| Author | Message | ||
     Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1549 Registered: 1-2004  |
Two Sense- I agree with what you said in your Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 11:47 am post. I also think, like the tennis courts, there should be time limits on the basketball court. But everytime I say this, Hoops gives me a lesson in basketball 'culture.' It must be the drain bamage I have cuz I just don't get it...  | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1550 Registered: 1-2004 |
EXACTLY Tom! BUT, as long as there are people who allow the obnoxious behavior to continue, by excusing and justifying it as the 'culture' of basketball, nothing is going to change... >>>Even so, they should be allowed to address bad behavior, no? I don't fear such complaints (and possible enforcement) would lead teenagers from Irvington and anywhere else to stop playing basketball in South Orange. It might get them to behave better. That would be a good thing.<<< | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1551 Registered: 1-2004 |
Matt- Same for my brothers, sisters, me and our friends. If we misbehaved or were disrespectful to an adult, we were in big trouble. I ran into someone I grew up with at the pool today and we were discussing how things were when we were kids. We recalled many a time we were made to sit under the lifeguard chair for not following the rules. Our favorite was pushing the lifeguard in the old pool. (remember Ann Connelly?) Nowadays, forget it. It would be considered abuse to make a kid sit under a lifeguard chair. >>>In my day a call to our parents from anyone from the community center would have been devastating at the homefront.<<< | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1552 Registered: 1-2004 |
Ah Hoops. The way you explained this in your Thursday, June 30, 2005 - 2:05 pm post is not at all how you've explained it in the past. IF players were rotated in, according to who was there first, it would be a different story. The way I (and others) understood what you were originally, saying is the people on the court control the court until they no longer want to play. It also seemed as if you were saying they didn't have to let anyone else play if they didn't want to. To me, that is unacceptable. Especially when there are other people waiting. I have no problem with 'your team plays until it looses.' But as new people show up, they should automatically become part of the next team. And Once again, they are MY NEPHEWS!!! They've been raised to be considerate of others and do not buy into this culture garbage. Same with the other people they know who play basketball. They will not be taught to be rude to people. Culture or not, it is rude for one group of people to dictate who plays on the court. And if my arguement still stands if I go by the way you originally explained things. OTOH based on your most recent explaination, with a slight variation, I'd have no problem with that. (but I think as new players show up they join the next team). This prevents the less popular children from being left out. And by the way, your underhanded snipe about my nephews playing with the 'big boys' was uncalled for... The team they played on the past two years won in their league too. But you want to know something else? What you described in the 30 June post didn't happen. Despit a bunch of other kids waiting to play, the kids on the court already refused to let them. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1553 Registered: 1-2004 |
Thank you Rasto. Someone finally gets it... >>> problem is that for young kinds, it's simply not reasonable for them to be playing against kids so much bigger. A 9-year old should not be on the court with 17 year olds. I don't care how good he is, basketball is a physical game and seems to be getting more physical every year. So how does a 9 year old get to play if the guys holding the court (and lined up next) are mostly much older<<< | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1554 Registered: 1-2004 |
I can't believe I'm going to say this, but for once I do agree with you. >>>If anything the Baird can maybe schedule times when only kids are allowed and see what the usage would be with that policy but let the courts be open to all. <<< BUT as for kids not playing with adults. My nephews play with bigger and older kids all the time. One of the kids they like to play with will be going to Cornell in Sept on a basketball scholarship. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1555 Registered: 1-2004 |
Gee Monty- You expected me to answer your original post within two hours on a beautiful day? <lol> >>>still waiting to hear what the police did about the situation) <<< | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1556 Registered: 1-2004 |
Soda- You have a point about speaking to Andy. I might give him a call tomorrow to ask if maybe he could schedule a couple of 'meetings' with people from the community to discuss how the courts should be run. This way everyone who wants to has a say. Andy can then take into consideration what's said and draw up guidelines and rules. | ||
| Sheena Collum SHU Citizen Username: Sheena_collum Post Number: 223 Registered: 4-2005  |
