When I served on the Chapel Hill YMCA board of directors, we frequently reminded ourselves that our mission was to build strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. The Y board cannot build a strong community if it refuses to engage the community in its deliberations. Conducting Y board meetings in closed sessions is just plain wrong, and not in the long-term interests of either the Y or the community.

W. Calvin Horton

Prescott, Ariz.

A better solution

How discouraging it is to see the turmoil created by the board’s decision to destroy the racquetball courts at the YMCA. The unknowns about surveys that no one seems to have taken. The secrets that have prevailed, created behind closed doors. It seems to be obvious that the membership of the “Y” had no knowledge of what was happening until the surprise posting on doors of the racquetball courts.

I have been a participant of the YMCA since the doors were opened. The wellness center is where I spend most of my time at the Y. Too often pieces of equipment are down for days and sometimes weeks. Before walls are taken down and additional equipment added, present equipment should be kept at tip top condition.

Recently I have been in the exercise room at different times of the day. Sometimes most of the equipment may be in use. However, the wait is usually no longer than waiting at a traffic light in town. There used to be a timer on treadmills that shut off after 35 minutes. This would help to rotate use of equipment faster.

The local Y is becoming involved in the Triangle Y. The identity is being lost locally and decisions do not rest totally with them.

Another major issue is parking! Where will additional participants park? We have reported that people park their cars and then walk to the bus stop and get on the bus.

There is no doubt a better solution to additional space. The present fitness room was built as a small gym. Today that excess overhead space is heated. It would be easier to put a second level over the fitness room. You’re building instead of tearing down. I would hope the present board would have a vision beyond a temporary fix. Space will continue to be a problem.

Howard Tate

Chapel Hill

Fitness-floor diversity

I am a YMCA member who is extremely grateful that this steadfast and uplifting organization is a part of our community. I am also a concerned member, unsettled by recent verbal attacks and allegations against the Y.

Some members are upset about the racquetball courts possibly being taken away from them. However, I would like to remind these members, and the rest of the community, of the many other important services the Y offers. The Y offers scholarships for its programs. The Y has a 25-meter pool and offers aquatics classes, swim lessons, and a swim team. The Y also offers some of the best children's programming in the area. The Y provides us with a wide variety of fitness classes which are free to its members -- I ask you to find another gym that will offer that service. The Y also has a fitness floor with modern equipment and helpful staff in order to help members achieve their fitness goals. In fact, one of the things I love most about the Y is that so many people of different ages and backgrounds come together on the fitness floor.

While exercising last week, I took note that there were 35 of us on the floor together, and that there were no members using the racquetball courts. On another day, there were 42 of us on the fitness floor and meanwhile, a parent was supervising his two children playing in one the courts because it was not being used for racquetball I acknowledge there were other times that the courts were being utilized, but this shows the inconsistency of their usage.

There is always a consistent crowd on the fitness floor though, and this crowd is represented by different genders, different ethnicities, and is multi-generational. I would love for even more people in our community to be able to join the Y and take part in exercising on our fitness floor together, but understand this will not be possible until that space is expanded. So, while others claim ageism and discrimination by removing the courts, I would like to make the claim that we will expand our membership base and its diversity even more so by offering the larger fitness floor.

On a final note, those members upset about the courts often do not mention that the Y offered to provide them reciprocity with the Durham Y courts. However, this attempt for compromise has been denied by the group advocating for the courts. Before our community makes a snap judgment on the Y's character, they should understand all of the facts and details. If you have never experienced the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Y, I challenge you to come in and see and feel the inclusive, heartening environment that is provided by this establishment.

Katherine Phelps

Chapel Hill

Hard to believe

This letter is in response to a column “Illogical war on deer” by Karin Yates, (CHN, Feb. 10). It is the very best article that I have ever read about the insanity and cruelty of bow-hunting.

It is hard to believe that in the Triangle area, supposedly filled with intelligent and informed individuals, we would not only allow, but, in fact, support such an inhumane activity, one that traditionally leaves the injured victim to die a slow and painful death until it finally succumbs to sepsis. It is ironic that many of the same people who condone bow-hunting are the same ones who believe in euthanizing their beloved dog or cat when it no longer has a comfortable quality of life.

Ms. Yates offers an array of alternatives to the deer overpopulation, including immunocontraceptives (which many of us had not known were available), and she suggests that Duke Forest would be an ideal spot for deer contraception research, rather than continuing its present employment of bow hunters, and closing the area for those of us who love to walk its trails. Other highly effective methods of handling deer overpopulation include reducing speed limits, fencing, deer repellent sprays, noise/sound/whistle devices for automobiles, and sprinkler or sound systems for gardens.

And I was amazed to learn that deer actually provide a buffer for the spread of Lyme disease by the ticks that are hosted by the white-footed mouse!

The white man seems to always feel that he deserves to move in as king of his territory, eradicating the creatures that were here long before we encroached on their space. In the past, the victims of abuse were the Indians. Today, it is the deer.

Carla Shuford

Chapel Hill

Police academy

The Town of Chapel Hill Community Policing Advisory Committee has been working with the Chapel Hill Police Department to enhance its annual Citizens Police Academy. The academy is intended to educate residents about local police operations and procedures.

It's open to all interested citizens who want to know more about the operation of their police department This year's program promises to be the most exciting yet - your participation will make it even better.

Though space is limited, all are invited to apply for selection to this year's program. Attendees will learn about police response to emergency calls, arrest procedures, use of force, mental health issues, investigations, and much more.

They will also observe SERT Team and K9 demonstrations, along with police equipment demonstrations. There will also be the opportunity for simulator operation.

Participants will attend one evening session on April 24 or 25, as well as an afternoon community conversation session on Sunday, April 28.

This citizens academy will help you learn more about the high level of police professionalism here, making Chapel Hill a safer place.

Application deadline is Monday, March 25. You can obtain your application by visiting the following site: townofchapelhill.org/index.aspx?page=43

We invite your application and hope to see you as an active part of this important community event.

Ron Bogle

Chair

Community Policing Advisory Committee