The Woodmen Hills Metro District Board held a town hall meeting for residents and community members September 24 at Woodmen Hills Elementary School. The school gymnasium was filled to capacity to hear from community leaders and district board members.El Paso County Commissioner Amy Lathen addressed questions and concerns from the audience. “The county’s top priorities are infrastructure and public safety.”She said she is working with the county and state to pull together funding and materials to complete paving of Eastonville Road north or Judge Orr Road – the route to the new Falcon High School. The project will not be completed before winter, and Lathen said in order to ensure safe driving conditions for students through the winter months, the road is designated as a high priority for county maintenance.El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa spoke about the challenges facing the sheriff’s department as the county commissioners discuss budget cuts for all county services. He said the sheriff’s department currently receives 45 percent of the county’s funding. The cuts, estimated at $4.4 million, would force him to cut patrols in half, leaving four to five officers per shift to cover the entire county.Maketa encouraged residents to actively participate in the Neighborhood Watch program. “Where there is an active Neighborhood Watch, there is less crime,” he said.John Courtney, Pikes Peak Library District representative, spoke following Maketa. He provided a community update on the High Prairie library branch, which will be located at the corner of Meridian Road and Highway 24.The branch will include 6,000 square feet with 14,000 books on site, 16 computers and lap tops, wi-fi throughout the building, a public meeting room and a fireplace reading area. “There have been planning meetings so the library reflects the needs of the community – including incorporating the old book mobile into the design.” Courtney said.He said PPLD anticipates breaking ground March 1, 2009 and completing the project by September 2009.Jennifer Barber, Woodmen Hills Metro District board president, conducted the remainder of the meeting. She said the tough economic times are affecting the metro district as the community infrastructure is aging, building is at a standstill, and revenues are down. Barber asked residents to help the board and be their eyes and ears in identifying infrastructure needs and redefining or reaffirming Woodmen Hills as a recreational lifestyle community.After a presentation of district financial information from board treasurer David Haehn, many residents questioned the current contract with YMCA who runs the community recreation center. Jan Pizzi, board secretary and Parks and Recreation Committee chair, said under the current contract the district pays the YMCA a $435,000 annual fee for services provided at Recreation Center East.Pizzi said the board is considering terminating the YMCA contract and bringing operation of RCE in-house for an estimated annual savings of $147,000 and added income from services of $46,000. Most comments from the audience supported canceling the contract to save money.Alicia Stier, a resident who said she uses the facility, asked if there would be a lapse in services as the district transitioned to a new management of the RCE. Pizzi said there would be glitches, but most residents wouldn’t notice a change in services. If the YMCA contract were canceled, the change over would occur within 120 days of termination.”We’re confident we can provide the same services for less money,” Pizzi said.Editor’s note: After the Sept. 24 meeting, the YMCA opted out of the contract with Woodmen Hills Metropolitan District. Read “YMCA terminates contract with Woodmen Hills” on page 10 for more information.