Wow JTA - u are on a roll. Met T and her son (what a cute kid). P.S. Check the S.O. website - they posted the pic of the baseball team. Mary032 - Normally find most of your posts to be sensible but the last one really threw me off. I hope that you're wrong. And like I said before, I was at that meeting and not knowing the gentlemen who spoke and that he's a genuinely nice guy (from what I heard), I was under the same impression Trustee Jennings was. I don't think anyone intentionally set out to be malicious. Bets - I've been in that area pretty late but never past 10pm. I'll go check it out. Thanks for the info. Also, just a general thought but maybe the folks who are irritated by the courts should make a formal petition as the people did on Fairview about the speeding problem (great job John and Tracey). I think there has been isolated individual cases of concerns/complaints but maybe if the entire community in that direction all voiced concern at once, it would be more of a priority for the BOT and Rec. Center to address. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1560 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hey Sheena- Yeah I guess I am. Some things just irk me. I have to look for the pic. The kids were disappointed there was nothing in the Snooze Wretched. They were in Vermont all week and are now at a friend's birthday party. They did call tonight to check about the article and to ask if it's still on for next week with the basketball players. Told them I'd ask you. And T's litle one is a great kid! Have him show you the George and Martha books! Also the Cat in the Hat tape (that's actually mine). More on topic - I don't think he likes basketball. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 914 Registered: 9-2004 |
My friend tells me that I shouldn’t be surprised. Trustee Jennings ran on black-versus-white ticket and we should expect that both she and Moore-Abrams will continue on the same pattern. Watch how the black issue will become more and more predominant in our town, disproportionate to the number of African-American residents. mary032, Jennings and Moore-Abrams had another WHITE individual (Salvatoriello) on their ticket. So your dead wrong on that point. And the whole TONE of your post sounds a bit bias against them to me. Especially the later which I bolded. WOW! I see you’ve had alot of anomosity towards them from the beginning, judging from this thread which YOU posted. /discus/messages/3133/63427.html?1111582492 Your thoughts & attitude of this town is astounding!  | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1784 Registered: 7-2003 |
JTA I have to agree with hoops here. It’s the laws of the playground. Just like the “Do Over” and “Ghost Man”. You keep the court until you loose. It’s been like that at every court I’ve ever played at, from scary Newark teens to professionals on their lunch hour. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1562 Registered: 1-2004 |
Brett= If it were keeping the courts until you loose with the winning team taking on the next group of players, and there were blocks of time set aside for the little kids I wouldn't be voicing my opinion. BUT that is NOT what happened in the three experiences my nephews had when they wanted to play; and that is not how hoops described it at first. My nephews' were told, among other things to f-off we will play as long as we want. None of the kids waiting patiently for those playing to finish were 'invited' to play in the next game. This to me is wrong. Maybe it's time someone chages how things are done to make it more fair. As someone pointed out, if kids shouldn't be playing with adults, and it's 'play until you loose,' how are the little kids, especially those who actually live in town; supposed to play on the courts? Is the only time they're going to be able to enjoy the courts is during a clinic? It's a shame kids my nephews age are unable to enjoy the courts. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 230 Registered: 10-2004 |
JTA - I have no reason to snipe at your nephews at all. In fact it is my hope that they grow up to become basketball stars, and that they play at Columbia. However they are not as 9 year olds no matter their size ready to play a competitive game with teenagers. The years will pass quickly for them and if they stay interested and have the love for the game they may be the ones dominating the courts at the Baird. I do not get 'personal' with anyone on the board and I apologize if anything I have said has caused you any angst. I hope my latest explanation was good enough for you and if it makes you feel better I agree that the order of players should be 'first come first served'. That is how it generally is but there are certainly exceptions and the individual who has the next game is the one who has the rights to the court next and as such he/she does the selections. I know it is not technically 'fair' but it is efficient and it is the way things work. It helps to weed out the players from the pretenders. The more competitive the talent on the court the more selective the person holding the next usually gets. Your issues with teenagers and the court not withstanding I think that you are starting to see what I have been trying to say. It is my hope that whatever good you are trying to accomplish by going to talk with Andy or Charlie Tamayo, that as a person who has is not really familiar with 'the way things work' on an open court, you do not get too particular and allow the recreation department to create its programs. | ||
| Tom Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8040 Registered: 1-2003  |
Just the Aunt, I think when older kids say f-off to your nephews, it's a good time to step in and point out to them that your nephews deserve a chance to use the court. You know, it takes a village and all that rot. It may be scary to approach them, but I think you can and should. They may not listen, but they may. Even if they don't, you set a good example. And you may choose to escalate it. But escalation should start at the bottom, i.e. direct conversation. And negotiation is fair. If they don't say when they think they'll be done, propose a time and let them counterpropose another time. | ||
| Brett Citizen Username: Bmalibashksa Post Number: 1785 Registered: 7-2003 |
