Why is Selectboard pitting old vs. young in Moultonborough?

To The Daily Sun,

I have been reading so many letters about the pros and cons for the community center/gym in Moultonborough that I now believe it is pitting white haired senior folks against young people with families. It is almost as bad as Republicans vs. Democrats. I feel so bad it makes me want to cry.

I want you to know that I have nothing against young families. I have 16 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. (only two of my grandchildren are married so I expect many more and I love and look forward to that)

I have been part of this community for over 40 years and decided to retire here in 1994 because of the peace and quiet of the winter and the hustle bustle of the summer. Low taxes were also a big incentive to retire in Moultonborough. I love the fact that Moultonborough is a retirement community that explodes in the summer. I love to see the people come but am so very thankful when they leave in the fall.

I am 100 percent for a new community center but totally against a gym. I firmly believe that a gym is unnecessary as I watch the enrollment in the schools go down and down and down. I also believe the town should not be responsible for providing entertainment for adults.

I am getting so upset with our selectmen for not listening to the senior voters. What is it about the word NO don’t they understand? And I am also hearing that the selectmen and young people with families are thinking that the seniors are not willing to support them and that is what just drove me over the edge. So now I just want to put my two cents worth in!

Years ago we seniors voted to put an addition on the Central School, to build the Academy, to build the auditorium, to build the track… I could go on and on but I think I got my point across that the seniors fully support the school system when they think it is necessary.

I now read in the paper that it is really important to spend all this money for the community center/gym to bring the seniors and young people together.

Duh! I have been a Moultonborough Lion for 20+ years and have seen all they do for the young people… $10,000 each year in scholarships, assistance with school trips, pizza parties after championship games, One Book One Community, vision screening to all for free, giving books to all the Central School students, sponsor Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, 4th of July party etc… As a Lion I have voted thousands and thousands of dollars to support the school system and the community over the years.

Giving back to the Lions… I have seen Scouts come out to help the Lions every year on White Cane Day, I have seen the students help the Lions with clean up at Sutherland Park. Lions and students working together. Doesn’t get much better than that!

I have been a member of the Women’s Club for 20+ years and have seen all the hard work they do to raise money for scholarships (over $200,000 since inception), I have seen them give financial aid to students for different things over the years etc...

We seniors also voted to build our beautiful Library. Think about that. The Friends of the Library support the school system with books donated each year among many other things.

With all the support the seniors have given to the young families over the years is it too much to ask for you to give us a little back? Trust me when I say that if I believed there was a need for a gym I would be there for you.

I wonder what would happen if all senior support went away? Just saying.

I challenge all the young families in Moultonborough to give up the demand for a gym and put your support with those who have supported you unconditionally over the years. Let’s forget the gym and work on a Community Center together. Let’s build it on the old Lions property and once completed tear down the old building. That way would cause less interruption on Meals on Wheels.

I love the fact that some of my grandchildren have spent the summer with us working while going through college but fully understand why they prefer the big cities after graduation. But I also know that they will always return. There has been Keegan’s in every 4th of July Center Harbor Road Race since 1987. I hope this tradition continues forever!

I for one plan to vote NO for the $7 million Community Center/Gym. I also plan to vote for Chuck McGee, who I believe will represent all the people and not make statements like “the wrong people came out to vote”. I humbly ask for your support.

Patricia Keegan

Moultonborough