patching...
Update: Click here to follow us on Facebook for immediate news updates and great stories! »
Welcome back, Patch Blogger!

Ymca Merger Vote

Friday, November 16, 2012

Freedom Valley/Philly YMCA Merger Passes

A Thursday evening vote approved the joining of the two YMCA regions.

According to a source present at Thursday evening's vote, the proposed merger between the Freedom Valley YMCA and the Philadelphia YMCA passed by a margin of 56 votes.  The merger was announced several weeks ago, and members have argued both for and against the merger ever since.  Several members expressed concerns about the speed of the merger and about overcrowding. Members were also unhappy with the voting process, which required everyone who wanted to vote be present at a meeting on Thursday night. Others praised the merger, saying that it could only benefit the organization. YMCA leadership also said it would save money by reducing insurance and supply costs. The leadership of the two YMCAs held a town hall on Monday evening, November…

Comment_arrow

1

9:28 am on Wednesday, November 21, 2012

I'm sure nobody will miss one less fatty blocking two lanes on the indoor track.   more ›

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Freedom Valley Y Leaders Say Merger Opponents are Race-Baiting

An e-mail from the Freedom Valley YMCA's management criticizes a flyer sent to members yesterday.

Freedom Valley YMCA members received an e-mail from the organization late Wednesday afternoon, November 14, regarding a flyer that was reportedly left at the Phoenixville YMCA's information desk listing seven reasons to vote against the merger with the Philadelphia YMCA.  "Not one of the issues addressed in the flyer was factually accurate," the e-mail reads. YMCA leaders have repeatedly asserted that there is a "lot of misinformation" being disseminated regarding the merger. [Editor's note: A copy of the e-mail from the YMCA can be read in the PDF section of this article.] The e-mail goes on, however, to sharply criticize the language in the flyer.  The e-mail reads, "An example of the type of vitriol that is now being strewn follows – …

Paula Goff

11:36 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012

There are certainly many valid reasons for concern about the merger. Freedom Valley's leaders and other supporters are not saying all of the opposition is based on racial fears, just the creepy brochure and its coded language. The brochure and its mentality brings to mind the 2009 incident in which the Valley Club in Huntington Valley revoked its agreement with a North Philadelphia day camp for …   more ›

Got a Hot Tip?