Adams Warnock retiring after 13 years of volunteer service

PRESCOTT-The Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District has maintained a park and pool that is well known around our valley for being clean, family friendly, and just plain fun. After more than a decade of volunteering as a commissioner for the district, Patsy Welch Adams Warnock is hanging up her sunhat and retiring from the job.

A former school teacher, Patsy has a deep love for helping others. Her family has been in the area for more than a decade where she says volunteering has become a way of life for her, and she couldn't ask for a better community to serve.

After graduating from Prescott High School and moving all over Washington state, Patsy was more than happy to come home in 2005. Since her return, Patsy has served 13 years on the rural library district board and 13 years as a commissioner on the Prescott Joint Park and Recreation District (PJPRD).

"One of the pool board members said 'you know, I've got a job for you. I know something you could do to keep busy,'" Patsy said.

Patsy agreed to fill out the term for another board member in 2007. Since then she was elected to serve two full terms on the board. Her current term will be ending December 31, 2020. She said she is sad to see her time as a commissioner end, but she has plenty of other volunteer work to keep her busy.

Patsy said that the commissioners oversee all operations of both the pool and the park. They are also tasked with securing funding for both facilities, as well. Day to day operations and maintenance are funded by levy money, additional projects are often funded with grant money. The commissioners are required to prepare the levy and complete any needed grant applications.

Over her 13 years as a commissioner, Patsy said that one of the most enjoyable parts of the job has been always having great employees.

"We have lots of return lifeguards and employees," Patsy said. "We give a lot of kids their first real jobs and many of them come back year after year." All lifeguards are required to go through training before they are able to work. Patsy also said that the lifeguards have been very successful with swimming lessons for kids all over the Valley.

"I am so proud that a tiny little place like Prescott is able to vote in the support year after year," Patsy said, in reference to the annual levy. She said that the community has really rallied to vote over the past ten years, and the support has made her job very rewarding. "The swimming pool and the library are the heart of our little community. And the Tux!"

Elections for the PJPRD will be held in the fall and interested parties must have their application in to the Walla Walla County Elections Office by the first week of May to be on the ballot. For further information, the PJPRD office can be reached at (509) 849-2314.