Pool dialogue

To the editor,

I felt the need to respond to the letter that City Manager Bill Shaw wrote last week just to clear up a few statements and add some things that need to be said.

First, the initial letter was not from Plum Tree or any of its staff. It was written and signed by the parents of the children involved. Plum Tree did not go to the pool with any preconceived notions that they would have a problem. They would not have taken the kids if that were the case. They only went to enjoy the pool on a hot afternoon.

Also, the meeting was attended by Mr. Shaw, the mayor, the pool manager, a pool staff member and, as stated by Mr. Shaw, the Plum Tree owner and staff. Wrong. I am not, and have never been an employee of that facility. I am the parent of one of the children and represent the parents and children involved. But no one asked. I think they assumed. Just like the day the kids wanted to swim.

We did come to an agreement on an acceptable ratio of 5:1 for non-swimmers. But that ratio was for all people entering the pool, not just day cares and large groups.

It was also discovered at the meeting that the day the kids wanted to swim they had a 4:1 non-swimmer ratio. Five of the 13 children could have passed the swim test if anyone at the pool had offered to give it to them. Or asked if anyone could swim. They did not.

Mr. Shaw and the pool manager both stated they did not properly evaluate or handle the situation they were presented with that day. I feel an apology is needed, but I think the pool owes it to the children that were treated unfairly that day. No one else. They are the ones who didn't get to enjoy the afternoon at their community pool.

Also, last summer the pool manager approached the Plum Tree staff and said he was not comfortable with their ratio. He did not know what the rules were for sure in regards to ratios and had nothing in writing to go by. He said he would get it cleared up and give them something in writing. That did not happen until this meeting.

Mr. Shaw and the pool manager said many times that Plum Tree was welcome at the pool and they would be happy to see them anytime to enjoy the pool. I would like to thank them for the invitation. So far, the kids haven't made it back.

Kris Knudsen, Plum Tree parents and kids

Columbia Falls