I am writing in response to my old swim coach being fired and after attending the board meeting at the senior center. I was very disappointed by how it was run, and how much disrespect there was from the board, because they were missing quite a few members.

I have been out of North Whidbey Aquatic Club for about three years now, Neil Romney was my only coach and I couldn’t have asked for a better one. He taught me things not only to use in the pool and at swim meets, but life lessons. I still use some of them to this day. Any kid working with Neil has been very lucky.

I am not sure I know all the details for why he was fired, mostly because I heard the board isn’t willing to release that information to the public.

Swim team families are desperately asking for answers and should know if it is going to affect their lives.

It makes me wonder if the board and Bill Walker ever thought of the way this will effect the swim team as a whole.

What if some of the swimmers wanted to make a career out of swimming? They might have just ruined it for them. I understand some of the lessons Neil taught was not to hold onto something if it is already gone. He would want what’s best for his swimmers if he can’t be there anymore. A strong swimmer can move on and not affect them. But Neil was an awesome coach and it will be hard for his swimmers to move on.

Shawna Boyes
Coupeville