FWPDA has been misunderstood

This is in response to the Jan. 28 letter regarding the Fort Worden PDA and its mission. The first clarification is to Mr. Goldenberg's statement that "someone" from the hospitality industry has been hired to "run" the PDA.

Hospitality (managing the fort's accommodations and meeting rooms) is a critical element of our mission as required by our lease with [Washington] State Parks. People coming here to participate in programs and learning activities need improved accommodations and hospitality services.

Todd Gubler, former general manager of Lake Crescent Lodge in Olympic National Park, has the perfect set of skills to oversee and manage these functions.

Next, apparently the writer missed the lengthy article in the same section of the Leader that showcased the story of the successful partnership between the city, PDA and Peninsula College to undertake the renovation of the $6.7 million renovation of Building 202 to serve as a modern educational facility, offering classrooms that can be used by other groups for exactly the same type of programs (children's educational programs, organic gardening, etc.) suggested by the writer.

This is the first major cornerstone project of the Lifelong Learning Center - not the pub. The PDA has recently completed significant improvements at the Commons to make it a family-friendly gathering spot where people can sit around the fireplace (with high-speed Wi-Fi) and renovated the coffee shop into a full-service cafe serving breakfast, treats and lunches.

With respect to the pub, the Washington State Parks Commission and partner organizations at Fort Worden strongly encouraged the PDA to make the pub a priority project - a place where guests, campers, event-goers and community members can go after a workshop, event or as part of spending an enjoyable day at the fort. One of the goals of the pub is to reduce the need for guests to drive through local neighborhoods to go downtown in search of a beer.

The PDA is absolutely committed to bringing new programs and learning opportunities to the fort as part of its lifelong learning mission. We will be embarking on an inclusive planning process with our partners and other community stakeholders later this month to explore new uses and programs that enhance and expand our mission. Finally, we are equally committed to serving locals at the fort on a daily basis, not just for special events.

DAVE ROBISON executive director Fort Worden Public Development Authority

Why do we need sports facility?

When I asked principal Whitney Meissner why we need an $11 million sports facility, she explained that attracting folks to sporting events would induce them to disburse wads of cash at our many fine restaurants and inns.

When I questioned the propriety of soaking retirees so as to subsidize the economy, Ms. Meissner's tone noticeably dimmed, shifting from that of a conciliatory public employee to the contempt of a bureaucrat who is unaccustomed to being questioned.

The important thing, she said, was to teach "leadership" - the usual claptrap that our failing schools have been feeding us for years.

Fact is, home-schooled kids, who are not subjected to intramural athletics, test better. School sports don't promote "leadership" - they encourage group-think and submission to authority; they might prepare your empty-minded kid for a career in the infantry, but they do nothing to teach him to think critically and courageously.

TERRFNCF KNIGHT Port Hadlock

The Leader asked principal Whitney Meissner to respond to this letter. She wrote:

"The bond issue before the Chimacum School District voters is primarily to replace the well-used Chimacum Elementary building by adding classrooms to the primary school, which will then house grade K-5. The athletic improvements we are requesting will be for outdoor classroom and extracurricular use, and yes, will keep our kids and families in Chimacum for events.

Research is clear that students who participate in extracurricular activities achieve higher scholastically than nonparticipants. It is also true that athletics teaches people hard work, cooperation and yes, leadership. There are many ways to learn to be a leader; in volvemen t in athletics and activities is but one of many routes. Our community offers many rich educational opportunities, and I am grateful of all the options: home school, private school, parent partnerships, and yes, public school. Learning happens everywhere, including on the campus - indoors and outdoors - of Chimacum Schools."

Why give up your ownership?

Why would any person voluntarily give up their ownership in a cooperative financial institution which serves their community to a set of managers and new list of owners/entrepreneurs who want to expand and grow bigger and bigger? It would be like Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" voluntarily signing over the S&L to Mr. Potter.

In December, I called First Federal in Port Angeles. I was informed that "Sandler and O'Neill" of New York City would be overseeing the election.

I asked, "Who hired this agency and pays their salary to collect and to count the votes?"

The answer: First Federal - the same people who want us to give up our rights of ownership in our community S&L. Will they count these votes in public in front of the current owners?

We were told the voting period ended around Jan. 6.

Last week I walked in to First Federal, and the voting had been extended. I guess if you don't get the outcome you want you just extend the time and try to convince more people to voluntarily give up their power/ownership.

I was told that the extension occurred because they had to have a certain percentage of the depositors cast their ballots. If that is the case, these managers are really poor planners and should not have given the members only about one month to vote to begin with. They should have "foreseen" that getting all the votes in should have taken longer. Given this lack of planning, I'm not sure I want these people running First Federal if they get the vote they want.

If you haven't voted, please vote no. Don't be fooled into voluntarily giving up your right of ownership.

KEVIN CLARK Port Townsend

Editor's note: This letter came in past the voting deadline of Jan. 28. The bank's conversion from a depositor-owned savings and loan bank to a stock-owned bank that would be publicly traded on the NSDAQ has been approved, according to the bank's press release on Jan. 29.