Editor, Gazette-Journal:

In response to Gloucester Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Carol Steele’s letter of May 14 regarding the closure of the Creative Learning Preschool Program:

—As stewards of the taxpayers’ dollars, one of the most efficient, beneficial and prudent methods of utilizing taxpayer dollars is providing an enriching early childhood experience. Creative Learning Preschool has offered a secular, low-budget, least-cost community preschool for families (who do not qualify for Head Start) for over 30 years.

—Enrollment has declined to the point where expenses have exceeded revenue due to a lack of exposure and awareness, not student availability. For example, from 2000 to 2006, the CLP program was promoted in the quarterly county-sponsored Beehive publication in almost every issue. From 2006 to the present, the CLP program was mentioned briefly once a year. The noticeable absence of free advertising for the preschool coincides with manageme...