Sounds to me like there will be a cop standing there with a sign in sheet. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 915 Registered: 9-2004 |
Once the court is completed, this whole issue is going to get interesting. Curious on the following: 1. If the town holds basketball clinics on this court, would that be open to all? 2. Could the town reserve the right to set-up schedules? 3. Can outside groups reserve and set-up games? Again, this was paid by your federal dollars, therefore, open to ALL. | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1001 Registered: 12-2003  |
First: Little kids aren't necessarily "supposed" to play on the courts. The baskets are regulation height, aren't they, not the height you'll find in elementary schools? Second: Again, Just The Aunt, you keep implying that what happened to your nephews happens all the time on hte courts. (Yes, I know you didn't say that directly, but you aren't acting as if this was an isolated incident.) I'm telling you I simply don't believe that to be true. Third: You say you didn't call the police because you were sure they wouldn't do anything. Not sure why you think that. If the police are blowing you off, post the names of the officers here. I've found them to be incredibly responsive on even the smallest things, and this is no small thing. My opinion: The courts are often empty, and the vast majority of people who use the courts are from South Orange, and the vast majority of people who use the courts aren't hurling profanity at little kids or otherwise being rude. One person, Just The Aunt, has complained about something that happened once to her nephews, and now folks are debating setting up an ID system, blocking off the courts to the public, and all sorts of other things. Is it possible, just possible, that this incident -- which is entirely inexcusable -- doesn't represent the usual behavior at the Baird basketball courts? | ||
| cmontyburns Citizen Username: Cmontyburns Post Number: 1002 Registered: 12-2003 |
By the way, this whole issue started on another thread where somebody pointed out that federal money was used to rehab the courts, and was worried about whether or not this meant we had to let people from outside South Orange play on them. I question whether the motivation here was ever about behavior, and more about hording our toys so others can't play. (Just The Aunt: I'm not talking about you here -- I know your legitimate concern is about the way your nephews were treated.) | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8050 Registered: 1-2003 |
Good question, Pony, but here's another: How much of it should she tolerate before it becomes representative behavior? | ||
| SO1969 Citizen Username: Bklyn1969 Post Number: 64 Registered: 7-2004 |
This is way out of my comfort zone in discussing but I'm reluctantly offering up a comment I heard following this meeting. I was at dinner with an african american that specializes in developing affordable housing in inner cities. He grew up in a tough area of LA. I had heard the resident's commentary and the trustee's comment in response and it related to a discussion we were having so I shared it with him. His initial response was yeah, there is an underlying racial message there. After he said that, though, he said that as a developer he doesn't build or allow basketball courts in his developments. He said he's not concerned about the tenants in his buidings, he's concerned that the courts will be a magnet for others and that the players will create an atmosphere that is at cross purposes with what he is trying to do with his development or redevelopment. I don't deny that race is part of the mix, but I think the resident's comments and postings on MOL suggest that what people haven't liked about the courts and fear about increasing the number of courts is not that black kids in South Orange will want to play there, but that it will be more of a magnet for kids from neighboring towns. And yes, based on their observations, they don't like the behavior that they've seen exhibited by some of these kids in the past and do not want more of it. If we were all comfortable living in Irvington or Newark and having our kids play on the streets and basketball courts of those towns, we could have saved ourselves a heck of a lot of money by moving there instead. | ||
| susan1014 Supporter Username: Susan1014 Post Number: 778 Registered: 3-2002 |
Monty, I think that the little kid issue is going to become more important, if anything. The rec dept email that I got today was bragging about "our newly renovated outdoor courts, fully equipped with adjustable baskets suitable for young players" Now we have to make sure that the younger players have a chance to use them outside of basketball camp... | ||
| Brett Weir Citizen Username: Brett_weir Post Number: 725 Registered: 4-2004 |
No wonder the famous "Midnight Basketball" project never got off the ground. Nobody could navigate the subtle-yet-intricate cultural aspects of this seemingly innocent game. Basketball is a game played throughout this country and the world. Like every other game, it draws people young and old from many divergent walks of life. Like every other game, it involves competition and can cause some friction. And like every other game played by young people, it occasionally results in conflicts. This may explain why it was banished from several parks in town such as Farrell Field where it thrived for decades before its exile. The courts at Baird are a great idea, as Baird Community Center was once a host to many games and programs for kids before it become a cultural hub and effectively sent the kids packing. The courts should operate during reasonable hours and a parks employee should be present to resolve issues and curb unacceptable