Fire Harvey Price

Thank you Suzi. It does appear that I am in the minority with my experiences. I'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. I'm certainly saddened to hear all the negative interactions that people have had with Harvey. Our children should be treated fairly.

A bully approach isn't what our community needs! It's not what you say, but rather how you say it. His approach is demeaning and to abrasive for our young community members. He should rethink his position in our town and instead of being against our youth, be FOR our youth. We as adults are leading by example and I certainly don't what that condescending behavior be it.

Strong work Suzi! Supporting you from Massachsetts!

He is very hard to get along with. I worked with him for a while and was not impressed. We need someone who is caring and fair with our youth. The comments on here verify to me that I am not the only one who feels this way.

I tried signing my son up for football several years ago and tried to contact him, his response was beryl delayed and when I did actually get one it was wayyyyy past the sign up date and was unable to do so. That has been the only interaction I have ever had with him personally, I have heard some positive things about him but more negative than I should have to. I have been actively involved with a youth sports program for almost 10 years and this is NO way to treat hard working parents or children. Good luck!

I have yet to deal with this man. Thankfully my daughter isn't yet old enough to participate in rec activities but I've heard numerous complaints about this man from close friends and relatives.

Thought we were the only ones!

It just keeps getting better the more my friends call me to discuss this... The irony is thick here - apparently before Harvey "hires" any VOLUNTEER coaches he has a background check done (which clearly is a good idea if you're choosing who will be responsible and alone with children), and one of the disqualifiers is a DUI... Guess who has a DUI...

And MANY parents made MANY requests over the years to start programs for the younger children to absolutely no avail... there is a parent in the community (actually a few 2) who predicted the emergence of these programs when Harvey's son came of age. If anything, Harvey is consistent. And predictable. And incredibly self-serving. But this isn't new... there have been numerous complaints over the years about his abuse, his discrimination, his inexcusable and inappropriate behavior, his DUI... but NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE! Time to step up, speak up and take action, folks.

I guess if you won the parental lottery and were lucky enough to have a boy, who is also the same age as his son, and you are able to afford internet service so you can sign up online (apparently written applications at the town office aren't accepted?!), you'll have a pretty good variety of opportunities...

As I talk to more of my friends about this, another nugget has been uncovered... There is a direct correlation between youth programs being added and his own son's age and desire to participate. Apparently, kindergarten basketball was created when his son started, you guessed it, kindergarten, and 2nd & 3rd grade football magically appeared when his son went into the 2nd grade... Pretty obvious what this guys priorities are...

I attended one of my granddaughters basketball games at the middle school last season....during a break in the game...a young woman and her caregiver were trying to exit the gym area. The caregiver was clearly trying to guide the young woman to the proper path to exit. I witnessed this Mr. Harvey Price holler from across the room several times for this woman to "get off the floor!" Her caregiver tried to explain she was trying to help this now "over whelmed" young lady to exit the gym....Mr. Harvey Price made no effort to go speak to these women..he simply continued to holler until they exited out of the gym! This was all in front of a gym full of adults, children and 2 basketball teams!! Is this how we teach children to handle situations for Resolve? I was totally dumbfounded and outraged at his Behavior! We teach our children to "Say No to Bullying".....and this man is supposed to be their role model??? No thank you!

how dare you stifle creativity Harvey Price

Mission statement for Naples Recreation... It is the mission of the Naples Recreation Department to create recreational opportunities for growth and enhancement by developing diverse services and programs that promote citizen involvement and a strong sense of community while striving to increase the social, cultural, and physical well-being of its residents and visitors of all ages. ...Odd, nowhere did I see "promote deadlines" or "encourage exclusion" in the mission. In fact, it's specifically states "create opportunities" and "promote involvement"... Probably should either change the mission, or their priorities, so they more closely reflect each other.

If all safety protocols (when necessary) are taken, and no damage has been reported from these activities, I see no problems with letting people play.

Good luck

I'd like to add one comment regarding sign up & deadlines. I asked my husband who coached for 11 years at the Windham middle school if there were deadlines to activities. His response was 'no not really we wanted all kids to participate'. The more kids the better the team & the better outcome for kids to stay out of trouble. So YES they accepted kids AFTER deadlines!! So who in the LR school is getting hurt by turning a child away 1 hour, 1 day or even 1 week late in signing up!! The school gets the money, the child gets to play & the coach it appears in this situation has his nose bent!! Harvey you need to learn how to work with the public! I've seen you use inappropriate language in front of children this is NOT acceptable!!

The negative comments concerning his lack of professionalism are open and honest concerns raised by people who want to encourage their children to be physically active and to be involved in the community. My daughter is a single parent who was in an out of town hospital being operated on when the situation arose for our grand daughter to play soccer. Unable to get to sign the paper or get online in time due to emergency surgery, we approached the director to let us help our grand daughter get the opportunity to play. In times like this, it should have been understanding and compassion employed in these circumstances. My grand daughter showed up because the coach said there was room on the team and he had compassion on her situation. When we showed up for that first practice our then young impressionable little grand daughter was turned away by the director. She was so hurt and we could not believe it ourselves. This is one of many stories of inappropriate responses to tender and difficult situations. His position is one which should encourage all youth and families to participate whenever possible in situations. People with vouchers, yes. People who have special needs, Yes. People with special circumstances yes, And yes there are those who may not sign up on time due to certain circumstances, but overall its his lack of care or understanding for others that is the biggest concern. My grand daughter never forgot that experience. It may be his livelihood but he answers inevitably to the taxpayers and those he serves. He needs to show respect to ALL and not expect respect if he is not himself willing to show it himself to those he serves. There are many many out there who have had negative interactions with him. Our goal is to bring it to the town's attention and see if something changes. If not, the people who pay for these services and his paycheck have a right to have their voice heard. I am hoping that good will come from this all for everyone involved. I

Harvey Price is a Bully bottom line! I have only seen this man once and believe me....it was more then enough for me! While attending my niece's basketball game at the middle school last season, I witnessed Mr. Harvey begin shouting repeatedly to a young woman who got up and walked across the lower section of the court during a time out in the game. She seemed a bit overwhelmed and I was aware that she had some developmental problems. Harvey was informed by her caregiver that she was trying to help her exit the gym area. Harvey continued yelling at the young lady and her caregiver regardless until the two of them made it out the exit. Many of the spectators, including myself and some of the young players, voiced their discuss with the situation. Being a mom of a young lady with special needs myself I was quite frankly pissed at the treatment of these two by Harvey. I did indeed attempt within a couple of days after to make contact with the town mayor. I must have tried three times during that week. each at different times. All I ever got was the voicemail, Never received a call back. So someone explain to me and the others on this petition...How are we suppose to teach our children that bullying is hurtful, when they see a grown older man who most are taught to respect, acting in that very same manner? This isn't "Leading by example" and should not be allowed to continue. Especially while working with our kiddos. Time for Mr. Harvey Price to be replaced!

For the perspective of someone who has been in the same position as Mr. Price, please see Larry Dyer's comment just below. If you're priority is deadlines instead of community service, or you look for reasons to exclude children instead of finding any possible way to include them, then you are in the wrong line work as a Rec Director.