Letters to the Editor

ON THE TENNIS COURTS

Dear Editor,

I would like to congratulate The Winthrop Sun Transcript on last week’s paper (December 8, 2016) including a news article and an editorial regarding Winthrop High School boys tennis coach Marie Finn’s efforts to keep the Wallace B. McLean Tennis Courts in use as opposed to a plan to add new parking spaces on the site.

I played on the Winthrop High School boys tennis team for three years under coach John Domenico when the former high school was new.  During tennis season, it was very convenient after classes ended to go to the boys locker room and change into my tennis gear for practice or matches against other schools at the courts across from the High School.  After the practice or matches ended, it was great to be able to shower and change so close by.

The plan to add two additional replacement courts at Ingleside Park is totally inadequate and unfair to the students.  The plan to replace the tennis courts with additional parking is shortsighted at best.

I attended a Town Council Meeting when Coach Finn, John Domenico and many others opposed the plan to remove the courts to add parking.  Many people believe there is sufficient parking available already for school needs during the day and for events at night, too.

Police Chief Delehanty spoke of the decision of the Traffic Safety Advisory Committee to advance the plan for additional parking.  With all due respect to the Chief, most citizens of the Town would not expect this body to be deliberating over the fate of the courts.

The courts at the High School should be kept and refurbished.  The addition of two more courts at Ingleside Park is not too many for the Town of Winthrop.

The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the issue at its meeting on January 3, 2017.  I urge all tennis players, parents and friends to attend the meeting to show support for retaining The Wallace B. McLean Tennis Courts across from new Winthrop Middle/High School.

Bill Schmidt

WHS Tennis Team 1967 – 1969, and still playing the game

 

THANK YOU TO  THE ELKS

Dear Editor

I would like to thank Winthrop Elks for organizing another successful WINARC Christmas Party. Speaking as a board member of WINARC and a parent of a special needs child,

I can’t begin to tell you how much Winthrop participants appreciate the fine work that they do.

This is evidenced by the smiles on the faces of our members who were up dancing to Mojo’s singing, enjoying the tasty dinner, and delighting in the gifts in their Christmas bags.

Their event provides a venue where the WINARC participants can meet their friends, socialize, and dance together during the holiday season. It also gives an opportunity for parents, guardians, and group home workers to get together and communicate. The Elks party is considered a significant event in our calendar of activities, and we all look forward to it every year.

We truly recognize the great deal of time, effort, and financial cost it takes to put on this type of event. The Elks’ committee led by Roberta DiPierro should be proud of the fine work that they do every year, and I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them.

The Elks’ WINARC Holiday Party truly captures the essence of the “Christmas Spirit.” The good will and joy that they brought to our group members and our families represents to me what Christmas is really about.

Ralph Tufo