Saratoga News

Letters

Children are citizens of Saratoga, too

I am absolutely outraged. Of all the crappy things that our governments do to people, messing around with kids is the most appalling. What in the world should be the primary focus of city government? No. 1 is the safety and well being of the citizens of that city. Children are citizens of Saratoga, and an integral part of their well being is a place to play.

I was astounded to find out that the city charged anything for the use by AYSO and Little League of the Congress Springs facility. AYSO and Little League are our children! What in the hell am I paying taxes for?

I am an AYSO coach and a Little League coach. I, like every other volunteer, pour time, money and energy into the programs for the sole purpose of enriching the lives of our children and the friends they play with.

It is incredible the amount of volunteer work involved in these two programs. Literally hundreds of volunteers spend thousands of hours to support these programs, and here we find the city government trying to figure out how to make it an income-producing venue.

Congress Springs belongs to the people of Saratoga, not the city [government]. I don't care what it cost to keep the fields in order; the city should pay it and be happy about it instead of asking for a 1,000 percent increase in fees.

I, for one, would like to see a public detailed accounting of the supposed $80,000 the city spends to keep the fields in order.

How much did the city spend to develop the facility? My bet is it was not much. I don't know this for a fact, but my guess is that the facility was developed through individual and business contributions.

That this discussion is even occurring leads me to think that the whole City Council needs a swift kick out the door.

Dennis Farmer
El Camino Grande

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