Partners' Post — The Partners' Post Newsletter is mailed to all divide addresses around the 15th of every month. Watch for your copy!
Syversen Named to Pilot Hill Board Position
Kris Syversen was appointed to fill the vacant Pilot Hill area seat on the Board of Directors at the GDRD Board’s June Board meeting. Syversen is an 11-year resident of Pilot Hill. Syversen, a former employee of Hewlett Packard, served 26 years, where he worked on a variety of projects and customer support.
During his time in Pilot Hill, Syversen has served on the Friends of the Bayley House Board of Directors for the past 8 years. He also gained a community–wide perspective serving on the Board of the Cool/Pilot Hill Advisory Committee. In his comments with the Board prior to the appointment, Syversen said, “I have a strong interest in serving my community and be supportive of the progress for the Recreation District.” Syversen fills the recently vacated seat of long–time Board member and Bayley House advocate, John Crane.
2009–10 GDRD Budget Approved While the State was debating, the Georgetown Divide Recreation District Board of Directors adopted it’s annual Budget with little fanfare and no threats of cutbacks. Due to the District planning for the economic downturn and eventual State budget impacts for the past two years, the Board was afforded the opportunity to continue positive movement in providing services to the community.
In approving the $283,644 Operating Budget, the Board reduced spending from last year’s $305,183 spending plan and lowered general tax revenue estimates for the second year due to the economic downturn and an expected take–away by the State of local tax dollars. Last year’s lowered projections served the District well in the deepening downturn and gave the District flexibility to continue plans to take over operations at the Greenwood Community Center, full year operations at Georgetown Community Center, an expanded Community Partners Program, and accept the donation of the Old Greenwood Schoolhouse from the Greenwood Civic Organization.
In his message to the Board, General Manager Carl Clark, urged the Board “to continue its commitment to make a significant contribution toward a General Reserve Fund for the future, helping the GDRD to insulate itself from the State, economic issues, and new facilities in planning now including a grant funded recreation center and pool.”
The Board created a reserve contribution of $42,000 and held a contingency fund of $50,000 to absorb possible State take–aways in adopting the budget.
GDRD + BOMUSD = Community Support
In a continuing expansion of past cooperation, the Georgetown Divide Recreation District and Black Oak Mine Unified School District, recently approved a greatly expanded MOU taking the partnership to the next level and providing the community with enhanced service and coordination of facility use. The new agreement gives official launch to a facility coordination system that has been incubating for the past two years. GDRD will now schedule all school facilities for community use during non–school hours and coordinate usage with GDRD’s many Community Partner groups seeking to use both GDRD and BOMUSD facilities.
The newest Community Partner, Gold Nugget Soccer Club, recognized the value of this coordination in their letter of application into the Community Partner Program saying, “The support the GDRD delivers to its partners is very impressive. We are very encouraged by the direction the community seems to be headed along with the guidance GDRD has been able to bring to the table. We have a strong appreciation for the districts ability to take on the scheduling issues for multiple organizations.”
The GDRD Board, in approving the MOU noted that other youth groups would also be coordinating usage of facilities through GDRD’s online system, including, Divide Little League, Gold Country Girls Softball, Grizzlies Jr. Volleyball, Jr. Grizzlies Youth Football and Cheerleading, and West Slope Volleyball.
GVCA Stage Project Another project recently completed in a long list of projects done through the cooperation of the Garden Valley Community Association and GDRD by providing a new stage floor. The project was done just in time for the annual 4th of July celebration by GVCA volunteers with funding from the GDRD, GVCA, and Judy Ryland’s past Honorary Mayor Campaign fundraising. New permanent posts were also installed in the horseshoe pits for the celebration’s heated contest.
Divide Supply gave the work party a particularly low supply cost rate to help make the project a success and also donated the concrete.
Project volunteers included Byron Pethman, Dan Ryland, Dann Fugh, Patrick Bailey, Charlie Rosenau, Bill Vazina, Richard Grimes, Bob Howell, Bob Stiver, Nanci Pethman, and GDRD Board member Judy Ryland.
Partners Program Extends to Businesses and Individuals The GDRD Board took another step to expand its network in the community by creating three new classifications of Partners. Approved was Associate Partner status with three categories of community members—non–profits with restricted memberships (i.e. homeowner’s associations and fraternal organizations), businesses, and individuals and families.
The Board had received requests and suggestions to create new classifications to further develop “the spirit of community partnership.” The new classifications provide for support to the GDRD for donations, business discounts, and volunteer support.
The Board also approved scheduling the next Community Partners’ Orientation session for July 30. Community Partners are required to send representation to the Orientation session to establish guidelines for the groups as they schedule their activities. It also brings groups together on similar projects and similar interests to eliminate duplication and scheduling conflicts. GDRD will also be asking Partners to participate in revising the GDRD’s 20-year Financial Master Plan.
To make reservations for the Orientation, contact Jacqui Campbell at the District Office.
During his time in Pilot Hill, Syversen has served on the Friends of the Bayley House Board of Directors for the past 8 years. He also gained a community–wide perspective serving on the Board of the Cool/Pilot Hill Advisory Committee.