeting to give the country club an annual payment of $30,000 to maintain the golf greens. This money was put in the budget for “youth recreation.”

This request is on top of a $10,000 yearly tax reduction already given them by the BOS.

The country club is a private business. It will take years to change people’s attitudes about playing golf. Hard-working people cannot afford this gift so that others can play golf at a reduced rate.

It is my opinion that if anyone on the Board supports this $30,000 allocation and benefits from this donation, they should not vote on the proposal. If they do, it should be a conflict of interest.

I have one suggestion to the country club: Get busy and do fundraisers like every community civic club has to do. These groups work hard year round to support our youth sports teams and other needs.

For examples, just look at the recent Boykins Lions Club feast; a raffle in Windsor to support a firefighter;  and there are many other examples. Civic organizations work all year to raise money to support community activities. The country club should do the same.

Please attend and tell the supervisors what you think. The meeting is on Monday, Sept. 25, at 7 p.m.  Tell your friends to come too.

Glenn H. Updike
Newsoms