behavior. Court use should be allowed equitably; there aren't many to go around so no one should be able to lock them up indefinitely under "losers walk" rule. Younger kids should have access, but they and parents should realize that these are regulation courts and concrete surfaces- injuries happen, so play at your own risk. Rude behavior such as bullying and profanity are monitored by the "court manager", who can make players sit out for violations and ban them for ongoing violations. Rude behavior coming and going is in the eye of the beholder; if the noise, etc. is annoying residents, they should call the police. If the police get repeat calls involving the same violators, they will surely find creative ways to curb said behavior. Youth today seem much less able to play independently and resolve differences than we were years ago. I don't know why, but it seems to be the case. Our best recourse as adults is to accept this and provide some guidance via the aforementioned manager. One park manager solved a world of difficulties years ago, and having such a person now would be money well spent. Race will become a greater factor exponentially as common sense becomes a lesser factor. | ||
| AntoninaKC Citizen Username: Antoninakc Post Number: 44 Registered: 5-2005  |
great post, cmonty (7/1 10:58am) I think you put this situation into perspective for anyone who has been bored to death by having to read through all JTA's personal responses. Moving on, the thread has become bogged down by useless theories (assign badges, verify residency, helicopter surveillance) that do not alleviate or 'fix' the problems that occur however frequently at the courts. Like many other people have said, if there is a problem, call the cops! South Orange isnt a very dangerous community where the cops are constantly fighting crime- (they are overseeing street crews lay bricks into sidewalks for heavens sake!) In addition, it seems to me that the courts are most always open during the daytime and early evening- so why not take the children there during times when you know they wont be crowded by older "scarier" people? | ||
| User58 Citizen Username: User58 Post Number: 238 Registered: 8-2004 |
are the gyms in the schools open for basketball in the summer? | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8052 Registered: 1-2003 |
SO1969 wrote: If we were all comfortable living in Irvington or Newark and having our kids play on the streets and basketball courts of those towns, we could have saved ourselves a heck of a lot of money by moving there instead. I suppose we do choose our homes by what's comfortable, but we don't have total control unless it's a planned and perhaps gated community. So we have to be a little flexible in what makes us "comfortable." I've never heard of banning a popular sport like basketball (or it not banning it, wishing it weren't there or promoted) because of the sort of behavior it engenders or attracts. If that isn't racist, it seems classist. | ||
| Phenixrising Citizen Username: Phenixrising Post Number: 918 Registered: 9-2004 |
@ Cmontyburns, Brett, & Tom, DITTO! DITTO! DITTO!  | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 231 Registered: 10-2004 |
For the record I have played regularly on the Memorial Park courts, the Baird before it fell into disrepair, Newark West Park, Union on Liberty ave, Orange Park, Livingston behind the high school, and many others in towns all over Essex, Union and Morris counties. The same things happen on each court regardless of the origin of the players. Basketball is played, people meet and get to know each other, there is an occasional heated argument and mostly lots of fun happens. It is good to have adjustable hoops for younger kids when time is scheduled for them to play. MOL is really a closed community so I dont think we have a representation of the actual people who want to use the facility here but I will say that I think many of the posters have expressed themselves in ways that seem to lead to an agenda of exclusion not inclusion. Since I have been here I have seen many places where basketball courts were removed. 3rd street, Walton park, Farrell field and there may be others I dont know about. The issues are the same, basketball courts draw basketball players and that creates a problem with noise, garbage and strangers coming into the neighborhood but these are minor issues when balanced with what basketball brings a community. Basketball is fast becoming the worlds sport. A sport of great athleticism and beauty. People love to both play and watch its dance. People make contacts with other athletes and lifetime friendships are formed. As a town where diversity is supposed to be emphasized and cherished there is no greater place to see a close meshing of races and cultures. Basketball is life. Lets not have an exclusionary policy regarding the Baird courts. | ||
| CageyD Citizen Username: Cageyd Post Number: 333 Registered: 6-2003 |
For people who suggest that JTA or anyone else call the cops if bigger or rude kids use foul language when telling other, younger players to F-off what do you really think the cops can do? This is a free country and if swearing is against the law then we are all in trouble so the cops couldn't do anything about it. And, what rules are the cops going to enforce in terms of access to the courts. Are they going to whip out their summonse books and write tickets for "failure to adhere to accepted basket ball mannerss"? The police can't do much of anything if laws aren't being broken - can they. There should be a big sign installed saying that by playing on these courts players agree to XYZ. on conduct and behavior. One of these rules should be that between the hours of 5-7:30 priority goes to children 13 and under. Meaning if some 17+ year olds are playing at 4:30 and JTA's two nephews want to play, then they have the courts - to themselves because older and younger children should not play together for safety reasons. The from 7:30-9 the priority goes to older players. Then at 9:00 the courts close - lights out. | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8056 Registered: 1-2003 |
