Letter to the Editor: Rec Center Blues

British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher said, “If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.” – Speech to National Union of Townswomen’s Guilds Conference on May 20, 1965

Hats off to Cindy Conroy, Susan Hastings, and Heidi North who defeated, along with 649 others, the proposed Newport Community Center. They worked hard, got out the vote and prevailed. Would we could harness their energy for every election.

1298 people voted, 60 of them registering for the first time. I am compelled to ask where were the other 2101 voters who chose not to/could not/ or otherwise didn’t vote? We now relegate our youth, our teens, our middle-aged volleyball players and our senior citizens to a crumbling, non-ADA compliant, moldy, leaking facility with one toilet for the many people who participate in programs offered by the Rec Department.

Democracy works when people participate. We need only look to Croydon and now the efforts of these folks. This was a non-partisan issue but an important one. I surmise that people voted their pocketbooks and voted for food, fuel and not fitness. Now we look forward to September and the midyear election in November when it is partisan. For women, a lot is at stake regarding their reproductive and health care rights. We need everyone to vote in these elections and we need strong women to lead the way and get out the vote. I hope these three women will once again rise up and make the primary and the mid-year elections a huge turnout.

Biddy Irwin

Newport