Direction of the club to be discussed

OTHELLO — The Othello Boys & Girls Club is falling behind in funding and membership.

"We are behind in funds, will be putting together a game plan to take care of it and will be meeting within the next month to discuss the direction of the club with the board," said Brant Mayo, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Columbia Basin.

There was not a lot of funding found for the Othello club, said Eleanor Brodahl, Othello City council member and Boys & Girls Club Advisory Board member.

"We know there's a problem with the Boys & Girls Club here. At one time they had a large membership," Brodahl said. "I'm really concerned with the Boys & Girls Club."

There are approximately 35 members at the Othello Club, Mayo said.

At the Nov. 6 Othello budget workshop meeting, Brodahl suggested the council give more to the club.

The city gives the Othello Club $30,000 annually. She suggested an additional $30,000 be donated to the club.

"If we don't, I would think it would be closed," Brodahl said.

Council Member Marc Spohr said he would not approve the 2007 budget if the additional funding was given to the club. The club should be self-sustaining at some point and needs to raise funds for itself, he said.