HomeMy WebLinkAboutVII(E) Discussion Re Boxing Program Agenda 10-16-2001
Item VII E
From: Parker, Nancy Sent: Monday, October 08, 2001 10:39 AM
To: Gleason, James
Cc: Vandergrift, Scott; Johnson, Rusty; Anderson, Scott; Howell, Danny
Subject: Boxing Club
I suppose you have gotten the hint that I am concerned about the Boxing Program, which
is a PROGRAM that belongs to the City of Ocoee, not a club.
First of all - every other advisory conunittee reports to the City, the Mayor &
Commission. Members of the committee are City residents who go through the
application and appointment process. This committee is in no way connected to us,
however it has assumed responsibilities and decision making processes that give it control
of Children who are participants in the City's program and for whom the City is
responsible.
Second of all - this program was set up with a primary goal of reaching at risk kids and
giving them focus, a structured program, self-esteem building, mentoring - with the end
result being a young person who shows improvement in school and at home. I have yet to
see any method of tracking this and I do not know if this is being done. Physical fitness of
all other participants, both children and adults is also a goal.
Third - the wrestling fund-raiser Fiasco which resulted in a loss to the city. It isn't the
money that concerns me. I paid to have a sponsorship in this program and when I saw
the program itself, I was not happy with the language, photos and overall presentation. I
am no prude, but this was not something that I would have considered in good taste. I am
a 47 year old woman, but my 84 year-old mother would still put a good whoopin on my if
I used the language and inferences that were in this Xeroxed wrestling program.
Until the past couple of weeks, I have been at the program, not just participating, but
observing the participants and the structure. It is not as tightly run as it was in the
beginning or as it should be now. The building is a mess inside. The bathrooms often do
not have paper towels, sufficient toilet paper or sometimes even soap. This may not
bother kids, but I think these things are necessities. There is a lot of miscellaneous "stuff"
and equipment stored inside the building that I believe could be considered hazards as
they are just plain in the way.
These represent only a sampling of my concerns. I have been concerned about some of
this from early stages of the program. I know that Bruce did not spend much time on
getting it going in the correct direction in the beginning, I hope you understand my
concern is for the welfare of the minor children who participate and also for the liability
risks on the part of the City.
Serious discussion is needed in my humble opinion.
Nancy Parker