To the editor:

As former leaders of Newburyport, we no doubt have been on opposing sides of city issues once or twice in the past. But there is one issue on which we stand firmly together: unwavering support of a May 13 yes vote for a debt exclusion to fund a new Newburyport recreation center at 59 Low St.

Some say it will cost us too much to build an $8.3 million center for the hundreds of children that will use this facility every day. We ask you to consider the opposite: that it will cost us too much not to build it.

The tragic events involving youth we've seen in recent years are painful reminders that bad things can happen in our communities and country every day. There were 332 school shootings last year. One in five high school students seriously considered attempting suicide in 2023. Suicide deaths among 10-to 24-year-olds increased by 62% from 2007 to 2021. The stats sadly go on.

We cannot say it doesn't happen here because it DOES. Several teen suicides and a tragic drunk driving death prompted the establishment of the first youth services department and hiring of Andi Egmont to lead these efforts 20 years ago.

But it is not enough. Consider these facts:

The Goldilocks myth. One councilor says this plan is too big. Another wrote it's too small. We say it is just the right size to offer children what they need (gymnasium, quiet/study rooms, art rooms, teen spaces and more) without undue taxpayer hardship. Estimates of other Massachusetts rec. center projects currently underway or recently completed have varied from $13.5 million to $50-$60 million. Our $8.3 million is much lower but could continue to escalate if we do not move now.

Prudent use of debt exclusion. Unlike many communities who have had 30, 40 and even 50 debt exclusions over the past 20 years, Newburyport has had just six (three on the same ballot). The five successful ones were for building projects that benefit our city today: schools, library, senior center. We do not use this option unless it will be a lasting, sustainable benefit to the city.

Good for children. The research is clear: Afterschool programs are instrumental in keeping kids safe and inspiring learning. According to Afterschool Alliance (afterschoolalliance.org) 10.2 million children nationally participate in community afterschool programs currently-- but parents of another 19.4 million children say their children would participate if programs were available. There are endless studies too numerous to cite here that illustrate the extensive benefits for children who do participate: better school performance, stay in school longer, avoid drugs and alcohol, and have greater future expectations and outcomes.

Good for parents. We all know this: parents who don't worry about their children after school are less stressed, have fewer unscheduled absences and are more productive at work. When there is a place for children to go after school, it offers peace of mind for working parents, ensuring their children are safe and supervised. Additionally, these programs can help working parents maintain employment, exhibit good parenting skills and confidence, and improve family interactions.

Good for our community. A community that puts focus and value on its youth is a desirable place to live and work. We want to be known as a city that values our youth and provides every possible benefit to help them become well-adjusted, productive members of our society. This is the very thing parents look for as they contemplate moving here and sending their children to our schools.

We are a community that takes care of itself and each other. We cannot be passive in the face of challenges. We have demonstrated that we recognize the value of keeping our city strong. The evidence is everywhere around us: in the restored public library, our renovated high and middle schools, a state-of-the-art elementary school, the senior community center and more.

It's time to do it again, to step up and think big for this generation and those that follow. We have an opportunity to do that by voting yes for the rec. on May 13.

FORMER MAYORS DONNA D. HOLADAY, JOHN J. MOAK,

MARY ANNE CLANCY, LISA L. MEAD, MARY M. CARRIER

FORMER ESSEX COUNTY SHERIFF FRANK G. COUSINS JR.

FORMER STATE REP. MICHAEL A. COSTELLO

Newburyport