Editor,

For years the North Whidbey Park and Recreation board of directors consisted of either parents of the tax-supported youth swim team or members of the adult tax-supported masters swim team.

When openings develop on the board, they appoint someone from that group.

The swim teams are the only non–high school youth athletic team receiving large taxpayer subsidies. The youth swim team is the only youth sport activity with a taxpayer-paid, full-time employee coach.

This sport costs taxpayers about $70,000 per year.

I bet parents with children in other youth athletic activities who are paying all the costs and using volunteer coaches would like to have the same benefits the pool board gives to its friends and relatives.

Richard Fort

Oak Harbor