Dear Editor,

As a long time member of our community, I want to encourage our Board of Trustees to send the use of the Old Town Shop site to a vote. TEENS, Inc.’s childcare center project on the Old Town Shop site in Nederland presents a unique opportunity to invest in the future of our youth through a public-private partnership and strengthen our community in meaningful ways.

Operating a children’s center is not a financially advantageous enterprise. If it was, private operators would already have jumped in to fill the glaring need in our mountain communities. TEENS, Inc. is proposing to partner with the town to provide affordable child care to the community, as a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the community.

This vital community resource is needed to support young families who help our community as teachers, public servants, business owners, and taxpayers. TEENS, Inc. has done extensive research on the best location for a new children’s center. The location at the Old Town Shop site is the most efficient path to expanding access to childcare for mountain families.

I have had several friends, with families, move out of the Nederland area due to the lack of childcare. Even though I don’t have children that will benefit from TEENS, Inc. programming, I believe a healthy and strong community needs to provide resources for children and families. For this reason, I serve on the TEENS, Inc. Board of Directors. Childcare is a critical need in Nederland and TEENS, Inc. is prepared to address it.

Please join me in urging our local leaders to send the issue to voters so we can decide what our community needs and how to use our public resources.

Sincerely,

Leyla Bly

Nederland