Club in danger of closing again

By ANGELICA CHAVEZ
Special to the NEWS

Boys & Girls Club

The Boys & Girls Club of San Benito has once again found itself in a financial roadblock.

On Tuesday, Aug. 19, Club Board President Tommy Ramirez pleaded with San Benito City Commissioners for financial assistance. Last year, the City earmarked $45,000 to the organization with the intent of preventing the Club from closing.

Club officials previously stated that – although briefly – the organization’s financial health had improved. However, Ramirez informed that continued instances of decreased funding from various sources have once again left the Club susceptible to possible closure – this for the second consecutive year.

Funds that Ramirez said are necessary to help the Club fund multiple repairs, staffing, utilities and maintenance are not covered by the various donations, grants and other forms of assistance because such monetary sources are often conditional toward specific programs.

Considering as much, Ramirez thanked the Commissioners for the $12,000 awarded to the Club via Community Development Block Grant funds. Still, the Club, according to Ramirez, is in need of additional monies to continue its operations.

Specifically, Ramirez has asked for an annual commitment of $25,000 from City officials in efforts to keep the Club open.

“Our air conditioners are as old as molasses and, honestly, this old building could use a good facelift,” Ramirez commented about the Club’s edifice. “We lack volunteers, we’re understaffed and in need of a core nucleus…. No other facility offers a safe haven to the local youth and that is worth the financial commitment.”

Though elected officials have previously expressed their support of the Club, City officials stressed regular monetary assistance simply cannot be provided.

Mayor Celeste Z. Sanchez acknowledges the Club’s current situation, noting, “I wish I could help more, but I can help a little bit.” She goes on to say, “I challenge the community to step up and help, even a dollar can make a difference, and I believe that together we can help.” In other words, regardless as to the Commissioners’ official decision, it really boils down to the support of the community at large.”

 

Permanent link to this article: https://www.sbnewspaper.com/2014/08/22/club-in-danger-of-closing-again/

18 comments

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    • Uncle Sugar on September 3, 2014 at 9:26 am
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    Well it looks like the City administrators came to their senses last evening and stopped doling out City monies to the B/G Club. The Club is a private nonprofit agency and not an arm of the City. The burden of keeping the club open is not the responsibility of City taxpayers. The Club’s board of directors better get some pantalones real quick.

    • Searaven on August 28, 2014 at 3:00 am
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    When the crime rate of 25 and under increased no one new why. No swimming poll, no active programs for the kids in summer, an inadequate library, vacant sports complex and no funds. Remember Super Arnold was given a job there at twice of what his predecessor was making. He quit to be given a better job. This a result of the domino effect of an over paid under qualified politician that needed a job. On programs for youth equals increase in crime.

      • And that is the truth ... on August 28, 2014 at 1:26 pm
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      Super Arnold got his power from his friend he had at City, Victor Trevino and their ‘coffee in the morning’ gang. They groomed him for exactly where he is now.

    • Juan on August 27, 2014 at 8:38 pm
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    So,just who is stealing all this money?

    • ricky the rabbit on August 25, 2014 at 10:47 am
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    money thats being used to build the arts center should be used for the kids instead…..they already have a building…we need to keep the kids off the streets during the summer and throughout the yr and let them go someplace safe to hang out with friends….CITY OF SAN BENITO…DONT SCREW THIS UP….WE ARE ALL WATCHING YOU AND YOU NEED OUT VOTES SO U CAN STAY IN OFFICE

      • Uncle Sugar on August 26, 2014 at 9:38 am
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      As I understand it, (from reading the newspaper), the ‘arts center’ is a grant (free) and cannot be used to ‘keep the kids off the street’. So while you are voting you might want to take that in consideration. It is also NOT the responsibility of the City to baby sit.

        • Denny Crane, Jr. on August 27, 2014 at 10:30 pm
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        The grant you mention is a Federal Grant and they are NOT FREE

        These are monies doled out by the Federal Government and guess where this money comes from; the taxpayers like you and I.

        Private foundation grants are free. Federal Grants are NOT FREE and they do come with strings..

        To quote what you said “Everyone wants everything for FREE….”

          • Uncle Sugar on August 28, 2014 at 10:56 am
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          Agreed, Mr. Crane. The salient point here is that the ‘grants’ DO have strings and are specific to the designated project. The arts center grant could NOT be used to to ‘keep the kids off the street’.
          If the SB B/G Club wishes to have similar funding they would need to find an appropriate grant for their activities and go through the process like everyone else. Foundations grants come with strings as well.
          Speaking of doling out , what is the SB B/G Club is asking for?? … some of that ‘free’ City money!
          The ‘free’ point about the Federal Government ‘doling out monies’ could be argued forever.

    • Uncle Sugar on August 25, 2014 at 9:54 am
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    Over the past several years, the Boys and Girls Club has continued to receive 3 times what has been allocated for other projects such as the Baseball League, CIty Parks and other agencies that help the poor.
    Where does it end? Before Tommy Ramirez the program had more activities and more resources. What’s the deal? Every program they have costs money. Parents pay to have their kids in their programs.
    Just ask some of the former employees to get the real scoop. Something is wrong here.

