Pubdate: Thu, 25 Dec 2014
Source: Yakima Herald-Republic (WA)
Copyright: 2014 Yakima Herald-Republic
Contact: http://special.yakimaherald.com/submit/
Website: http://www.yakimaherald.com/home/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/511
Author: Ty Beaver, Tri-City Herald

PROSSER SCHOOLS GET $7,000 FOR REJECTING POT MONEY

PROSSER - Another benefactor has stepped forward to reward the Prosser
School District and another organization for their refusal of a
$14,000 donation from a marijuana grower.

Rich Gerlitz, a Richland resident and 1971 graduate of Prosser High
School, and his wife, Jan, recently gave $7,000 checks to the district
and the Prosser branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton & Franklin
Counties after both turned down money from Randy Williams, owner of
Fireweed Farms just north of town.

Williams approached the district about donating some money after he
made about $600,000 during a Nov. 15 marijuana auction. Superintendent
Ray Tolcacher and the Prosser School Board turned it down, saying it
could send mixed signals to students about marijuana.

The district and youth organization have received praise and criticism
for turning down the grower's donation. Gerlitz, who works in the
financial services industry as an estate planner while his wife was a
teacher, was surprised at the backlash following the donation's
rejection and wanted to show he and many others stand with the
decision, he said.

"We feel strongly the school district contradicts itself if it accepts
drug-related money," Gerlitz told the Herald.

Brian Ace, executive director of the regional Boys & Girls Club
organization, declined to comment on the rejected donation, adding
that he has written a commentary on the decision that will publish in
the Herald this weekend.

Williams ended up giving $1,000 to the Prosser VFW post and $13,000 to
a needy Prosser-area family.

A Tri-City Herald editorial critical of the rejections of the money
prompted Gerlitz's donation, he said.

His donation came with no strings attached, though district officials
and those with the Boys & Girls Clubs told him they planned to use it
for drug prevention and intervention.

"We're just trying to reinforce their decision," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D