Fee to use new equipment contradicts YMCA’s mission

I love my Hurley YMCA. I feel good about paying my monthly dues because I know they stand for something good. When you walk through the door, you have options to play racquetball, basketball, run, work out, swim or rock climb. My kids like to go, and I like seeing other people with their families at the Y. When we are all in there, we are all the same.

The YMCA website puts it perfectly:

“Every day, we work side-by-side with our neighbors to make sure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.”

But do they? The Hurley YMCA is starting a practice that may erode their core values. They installed a functional fitness room full of great equipment. But if you want to use it, you have to pay $20 extra. Doesn’t that make who can use that shiny new room depend on income?

There shouldn’t be any VIP areas in a place whose mission is to eliminate financial barriers staring young people in the face in so many areas of life. That room could be a fantastic training tool for obstacle courses, sports and all kinds of things. What if it were the pool or the basketball court? Imagine a young person standing at the edge of the pool unable to swim with the other kids or being benched because of money.

I can afford the extra $20 per month. But there is absolutely no way I am going to pay use an area inaccessible to other people at the Y. If I got a notice that my monthly fee was going up to cover the costs  so everyone could benefit, I would not have blinked.

Don’t screw it up, Hurley Y — or you’re going to see a mass Yexit.

— Sara Bartlett

Salisbury

Into the wild blue yonder

So who’s paying for Air Force One for Hillary and Obama to fly around the country campaigning? Taxpayers’ money?

Is Trump going to have the same opportunity to rip taxpayers off?

Of course, taxpayers have been getting ripped off for almost eight years. If you don’t believe it, ask someone who works, pays their taxes and tries to afford health insurance for their families.

— Charlie Moffitt

Kannapolis

Fiction from the FBI?

If any American accepts (FBI Director) Jim Comie’s comments — and doesn’t see that there is one set of laws for the Clintons and government hacks and  another for you and me — I have a bridge I’d like to sell you.

Self-respecting Americans should revolt.

— Frank Walker

Salisbury