Let's solve VFW problem together

My wife and I are fortunate, our two sons returned from three combat deployments. Our freedoms come with a price and we cannot expect other parents to send their sons (now also daughters) to protect our way of life and not expect us to send ours. We must remember the cost and those who paid.

It greatly saddens me as to the plight of our local VFW. The majority of the council, township attorney and mayor have forgotten or maybe never experienced what our military and their families suffer in time of war. Our municipal government has reduced the VFW to EDUs and a connection fee instead of revering the VFW for what it does and what it stands for. Veterans have paid the price that others do not.

The same officials who refuse to allow the public to vote on the VFW petition saw fit to pass Resolution 12-155 that essentially provides Mountain Creek Resorts, Inc with a five-year interest free loan. MCRI was to be responsible for 63 percent of any yearly budget deficit incurred by the VTMUA beginning on Jan. 1, 2012. But payment is now delayed until Jan. 1, 2017. Hundreds of thousands of dollars will be due.

MCRI is to be commended for their gift of $5000.00 to the VFW but I challenge our government, MCRI and community to the following. A five-year plan be instituted for the VFW’s connection and usage fees. MCRI will sponsor a beefsteak each year for the next five years. Volunteers under the guidance of MCRI will provide their services to work the events. Our community will show support by purchasing tickets to attend. The net proceeds will pay the fees owed to the VTMUA.

It’s a community problem, let’s solve it together.

Harry Shortway
Vernon