Word on the street today is the city's consideration of not having a city-supported summer baseball/softball/t-ball program in 2010. While the details are still emerging, the issue does raise some valid concerns and some pointed criticisms.
Budget wise, the program on paper shows losing around $50K a year. With the reduced revenues and project overruns detailed earlier in this blog, every cash drain to the city looks to be under the microscope.
As a parent of a t-ball player and a 'corporate' sponsor last year of a team (that sponsorship is a $1000 obligation for a season), I've got my own issues outside of having to look at the city's needs as an elected member of the council.
It is my hope that through a grass roots effort, something can be done to save the programs. In Neosho, summer baseball has been around for decades. Not having that available for our kids doesn't seem like the best option.
I'm going to do my part to 'step up to the plate' so my daughter and 1000 other kids in Neosho have a plate to step up to in May.
(The photo above is from my 2009 coach-pitch softball team.)
Sir my name is Todd Cholka I'm part of the Neosho Baseball & Softball Committee that is trying to do what we can to take over this program so these kids can play. We need alot of people like you to help get this done with donations, sponsorships, & volunteering. With out this help we won't be able to do this. We are still working on getting a definite answer if they will let us have it yet.
ReplyDeletehaving helped the volunteers run this program 20 plus years ago, it takes a special kind of stupid to lose 50k on this program. richard, i would demand as a councilman a detailed accounting of the program.
ReplyDeletedean must be rolling over in his grave.
Being involved in the city sports for over 13 years in Neosho- This is insane! When did it ever cost over 50K for these kids to play ball???? With the volunteers that are devoted to this program (parents and such) where is the money?????
ReplyDeleteI understand this program was always in the black....where's the money?
ReplyDeleteAre you sure that Blase did not take money from this program/area too? He has taken it from everywhere else!
ReplyDelete