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AN OPEN LETTER TO ALL CITIZENS OF LITTLE CANADA As the past Recreation Director (1966- 1976), and also a 20 year member of the Little Canada Recreation Association, I'm urging 'all' participants - young and old, past and present - to consider and act on the following subjects: ALLOWING ANOTHER CITY TO TAKE OVER ADMINISTRATION OF OUR RECREATION PROGRAM: Under the terms of a proposed agreement, Roseville Parks & Recreation Department would administer all of our current and future programs. This would include registering the children, recruiting the coaches, dividing up the teams, ordering uniforms and equipment, scheduling the facilities, coordination of park maintenance, and all of the other duties currently being performed by our three part-time Recreation Directors. In payment for the above services, Little Canada would pay Roseville $30,000 per year, and our three Recreation Directors' positions would be eliminated. I believe this is the beginning of a total merger of Little Canada's programs into Roseville's. As your past Director, I can say this proposal will not work. I say this from experience. During the years 1966 -1970 we belonged to a program in a larger community. When that program had enough participants from their community, Little Canada was no longer welcome. Today that same community is now looking for added participants. As I see it now, that rejection was a blessing in disguise. Because as volunteers we were then motivated to create our own programs. And during the following years we have done just. that! Along the way we have established good solid youth programs creating tremendous community pride and "identity. This translates into building strong and active character within the youth of Little Canada. I believe that implementation of this agreement will be detrimental to our youth. I am encouraging you to be heard on this proposal. FULL TIME PARKS AND RECREATION DIRECTOR: Our City Council has taken the correct and prudent action in creating this position. For the past 37 years this position was filled by volunteers or part-time paid volunteers. The dedication and commitment by all cannot be measured monetarily! All we have to do is look around us. Speak to our youth and their parents. The proven character cannot be compared to dollars. Jim Morelan worked under my supervision during the '60's and '70's. He has been involved in every facet of our park and recreation program. From being on his hands and knees grubbing out stumps in creating what is now Gilbertson Field and Spooner Park, to directing a complete park and recreation program. He has done this for the past 14 years - without much pay. Although our city has been taking applications and exploring other options for this position, there is no question in my mind who is totally qualified for the job. Jim Morelan and his family have dedicated a quarter of this century toward the betterment of the youth and others of Little Canada. Without any doubt, he has earned the right to be the City of Little Canada's first full -time Recreation Director. Our City Council will be addressing these issues at their January 8 meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. If you cannot attend the meeting, you can voice your opinion by calling the City Center at 484 -2177. If you have any questions, please call me at 484 -7375. Hoping for the best, Dick Boss Page 3