Etiquette works best for many problems. It is the first approach, in any case. The law is a blunt instrument. However, if talking to people reasonably doesn't work, the cops can come, not to enforce a law but to remind people of their civic duties. I think they call it keeping the peace. That is one of their duties. If a cop told rambunctious teenagers to tone down their language and to let others use the court, they might listen, and not just because the cops have guns on their hips. | ||
| SO1969 Citizen Username: Bklyn1969 Post Number: 65 Registered: 7-2004 |
NR - I'll accept that my comment sounds classist. Part of my reason for making that comment was to encourage people - all people - to search their hearts and minds and be honest with themselves. Ultimately you act with your wallet and your feet. Those of us in SO/MW are part of a relatively unique experience in this country - trying to create and maintain an integrated community. Throwing in comments about gated communities is a red herring. SO/MW residents either have chosen to live in an integrated community or chosen to remain in a community that has been integrated. If we wanted a "gated" or homogenous community, we could find one very easily. I think for the experiment to work people need to discuss openly their concerns and fears without being labeled racists. I haven't followed this whole thread and have no direct personal experience with competitive playground basketball at Baird. I got in plenty of fights playing sports as a kid. I'm not proposing that we don't allow kids to be kids and eliminate venues for kids to play basketball. What I thought I'd read about here - and there doesn't seem to be much argument about it - is that objectionable behavior goes beyond young kids being kids and is not limited to behavior on the court (although there seems to be a fair amount of concern about behavior on the courts). And what the resident was objecting to at the BOT meeting was these problems have been discussed in the past, but the BOT acted to increase the number of courts from 2 to 6 with little input from the public. It's not about putting up gates, it's about creating more of something that has been associated with problems without much public input and without addressing the problems that existed with only 2 courts. That was the problem I understood him expressing. What I didn't know at the time, but what I've read here is that the number of courts in town has been going down for some time. The trustee made some comments about how she was not going to allow for there to be facilities for some sports and not others and suggesting there was something racist about his comments (again, I don't deny there is a racial dimension here but as NR points out in my comments there is a class dimension as well - perhaps the more important one). I think it would have been helpful if the trustee would have recited the fact that the # of courts had gone down because to me that gives some credence to the argument that basketball has been getting less than equitable treatment. I don't think that would have changed my view that especially in these two towns with this ongoing delicate integration experiment, you need to address problems that inflame racial tensions with policies and programs and not dismiss the people that identify the problems as racists. I also don't think the solution is suggesting that mothers should be sent to the courts to lecture groups of teenagers...I don't recall being receptive to that kind of lecturing as a teenager. | ||
| Nonymous Reingold Supporter Username: Noglider Post Number: 8064 Registered: 1-2003 |
Some of us vote with our wallets and our feet, but some of us sometimes work with our belief systems, and we even make sacrifices to do what we believe is right. Adding more courts could exacerbate the problem, by attracting more of the bad behavior. Or it could relieve the problem, by reducing the contention for the courts. I suppose I misinterpreted you when you made your remark about kids playing on streets and courts. Maybe you could explain it better. It sounds like you speak for some/many/all of us in claiming that we are not comfortable with that idea. But please tell us what you really meant. I want my kids to meet kids in public, playing sports or whatever. If you don't, then there's a difference between you and me, and you don't seem to be aware of it. | ||
| Hoops Citizen Username: Hoops Post Number: 233 Registered: 10-2004 |
SO1969 - you bring up good and valid points and I would like to make a small correction. While there are 6 hoops going up, there is really only one full court. So if players are going to play the 'long way' then that will effectively eliminate players playing on the other 4 hoops. It looks to me like there could be 2 full court games going on simultaneously if the hoops on the short way are used but these acutally seem to me to be a bit too short. Other then that the facility seems to be going fine. I just hope that they put the fence back up around the courts or there will be a lot of chasing of balls into Mead street and up on the train tracks. | ||
| SO1969 Citizen Username: Bklyn1969 Post Number: 66 Registered: 7-2004 |
