WCM really needs your help

I have mailed the attached letter to the Mayor and fellow Council Members. It is copied below if you would prefer to read here rather than download. May 5, 2010 Mayor Susan Rainey City Hall 1666 No. Main Street Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members, More than 30-years ago, the City of Walnut Creek pioneered a partnership with Walnut Creek Masters that today is being modeled across the country in states such as Indiana, Florida, Iowa, New York, Michigan and neighboring communities in California. Your partnership included employing Kerry O’Brien as a Masters swimming coach (Kerry as you’ve discovered has done so much more that just coach the past 30-years for the City of Walnut Creek). Your partnership signaled a commitment to the citizens of Walnut Creek to offer an adult swimming lifestyle program that would be accessible and make a difference in the quality of their lives. In return, Walnut Creek Masters has become a storied and legacy program in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to numerous national team accolades and worldwide notoriety, in 2008 we named our highest coaching award in honor of Kerry O’Brien. Reviewing purely the Cities financial pro forma for Walnut Creek Masters, it appears the program is at worst break even. By eliminating the Masters coaching position, you in essence are choosing to end the partnership with Walnut Creek Masters. The Walnut Creek Masters board will have no choice but to review all their options including what facilities to offer their programs. Please do recognize that Walnut Creek Masters is comprised of more than 400 members as well as hosts several adult swim meets. I would suggest that you risk a lot more than you think you might gain. Later this month, the White House and Mrs. Obama will unveil the National Physical Activity Plan. The Plan has a vision: One day, all Americans will be physically active and they will live, work, and play in environments that facilitate regular physical activity. The Plan is a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives that aim to increase physical activity in all segments of the American population. The Plan is the product of a private-public sector collaborative. Hundreds of organizations including U.S. Masters Swimming and Walnut Creek Masters by extension are working together to change our communities in ways that will enable every American to be sufficiently physically active. The Plan aims to create a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life. I can think of no better testimony to the Plan than continuing the partnership between the City of Walnut Creek and Walnut Creek Masters. Respectfully submitted, Rob Butcher Executive Director U.S. Masters Swimming

I have mailed the attached letter to the Mayor and fellow Council Members. It is copied below if you would prefer to read here rather than download. May 5, 2010 Mayor Susan Rainey City Hall 1666 No. Main Street Walnut Creek, CA 94596 Dear Madame Mayor and Council Members, More than 30-years ago, the City of Walnut Creek pioneered a partnership with Walnut Creek Masters that today is being modeled across the country in states such as Indiana, Florida, Iowa, New York, Michigan and neighboring communities in California. Your partnership included employing Kerry O’Brien as a Masters swimming coach (Kerry as you’ve discovered has done so much more that just coach the past 30-years for the City of Walnut Creek). Your partnership signaled a commitment to the citizens of Walnut Creek to offer an adult swimming lifestyle program that would be accessible and make a difference in the quality of their lives. In return, Walnut Creek Masters has become a storied and legacy program in the U.S. and internationally. In addition to numerous national team accolades and worldwide notoriety, in 2008 we named our highest coaching award in honor of Kerry O’Brien. Reviewing purely the Cities financial pro forma for Walnut Creek Masters, it appears the program is at worst break even. By eliminating the Masters coaching position, you in essence are choosing to end the partnership with Walnut Creek Masters. The Walnut Creek Masters board will have no choice but to review all their options including what facilities to offer their programs. Please do recognize that Walnut Creek Masters is comprised of more than 400 members as well as hosts several adult swim meets. I would suggest that you risk a lot more than you think you might gain. Later this month, the White House and Mrs. Obama will unveil the National Physical Activity Plan. The Plan has a vision: One day, all Americans will be physically active and they will live, work, and play in environments that facilitate regular physical activity. The Plan is a comprehensive set of policies, programs, and initiatives that aim to increase physical activity in all segments of the American population. The Plan is the product of a private-public sector collaborative. Hundreds of organizations including U.S. Masters Swimming and Walnut Creek Masters by extension are working together to change our communities in ways that will enable every American to be sufficiently physically active. The Plan aims to create a national culture that supports physically active lifestyles. Its ultimate purpose is to improve health, prevent disease and disability, and enhance quality of life. I can think of no better testimony to the Plan than continuing the partnership between the City of Walnut Creek and Walnut Creek Masters. Respectfully submitted, Rob Butcher Executive Director U.S. Masters Swimming