Steering future stars in a rough economy

COURTESY PHOTO Gary Bostic On this morning the STARS Complex in Fort Myers smells strongly of bleach. It is the clean before the storm to come in the afternoon, when 250 kids will barrel into the facility for fun and instruction. At the eye of the storm will be Gary Bostic, who recently woke up to find that his boss had lost his job to budget cuts and that he is now head of the complex.

"I knew things were bad, but I didn't know they were this bad," Mr. Bostic said. "I was in a fog. I found out that my superior wasn't here anymore, then a few hours later I was told I had to take over his responsibilities. He was my superior, but also my friend."

Mr. Bostic is a picture of parks and recreation polish. Wearing a collared shirt embroidered with the city seal and a baseball cap, this former military man works at keeping a clean, safe environment in the heart of the Dunbar community. It is a "necessary commodity" as Mr. Bostic calls it. He realizes that STARS is more than just a recreation center, it is a source of pride and sometimes a springboard for young people to find their way.

"I think the neighborhood takes care of us," he said.

"Any other place, the basketball courts, the nets are gone every other day, not here." The community that uses the center also has a stake in its stewardship.

For now, the community and Mr. Bostic will have to get by with less.

Mr. Bostic's former boss was just one victim of budget cuts and layoffs at the City of Fort Myers.

There will not be free swimming lessons offered at the complex for the first time in its history. The swim team has been eliminated and the pool will be closed throughout the winter.

The budget for a prize drawer used as incentives for students in the tutoring program is gone, as well as the money for uniforms and materials for floats for the Edison Parade.

"It may seem like little things, but the kids get into it," Mr. Bostic said. He hopes donations will make up for the shortfalls.

The STARS Complex is part of the fabric of Fort Myers' social safety net. It has become a place where parents can entrust their kids after school while they themselves work or seek jobs.

There are rows of computer terminals in one room where students practice for the FCAT exams. STARS has been recognized by the Lee County School District for helping to bring test scores up.

There are foosball and air hockey tables and an indoor gymnasium with basketball and volleyball. There are pristine tennis courts outside.

The center hosts a choir, sewing club, baseball, flag football, drama class and martial arts instruction. There are Healthy Habits courses to instruct kids on better ways to eat and Life Skills courses that teach, among other things, how to interview for a job.

Mr. Bostic dispenses public service clichés like: "If they're not exposed to it they'll never know what their potential will be."

But one gets the sense that he isn't just reciting the lines.

"I tell my kids they're all my stars." Coming from someone else, the line might make you squirm, but it's easy to believe that Mr. Bostic believes it himself, that he cares about every kid walking through the double glass doors.

"I had one girl come back the other day, she's in college, and she told me 'thank you' because I gave her a love for English. And then, of course, I get the other ones. They recently got out of prison, and I tell them they aren't acting like we raised them." He smiles parentally. "I do love this job."

He is aware that there is no longer any security in the job he loves. Although the current budget has been approved, there is always a new budget on the horizon and shrinking city revenues putting pressure on the politicians to find more places to trim. In the meantime, Mr. Bostic said he will gladly take on more responsibility, likely for the same salary he has been receiving.

"It's an uncomfortable feeling," he said. "It could have been worse. We're lucky the program has not been seriously hurt."