I was trying to be honest that I'm conscious of my surroundings when I cut thru Vailsburg on a Sat nite to get to the Garden State Parkway in a way that I'm not when I take the long way -prospect/springfield/vauxhall/78. I stick to my proposition that you vote with your feet and your wallet. Your beliefs inform those choices, but the proof is in the pudding of what you do - where you live, what schools you put your kids in, etc. As you note, some people are so committed to their beliefs they make sacrifices (take financial hits, I suppose). My point is that acting on that sacrifical belief is what matters, not holding the belief. I was suggesting that most people in SO - black and white - prefer the sense of security in SO to some of the neighboring areas, otherwise they'd save some money and live elsewhere. There are other attributes that make SO attractive, but many of those - proximity to NYC, interesting older housing stock - could be had in Orange. There are beautiful homes boardering the Montrose district. I don't see a surge of people jumping at those (relative) real estate deals. People may say "what about the schools?" I challenge them as to what is really driving the schools comment. People like this community and part of what they like is the aesthetics and part of what they like is its diversity and part of what they like is they feel there are others here who share their values and part of what they like is that in addition to all its other attributes, it is safe. I'm not saying safety is paramount; if it were, we'd all get on 78 and move further out. But the security/safety concern is real. We shouldn't let our fears govern us, but we shouldn't ignore legitimate concerns based on experience/observed behavior that, as far as I can tell, people seem to agree has been problematic. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1569 Registered: 1-2004 |
Hoops- Maybe I took your comment about my nephews 'playing with the *big boys* the wrong way. If that's the case, I'm sorry. Thanks, but I don't think either of them have aspirations of growing up to become basketball stars; they're too short. LOL They're only going into 5th grade, but they already know where they want to go to high school -Seton Hall Prep. It's one of the high schools many of the boys from their school go. I agree with your opinion they're too small to be playing competitive with teenagers, which only strengthens my concern of giving the smaller kids and less competitive players the chance to use the courts. As I said, you explained it a lot differently in a later post. But even then, if teams are 'chosen,' the younger, less talented and less vocal players, including adults, will never get on the courts. What about these players? Who decides who has the 'next game?' If there are smaller children already playing on the courts when bigger and older kids arrive, what's to stop the older kids from running the smaller ones off the courts? I understand, but do not agree, 'this is how it's always been.' I strongly believe it doesn't mean this is how it has to be here. What's wrong with having players sign up for the court time the same as they do for the tennis courts? This would give the younger, or not as strong players (such as the 40 plus year olds), the same chance to use the courts as the stronger and more competitive players. Change sometimes is good... | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1570 Registered: 1-2004 |
Brett- Now that would be extreme! LOL | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1571 Registered: 1-2004 |
Phenixrising- From the way things are sounding, my guess would be 'yes' 'no' and 'yes' If the town holds basketball clinics on this court, would that be open to all? 2. Could the town reserve the right to set-up schedules? 3. Can outside groups reserve and set-up games? Again, this was paid by your federal dollars, therefore, open to ALL. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1572 Registered: 1-2004 |
Monty- Give me a break. My nephews, have been playing with regulation height baskets since something like 1st or 2nd grade. Same with my soon to be 19 year old nephew and my 15 year old nephew (one lives elsewhere in NJ the other in Florida). As a matter of fact, my 17 year old niece has also been playing basketball since she was in elementary school on regulation height baskets. Are you saying the courts should be restricted to age? If I'm out of line with my thoughts, that's more out of line. Some kids are short for their age, some tall. I never said what happened to my nephews happens 'all the time.' I said they had problems *three* times, and it was over the course of a few years. I'm not the only one who has said something either. Someone else shared how their brother was beat up. I didn't call the police because there are more important things in this town for them to do, not because I didn't think they wouldn't do anything. I don't know where you came up with I felt the police have blown me off. The police have always been very responsive when we've had to call them! They even came once when my mom accidentally hit 911 instead of 411; despite her telling them it was an accident! How far do you live from the courts? I think you mentioned you walk your dog(s) by them every day, so I'm guessing you're in the apartments on Vose? Prehaps most of the time there are South Orange residents on the courts, I don't know. I only know what happened the three times I took my nephews there. I'm am not the only person who's complained. There are others who've told what their experiences were. Even one resident being beat up. | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1573 Registered: 1-2004 |
Brett- Another GREAT post!!! >>> Friday, July 1, 2005 - 11:35 am:<<< | ||
| Just The Aunt Supporter Username: Auntof13 Post Number: 1574 Registered: 1-2004 |
AntoninaKC If you don't like what I have to say, you don't have to read my posts. Nobody's forcing you to read them, are they? |
