Letter -YMCA did pay its half

Dear Editor,

The July 12 edition of the Hudson Star-Observer printed an opinion by Steve Hermsen implying that Hudson School Board President Tom Holland had a conflicting interest in the funding of the underpass linking River Crest Elementary School with YMCA Camp St. Croix.

In his comment the writer challenges Mr. Holland’s credibility and principles and stated that Tom Holland was an “officer” of the YMCA and influential in negotiating the details to the benefit of the YMCA. He also asserts no records are available showing payment by the YMCA to the school district for this project.

The community should be aware that Tom Holland was a highly respected Senior Staff member of the YMCA of Greater Saint Paul for over 20 years but did not hold an ”officer” title in the organization. Officers of the YMCA serve as volunteers in the organization and are responsible for any decision to invest YMCA resources. The officers employ a president and CEO for the organization and hold this person responsible for carrying out the actions that are approved by the board.

Mr. Tom Kranz serves as vice president of YMCA Camping and executive director for YMCA Camp St. Croix. Tom Kranz worked directly with the school district and me to negotiate the details of this agreement. Please allow me to inform the writer, and more importantly the community of “the facts” of this project rather than the “opinion” of the writer.

The project cost for the underpass between the YMCA Camp St. Croix and River Crest Elementary School was $210,865. The YMCA and the district developed an agreement to split the cost of the underpass as a safe and efficient method of allowing safe passage between the campuses.

The facts: Cost of project: $210,865. YMCA portion paid in full on 3/12/2009 - $105,433

I will be happy to provide supporting documentation on written request.

This project and the partnership between the YMCA and the Hudson School District is something that the community should be proud of. The benefits that accrue to the students and families in the Hudson School District are a model in efficiency, limiting replication and an effective use of community resources.

It would be a great service to the community if editorial writer’s facts were checked prior to publication. It is an injustice to the community to publish inaccurate and distorted information to confuse the good citizens of Hudson to achieve whatever goals the writer might pursue.

Thomas R. Brinsko

President/CEO

YMCA of Greater St Paul

Town of Hudson resident

Tags: opinion, letters, education