Commentary: Boulder Creek Rec criticism unfounded

I have been encouraged to run for one of the soon-to-be-open seats on the Boulder Creek Recreation and Parks District board, but after reading the letter from Denese and Skip Matthes (“Boulder Creek Rec must get serious,” July 30), I’m seriously reconsidering whether that would be a smart move on my part — or anyone’s, really.
In recent years, the BCRPD board has proven itself to be a community advocate. The board began the free egg hunt at Redwood Elementary, added more kid-friendly classes to BC Rec’s summer roster, began renovation at Garrahan Park, and is in the process of trying to secure an improved recreation facility site.
And yet, the Matthes’ latest method of clobbering the board members is to accuse them of not being vigilant in protecting citizens from random acts of violence, robbery and masturbation at Junction Park.
Since when did volunteer board members become volunteer sheriff’s officers? Since when was it the responsibility of board members to police the district, receive criminal reports and place themselves in harm’s way?
It would be foolish for any BCRPD member to take any action against a community member that could result in a potential discrimination lawsuit against the district. Was 9-1-1 called when these incidents occurred? Were there police reports filed for any of these crimes, or did the Matthes feel that submitting a scathing letter to the Press-Banner would suffice?
Like Ms. Matthes, I am totally in favor of having a teen program established, but I don’t for one second think that will keep individuals who are “inebriated on something” from “screaming threats and obscenities while masturbating.” For one, there was no indication that the perpetrator was a teenager. Second, that sounds like a personal problem, and not one that the BCRPD has jurisdiction over.
There will always be a troubled element within our youth, and there are those who will choose the wrong path, regardless of the options that are presented by our recreation district. While it may take a village, there is only so much sway that a teen center will hold in the eyes of a teenager who prefers pot over ping-pong and has no parental direction to make better life choices. Areas known to be hotbeds of illegal activity need to have increased sheriff presence, not an increased rec board member presence.
The Matthes have dedicated themselves to the derailment of the district’s efforts, and I am stymied by the amount of time they have on their hands when it comes to belittling and berating the BCRPD. It is no wonder there will be several vacant BCRPD seats up for the taking come November.
The concept of volunteering for our community and continuously being faced down by Team Matthes at every turn is exhausting in thought and must be more so in actuality. I commend those of you who have stood strong in the face of resistance, nastiness and condescension. Please know that there are many community members, like myself, who appreciate all that the BCRPD board does and all you will strive to do in the years to come.
Christina Wise is president of San Lorenzo Valley Little League and has been a Boulder Creek resident since 1996.