Although I believe the overall Rumford budget should be approved at a much lower level, I hope voters will enthusiastically approve the funding for the Greater Rumford Community Center on June 12. The remedial funding from the taxpayers is an important part of the commitment to our local youths.

The GRCC business plan consists of providing important services in return for fees and supplementary funding from the towns to sustain the operations in the historic building on Congress Street.

I hope residents will take the time to discuss the GRCC activities with participants and with the facility management team.

For the future, I strongly recommend the development of a River Valley plan to introduce a modern, full-service community recreation facility funded by grants and donations.

However, until then, we must ensure that we support the GRCC for the coming years until the local towns can come together with a vision and a plan for a replacement facility.

Len Greaney, Rumford Center