Dear Editor: The WSC and the Rec Board's Vote to Terminate its Lease

Dear Editor,

The Whitehall Saddle Club (WSC) was founded in the early 1920s with the express purpose to promote equestrian activities in the Jefferson Valley. For several decades the WSC has been located at the Recreational Complex. There, the WSC has hosted countless events over the past few years, including Barrel Racing, O-Mok-Sees, Horse Shows, Rodeos, and countless other equestrian events. The WSC’s presence at the Complex was made possible through a lease agreement with the Town. The Town owns the land, but the physical structures of the Clubhouse and the Arena belong to the WSC. The WSC, until recently has also performed and was responsible for maintenance on the grounds.

The Arena was made possible due to the generous donations of the community members and memorial funds over the past years. These donations could have been made to the Town but were made to the WSC. The reasoning behind this was that the WSC exists for the purpose of equestrian activities and could better protect and maintain the facilities. The Town, however, changes with every administration, and the fear was that a new administration would not support or dedicate its time to the Arena.

Since January the Town Council has made it abundantly clear that it no longer wants to maintain the relationship with the WSC. The Council acted, of its own volition, to change the managing board of the recreational spaces of Whitehall, the Recreational Board. Initially, the Council did not include the WSC, a long-term member of the board and leasee of one of the spaces. It was a hard fight, but the community showed its support for the WSC, and the Council reluctantly relented and readmitted the WSC as a member of the board.

At the Rec Board meeting Monday night (3/28), the Board took a vote to early terminate the lease agreement. That vote means nothing without the Town Council’s approval. The lease agreement is between the Town and the WSC, the Board has no authority to cancel the lease or speak on the lease. However, the vote reiterated the belief certain figures want to end the WSC. The Board, designed to maintain and promote recreational activities wants to dismiss the WSC and the events we have hosted over the years as irrelevant.

Editor’s note: The Rec Board consists of the following individuals: Bridget Morse (WSC rep), Maria Walker (Whitehall Baseball Rep), Logan Reiff (in-town rep), Gina Ossello (in-town rep), Bill Gillespie (outside-town rep), Curtiss LaFountaine (outside-town rep), Kelley Seccomb (Pool rep), Tim O’Donnell (Rodeo rep), Hannah Nieskens (School rep), and Roy McBride (non-voting Town Council member).

It is the WSC’s belief that the Council will shortly vote to terminate the lease with WSC. The WSC’s stance from the beginning has been to fulfill the lease through its expiration in June 2024 and renew the lease with Town so WSC can continue its mission of providing equestrian activities.

Terminating the lease will complicate matters. Under the lease agreement, WSC must remove all of its property, this includes the majority of the Arena. If WSC does not remove it, the Town can take legal action. Several voices in town hall have expressed an opinion of removing the Arena, calling it an eyesore. Could the Town build a new complex? Maybe, but that will take time, and a new Council might not support rebuilding.

The WSC plans to host the BY’s Rodeo as planned on May 6th. Please come and support these kids, as they do not deserve the punishment they are receiving, because of a few loud voices wishing to make their mark on Whitehall by ending equestrian activities. At the moment other future events are on pause until we know if we can continue at the complex. Please reach out to the WSC member if you have any questions on this issue. If you want your voice to be heard on this matter, please attend the Town Council meeting on Monday, April 17th at 7 PM or reach out to the councilperson in your ward.

Respectfully,

Whitehall Saddle Club