Dear Youth Football Coaches,
I don't even really know where to start. Since Hurricane Katrina, you have been asking when the
lights at our park were going to be repaired. Our answer for six and half years has been
the same...we are waiting on the final approved project worksheet and most
importantly, the money from FEMA. The
project was going to cost around a half million dollars and there was no way
the City could finance it without FEMA.
Finally, early this year we got the project and money approved from FEMA
and it went out to bid. That was a whole
process in and of itself....a municipal project going out for bid is no easy
task.
Due to spec mess ups and what not, the construction that was
supposed to start in May, did not begin until June with a tentative completion
by September. So, the fields to the park closed in June
with a large sign posted and field dugouts fenced off. The fields now belonged to the contractor
doing the work, so no one was supposed to be on them. We had other parks for your football teams to
practice in once their season started, so it was going to be okay. However, there was this little thing called
weather and lots of it, that popped up in July, and I don't know if you are
aware, but when you are working on electrical stuff, you can't do it in rain,
you know, due to getting electrocuted and all, so, the contractor had to add
rain days onto his initial deadline date.
Then in August, there was this Hurricane called Isaac that added even
MORE rain days to the deadline and oh God...it caused damage to the lighting in
some of the other parks you practice in.
Problems that just recently cropped up and we are working on them
now. These things happening were not in
the control of our department.
Weather is not in our control.
The contractor needing additional time for our park, due to storms,
that is not in our control.
I have tremendous respect for men and women who volunteer
their time to teach our children sports.
My children have played soccer, football, baseball, volleyball and basketball. To volunteer your time to try and teach children...ten to fifteen of them...about the game...the rules, the plays,
etc., well...that takes patience and believe me when I say, my hat's off to you for doing it, but my question is this, shouldn't you
also be trying to teach them about following the rule for other things outside
the game, should that occasion arise? Such as,
understanding that the sign says, "Fields Closed". Such as, not taking down fencing (just in
case you didn't understand the sign, this was put up so that maybe you would
realize....oh...we aren't supposed to be on here) and literally walking on it
and over it to get on the closed fields.
When I approached you about being on a closed field, your statement of
"Well, the lights were on, I thought they were open." makes no
sense. Why? BECAUSE YOU WALKED PAST A 4 X 6 FOOT DIGITAL
SIGN AND STEPPED ON BRIGHT ORANGE FENCING TO GET TO IT. What you didn't see was the man over at the
electrical panels doing work on them. What you don't realize is that those lights,
that are on (and being worked on), have not even been aimed in the direction
needed to adequately light the fields. What you don't understand is that if one...just ONE of those kids gets hurt on that field, you know, the closed one with the orange fencing you took down and walked over, they can attempt to sue our contractor and possibly even our City.
Your response at my
explanation was that Parks & Recreation doesn't care about the youth football organization. If we didn't care about you guys, we wouldn't
be attempting to keep the children who play your sport, safe. If we didn't care about you guys, our City
would not donate $10,000 from our Parks & Recreation budget to your
organization to help keep it going. If
we didn't care about you guys, we would not provide parks (NOT under
construction) for your children to practice.
I understand that you are frustrated and feel like we are not helping
you out. We are frustrated with the
contractor and inspections taking so long.
But think about it. If you were
building a new home and the electrical work was not finished or had not passed
inspection...would you allow your children to in there and play? No.
You would put their safety first.
We are attempting to do the same for you. Is it an inconvenience? Yes, but it will be worth it. What is NOT acceptable is you showing your
team of children complete disregard for rules.
I don't think that is how you play football and I know that's not how
you're supposed to play in real life either.
So, Coach, instead of berating a City employee because you
are inconvenienced, try finding out what is actually going on and
LISTENING. I will not raise my voice at you, as you have done to me, in an attempt to garner your attention. I will calmly try to explain to you what is taking place, (in this case...it is
construction and working on electrical panels) without making threats to call the Mayor (who is aware of the situation) or media outlets.
Just because it may not be what you want to hear, doesn't mean it is any
less true. We are trying.
We really are. And I
promise...no...I SWEAR....it's not that we don't like your team or your
sport....but we are on the verge of not liking you.
Sincerely,
A berated employee
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