Letters to the Editor 7/3/2010

Published: July 3, 2010

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Thanks for your support

EDITOR: I wish to thank our local businesses for all they do for our community. It often seems to be in fashion today to be negative about companies and firms. The commercial businesses in our area are very involved in supporting school teams, town fireworks, Little League, service clubs, and many area programs. They are the first to be asked for donations many times. I wish to say thank you to companies large and small that help our community in so many ways. They are an important part of life in Towanda.

Eileen Sheets

Towanda

Building character

EDITOR: In reference to Ms. Wells' input on the pay-to-play policy in Towanda School District, I have a few thoughts to offer. Shame on you Vicki, if you truly believe that underprivileged students not being able to play sports is a "good eye-opener" and a "good lesson." You believe that it would build character to exclude school kids from participating in extra-curricular activities because their parents either cannot afford to pay or simply don't care enough to support their children in these activities. That is absurd! I know you could talk to more than one coach or teacher and hear story after story of students who had completed school and went on to lead successful lives who otherwise quite likely would have fallen by the wayside had it not been for sports or other extra-curriculars.

You stated that you don't see "poor, underprivileged kids coming out for sports." Well, the beauty of it is that once a kid is out on that field and is part of a team all dressed in that uniform, you no longer know what type of household they come from (rich or poor) - that alienation is no longer there and he or she is able to show what they can do as an individual on that team. No more stigma, just another kid on the team. So how do you even know who the underprivileged kids are; that statement alone is one of ignorance. You have no way of knowing their socio-economic background.

You also stated "because some of them don't have the home life to promote them" and asked "what do you do about that?" The answer is simple - get involved - give them the support they are lacking at home. The answer is right in front of your nose. We are all part of a community and we have the responsibility to nurture these kids - they are our greatest asset. You talk about not wanting to raise taxes to keep these programs going, how about not raising taxes to provide ballooning salaries for school district employees. In this economy we all have had to suffer and give up things and I for one believe this should include these salaries and benefit packages. What ever happened to the teachers who taught because they wanted to give something back and share their knowledge? I'm afraid those days are gone! The argument of being the most under-paid professionals is really old - they knew what they would be paid when they decided to be a teacher the same as I knew mine when I chose my career.

Frank Fee

Towanda

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