I am writing this letter in the hope of obtaining help in the effort to save our community pool.

The Watsontown pool has been closed this season for lack of financial means to support its daily operating expenses. Last year we were notified that we, the members of the community, have one year to come up with two-thirds of $700,000 needed to repair our pool. A grant is available for the remaining third, however we need to show proof of having the rest.

After attending the borough meetings it has been made clear that the officials of the borough do not want to put any effort into obtaining the remaining funds. In a recent meeting the mayor spoke proudly of how he has made over 200 phone calls to receive the $250,000 grant to build the Eighth Street park -- which at the present time is a tennis court and playground.

Why wasn't that same amount of effort put into the park we have now? We have the swimming pool, baseball field, basketball courts etc. All of which could be made into something we could be proud of. We could even add the skate park there. But it seems that the mayor and the council would rather put the money into the Eighth Street park. Our neighboring communities have all taken their grant money to beautify existing parks.

At our initial meeting regarding the pool, the president made the comment that we, the community, have one year before they bring in the bulldozers. We need help to save this pool, and our borough council members need to remember why they are there -- to help our community and to find the ways and means to make Watontown something to be proud of. If they are confused about their responsibilities -- maybe we need to get new members.

One last note, I would like to thank Milton for allowing our swim team to combine with theirs in order for our kids to compete this year. It is a beautiful complex, by the way.

Ron Urbanski,

Watsontown