The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

January 22, 2010

UPDATE: Borough-run GALSA would lose UW funding

By Monica Pryts

GREENVILLE — If Greenville Area Leisure Services Association were to be taken over by the borough, it would be cut off from a major source of funding.

GALSA has been overseeing recreation for 62 years and is largely funded by the United Way of Mercer County, which helps only non-profit organizations, Executive Director Gary Micsky said Thursday.

Plans on how to restructure recreation in the Greenville area are still in the works, but as of right now, that doesn’t affect GALSA’s annual contribution from the United Way, he said.

“They’re part of our process,” Micsky said.

One idea being considered to revamp GALSA is to make it a municipal department. The United Way only funds non-profit organizations, Micsky said, and couldn’t fund GALSA if it is wholly absorbed by the borough.

The United Way is “keeping abreast” of the GALSA situation and this year’s process to distribute funds to its 30 member agencies will be the same as past years, he said.

Greenville borough council in October presented a proposal to change how recreation is run because GALSA has been struggling financially, and GALSA’s director Erik Bielata was laid off by borough officials to save money.

United Way officials and GALSA board members will meet Feb. 23. The GALSA board will formally present their request for funding to United Way volunteers, who will recommend a dollar amount to the board of directors, Micsky said.

Money is tight and the United Way’s allocations are based on how to best serve the community, he said. The current campaign ends March 31 and the United Way has collected $800,000 of its $1.25 million goal.

The GALSA board plans to ask for $35,000, the same amount received last year, GALSA President Becky McFadden said. United Way funding is a big part of GALSA’s budget, she said.

Besides the United Way, GALSA is funded by the borough of Greenville, fundraisers, program and activity fees and donations.

The GALSA board is very proactive and recently passed the general budget for 2010 of $108,000, Mrs. McFadden said. She noted the board wants to work with the borough in straightening out finances, and plan to meet soon with council’s GALSA ad hoc committee.

“We’re all very optimistic,” she said.

Brian Shipley, council president and head of the ad hoc committee, said recreation plans won’t fall to the wayside.

“I’m hopeful we’ll be able to present some ideas to council at the February meeting,” Shipley said.

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