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Recreation department gains new director



Julie Engel | Argus Observer New Payette County Recreation Department Director Steve Kinzer plays on the computer in the office Wednesday. Kinzer assumed his post March 22.
Julie Engel Argus Observer

Fruitland

Steve Kinzer said he plans to mesh his leadership skills he gained from the military, his officiating experience and his passion for working with children in his new post as the director of the Payette County Recreation Department.

Kinzer stepped into his new role March 22. Kinzer said he is excited to take over as director, and plans to implement new programs in the future. Talks between Treasure Valley Community College and Kinzer are in the works, and he said he would like to start an adult education extension program through PRCD and TVCC.

“When people think about our department, they think about kids,” Kinzer said. “I want to extend it to involve more adults.”

Kinzer said he would like to offer fly tying, pottery, photography and computer classes in partnership with TVCC. Kinzer said they would be condensed, shortened classes to let people get a taste of an activity. If people enjoy the class, they could take the longer class offered at TVCC, he said. It is also important in this day and age, he said, to teach adults how to use computer programs and the Internet.

“Once you open that door, they will take advantage of it,” Kinzer said.

Linda Simmons TVCC's director of community and continuing education said the school is always looking for community partnerships. In the future she said she will sit down with Kinzer to determine what Payette County residents want to learn about and to discuss possible class topics. It is important, she said, to offer classes that are different from the ones already offered through TVCC and ones that are interesting to the public.

Kinzer said another goal is to extend the programs already in place. He said PCRD has high participation in girls basketball, football and baseball, but he would like to see a strong boys basketball league and reinstate the adult basketball and volleyball intramural leagues that have disappeared.

Kinzer grew up in Ontario, and now lives in Fruitland. He recently retired from the military in November after 25 years. Kinzer said after his tour in Iraq he felt burned out and wanted a change of pace.

He said he has also officiated basketball and football at the high school level for about 10 years.

Kinzer said he wants the public to know that he is approachable and wants to hear feedback from parents who have children in the various programs. Kinzer said he is a people person who learned how to work well with others in the military, but he also has a thick skin from officiating. When officiating Kinzer said he was always talking with players, parents and fans when play had temporarily stalled, and wants to continue that relationship as director of PCRD.

“I want parents to know their comments and concerns are important - we work for the public, that's who we're here for,” he said.

In his spare time Kinzer said he enjoys playing online computer games. Right now he is in the process of building “a monster machine” to maximize speed while playing battle simulation games. Kinzer will be able to continue his officiating in the fall, something he said is important to him.




Comment Blog - Note: All Comments Subject To Approval

No Dhimmi wrote on Aug 14, 2009 9:38 PM:

" Islam is a woman-hating, human-enslaving ideology that should NOT be taught in our public schools. It's obvious the Saudis and the rest of the Muslim fanatics who are trying to take over the world have bought off the State of Oregon. Expect lawsuits.

And this isn't "racist," because Islam is not a race, anymore than Communism or Nazism are races, both of which killed far fewer people than Islam.

Disgusting. "

anonymous wrote on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 AM:

" The girl was Latasha Rodriguez "

Cody W. Ables wrote on May 16, 2008 11:04 PM:

" May 16, 2008

Here is something that we should all read. This is a letter from an angry woman in New Jersey regarding the War in Iraq and all of the war’s negative publicity. Pay attention.

'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores on September 11, 2001?

Were people from all over the world, mostly Americans, not brutally murdered that day, in downtown Manhattan, across the Potomac from our nation's capitol and in a field in Pennsylvania?

Did nearly three-thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?

And I'm supposed to care that a copy of the Koran was 'desecrated' when an overworked American soldier kicked it or got it wet?...Well, I don't. I don't care at all.

I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11.

I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about the Holy Bible, the mere possession of which is a crime in Saudi Arabia .

I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.

I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Iraq come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques.

I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.

I'll care when the American media stops pretending that their First Amendment liberties are somehow derived from international law instead of the United States Constitution's Bill of Rights.

In the meantime, when I hear a story about a brave marine roughing up an Iraqi terrorist to obtain information, know this: I don't care.

When I see a fuzzy photo of a pile of naked Iraqi prisoners who have been humiliated in what amounts to a college-hazing incident, rest assured: I don't care.

When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take it to the bank: I don't care.

When I hear that a prisoner, who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and fed 'special' food that is paid for by my tax dollars, is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts: I don't care.

Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behavior!

If you don't agree, then by all means quit reading. Should you choose to do so, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great Country! And may I add:

'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don't have that problem' -- Ronald Reagan

I have another quote that I would like to add

'If we ever forget that we're One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.' Also by.. Ronald Reagan

One last thought for the day:

In case we find ourselves starting to believe all the Anti-American sentiment and negativity, we should remember England 's Prime Minister Tony Blair's words during a recent interview. When asked by one of his Parliament members why he believes so much in America , he said: 'A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at how many want in.. And how many want out.'

Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I.
Important for us all!!!!
One died for your soul, the other for your freedom.

MANY SEEM TO FORGET BOTH OF THEM. AMEN!’


I hope you take this woman’s viewpoint into consideration. It closely parallels my own. As I begin my journey in becoming a soldier of the greatest country in the world, hearing this woman’s words sets my heart at ease. It is warming to know that there are people in this great country who still care about those men and women who have no choice.


Cody W. Ables
U.S. Air Force Academy 2012
"


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