Local Government TV

▼

Thursday, March 11, 2021

Osborne: Did South Whitehall Strike Out With Youth Sports?

As the BOC meeting last Wednesday was coming down the home stretch, a seemingly routine question was asked by a commissioner concerning a recent contact from a constituent about increased fees associated with the use of ballfields for youth sports this year. And that question turned into a “porta-potty issue” as dubbed by an administration official. Apparently, the township had forewarned the youth groups last year that beginning in 2021, they would no longer “foot the bill” (as this official worded it) for porta-potties on non-township owned sports fields. And now they followed through with this plan in an effort to cut expenses for the Parks & Recreation department.

Based on the public discussion, it is unclear who made this decision, but very clear that not all the commissioners were aware of this policy change for something that has been in place since 2005. Ironically, a commissioner who is typically in the majority of the 3-2 decisions, stated earlier this year that the township exceeded budget expectations in 2020 and ended up with a “surplus.” Residents are wondering why, then, is this relatively miniscule expense been targeted for cuts after a “surplus” year?”


I’m committed to call “balls and strikes” as I see them in this blog. In light of a supposed budget “surplus”, is this the year to impose a greater financial burden on our families and their young athletes as we get back to some semblance of normal life?

Thankfully, a pinch hitter stepped up to the plate . . . hearing this news, a longtime township resident started a GoFundMe account this week to help defray the cost to the families in the township. Within 48 hours, they have reached over 70% of their goal.

How do you see this . . . did the township leave our youth groups stranded on base, or is this right time to enforce the “rules” and let the residents go to bat for themselves??


at

9 comments:

  1. AnonymousMarch 11, 2021 at 6:33 AM

    Government mostly hates citizens. We know what happens when the government says it's here to help. But the GoFundMe proves that people can handle there own business. In this case, the BOC or whomever is responsible, although hilariously dysfunctional, stumbled into the correct decision. Even mean spirited, blithering idiots get lucky sometimes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousMarch 11, 2021 at 6:36 AM

    This is so sad there’s something fundamentally wrong with the core of South WhiteHall’s government.. in one breath they give Grants out to Small businesses and then the next breath they take Porta potty‘s away from kids. This is not the South Whitehall Township that I grew up with ,something has to change I’m not sure what but I’m sure it’ will start to change on May 18.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 11, 2021 at 7:52 AM

    I understand lines need to be drawn and the twp doesn’t have unlimited funds but it’s important to keep youth programs supported. If a change is going to be made, the programs should have been given at least a year to make other arrangements. Springing this on them at the last minute is not fair.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMarch 11, 2021 at 8:15 AM

    Since I'm not from SWT I don't know the set up/structure of their youth sports programs, but to be honest, that the township was providing porto potties on non-township owned sports fields is incredibly generous. There certainly is a not insignificant cost associated with having them, and like everyone everywhere, those costs have slowly risen year by year.

    That said, yes with a surplus its an easy item to provide that has a tangible impact on the quality of life in the township. Youth sports brings communities together and boost civic pride and involvement.

    ReplyDelete
  5. ROBERT HODGESMarch 11, 2021 at 8:57 AM

    Thanks for Bringing this issue to the public, Brad. I am the "Township Resident" you mention in the blog. I just want to clarify that it was David Kennedy and Monica Hodges, two candidates for SWT Commissioner, who decided to start this fundraiser and help these kids. I only helped them by getting it up and running on Gofundme. For any who read this and wish to help them, please follow this link.

    https://gofund.me/c2aef6f0

    Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ROBERT HODGESMarch 11, 2021 at 11:08 AM

    Apparently the link I added to my comment for the GoFundMe page did not work. Can you please post this link? Hopefully this one will work.

    https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-fund-south-whitehall-youth-sports-facilities

    Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousMarch 16, 2021 at 7:25 AM

    Brad - please write something about the people running for SWT commissioner. I am starting to receive mailers and of course the mailers all imply each person is great. I'd love to have your insight prior to voting in the primary.

    Thanks and keep up the good work!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Brad OsborneMarch 17, 2021 at 10:10 AM

      Thank you for your response. I plan to post about the South Whitehall commissioner race soon!

      Delete
  8. AnonymousMarch 16, 2021 at 6:30 PM

    Time for fresh faces in SWT, Morgan and Setton be have gotta go, as n do NO to Tom Johns, rep turned dem.

    Andwhy is Joe Setton to re-elect him? He was never elected... He was appointed during a midnight fiasco meeting thanks to known clown Pinsley

    ReplyDelete

You own views are appreciated, especially if they differ from mine. But remember, commenting is a privilege, not a right. I will delete personal attacks or off-topic remarks at my discretion. Comments that play into the tribalism that has consumed this nation will be declined. So will comments alleging voter fraud unless backed up by concrete evidence. If you attack someone personally, I expect you to identify yourself. I will delete criticisms of my comment policy, vulgarities, cut-and-paste jobs from other sources and any suggestion of violence towards anyone. I will also delete sweeping generalizations about mainstream parties or ideologies, i.e. identity politics. My decisions on these matters are made on a case by case basis, and may be affected by my mood that day, my access to the blog at the time the comment was made or other information that isn’t readily apparent.