      • Denny Crane, Jr. on August 25, 2014 at 1:55 pm
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      Mr. Uncle Sugar,

      Could you back up your statement “…the Boys and Girls club has continued to receive 3 times what has been allocated for other projects….” with some facts and figures.

      Otherwise, it just becomes “your opinion” just like the rest of us.

      I really want to know what the figures are if you got them.

      Have a Good Day!

        • Uncle Sugar on August 26, 2014 at 9:44 am
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        Look it up. All of it is pretty much public record. All of it is my ‘opinion’ anyway.
        NOT OPINION: The BG Club is a nonprofit organization. Their Board of Directors is in charge of keeping them afloat, NOT the City. Also the Club serves a small portion of the youth in the community. The parents that take their children to participate in the activities to the Club should bear some responsibility as well.It is not the responsibility of the City to provide this service on a daily basis. Everyone wants everything for FREE with no strings attached. Attack the Board of Directors, not the City!

    • DA TRUTH on August 24, 2014 at 9:50 pm
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    They are the future we shouldnt ask if they can help it’s when are they going to help.

    • Howard Johnson on August 24, 2014 at 5:50 pm
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    Lets have a PinBall tournament to raise money.

      • Uncle Sugar on August 27, 2014 at 12:44 pm
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      Sounds like fun! Please let the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors know! You might want to share this with them as well regarding their roles and responsibilities as members of the SB BG Club board …

      The board of directors of a nonprofit corporation is legally and financially responsible for the conduct of the organization. It is not a passive role but rather one that must be active for the good of the organization and for reducing liability of the individual directors. It is not just for-profit corporations that are under ever increasing scrutiny for ethical operations.

      The board governs the organization and has specific fiduciary responsibilities for which it must be accountable. These responsibilities are summarized in How to Provide Good Nonprofit Leadership, a brief article on board duties. Additional responsibilities vary but generally include oversight of policy, budgeting, planning, fundraising, human resources, program evaluation and board development.

      Source:
      http://www.nonprofit.pro/nonprofit_board_directors.htm

        • Denny Crane, Jr. on August 28, 2014 at 3:04 pm
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        NOT OPINION: The San Benito Economic Development Corporation (EDC) is a nonprofit organization.

        NOT OPINION: They are funded by Sales Taxes collected by the City of San Benito. Their Board of Directors are in charge of investing the funds with a return on investment for the taxpayers.

        NOT OPINION: So far they have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars with very minimal return for the taxpayers.

        However, as another commenter noted, they seem to be very generous in rewarding the EDC employees with unbelievable salary increases at taxpayer expense. “Everyone wants everything for FREE with no strings attached.”

        If you are going to hold the Board of Directors of the Boys and Girls Club accountable, you should also hold the EDC Board of Directors accountable. Everyone wants everything for FREE with no strings attached

        You appear to be rather choosy in who you criticize. You resent criticism about the EDC but at the same time you criticize the Boys and Girls club who both receive funding from the city. And you have the gall to call other commenter’s opinion “political shill”.

        Your “Look it up.” reply to a person’s request for facts to back up your claims is nothing more than a sign of an internet troll.

        It makes for good reading though!

        Break over and BTW (back to work).

          • Uncle Sugar on August 29, 2014 at 11:44 am
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          What does the EDC have to do with the B/G Club??
          Still sounds like you have some sort of axe to grind with the EDC, and just might be a disgruntled City employee.
          You might want to attend a few of the EDC meetings. The only problem they have the the obstacles placed in their way by the City!
          The EDC Board is a great group and are being very accountable and they are doing just fine, thanks…unlike the B/G Club!

            • Denny Crane, Jr. on August 29, 2014 at 1:05 pm
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            “What does the EDC have to do with the B/G Club??”

            I just informed you, They BOTH are FUNDED by the city with taxpayer money, source of contention for
            your criticism of the Board of Directors of the Club.

            You can’t criticize a board of directors from one non-profit and shun and shame, in your opinion, the criticism of another non-profit just because you work with or are related to support that particular non-profit.

            Trust me, I have no axe to grind nor am I a “former or current employee” or “related to an employee”.

            Have a good Labor Day Weekend.

    • Senor Taxpayer on August 23, 2014 at 11:30 pm
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    MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD

    <bTELL THE CITY COMMISSION to SUPPORT THE BOYS and GIRLS CLUB of SAN BENITO

    ***** CITY COMMISSION *****

    Honorable Mayor Celeste Z. Sanchez
    E-Mail: czsanchez@cityofsanbenito.com

    Commissioner Antonio Gonzales
    E-Mail: tgonzales@cityofsanbenito.com

    Commissioner Rene Villafranco
    E-Mail: rvillafranco@cityofsanbenito.com

    Commissioner James D. Penny
    E-Mail: jdpenney@cityofsanbenito.com

    Commissioner Joe D. Gonzalez
    E-Mail: jdgonzalez@cityofsanbenito.com

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