White Co. Comm. provies more info on parks, recreation changes

CLEVELAND - The White County Commission addressed the recent change of operation at the White County Parks and Recreation Department during a meeting Monday.

Commissioners revealed that they have been watching the operation at the department for some time. Commissioner Joe Campbell said they decided it was time to do something.

Following the recent resignation of Director Lou Boestfleisch, the commission entered a three-month agreement with Georgia Mountains YMCA to manage and assess the operation with the parks and recreation department. Boestfleish said he was asked to resign.

Monday night, Mike Brown, President and CEO of Georgia Mountains YMCA in Gainesville, talked with concerned citizens who attended the meeting.  Brown said, even though he was not given a pleasant welcome when he arrived last week, people are learning that things are getting better. Brown told the group that, “the YMCA will not raise prices, cancel programs or eliminate the much needed employees during our time with White County.”

He said the Y is to assess, assist, train and add value programming to further serve the community.

Campbell also said the commission only wants to improve the operation and services offered to its constituents.

(AccessNorthGa.com's Ken Stanford contributed to this story.)