TO: The Honorable Mayor Graham and The Watertown City Council:
I, Tonino J. Alteri, Commissioner of the WSSL, on behalf of the Watertown Sunday Softball League are asking the people of Watertown for support. The WSSL is currently celebrating our 44th year of existence in the city of Watertown. We are members of the Amateur Softball Association of America, we are run by an elected board of officials, we supply our own equipment, umpires, as well as insurance for the field owner. We have always paid a flat fee agreement to the city for usage of their fields. We bring around 300-400 players, family, and friends together every Sunday throughout the city, which brings business to the local stores and vendors. Our league consists of men ages 18-70 years of age, including local business owners, city employees, and hard-working TAX PAYERS. In 2007 the league fee paid to the Watertown Recreation Department was $970 total for usage of the fields. Jumping forward to 2014 we are now facing fees for use of the same fields (some of which were DONATED to the city for the purpose of recreation for Watertown residents) in upwards of $5,000, which is almost as much as the league’s entire operating cost. The city Recreation department wants to charge us a per game FEE, but not give us a per game SERVICE. We should have our fields chalked, lined, and raked after every game (like they do for girls softball), and restroom facilities for our children, families,and spectators. The distance of the base paths and pitcher mound are both under standards, which is a huge safety concern to our players. Will the increase pay for these changes that we've continued to ignore? The increase in fees is now forcing the WSSL to look elsewhere to hold our league games. Our goal is to stay in Watertown as we have for the last 44 years!!!
By signing this petition you disagree with the Watertown City Council and Recreation Departments decision to increase fees to $30/per game for the WSSL. Your signature will help keep softball in Watertown! Thank you so much for your support! FYI - On March 3, 2014 the Watertown City Council & Recreation Department agreed to a flat fee agreement for Watertown Pop Warner....WHY NOT US???
Updates
April 2, 2014
Mayor Graham and the City Council are finally feeling the heat because we refuse to let them bleed this league dry with their greedy fee hikes. This momentum proves that the people of Watertown are sick of being treated like a piggy bank for a Recreation Department that does nothing for us. We are staying loud until they back off and treat this league with the respect we have earned over forty-four years.
Reached 100 supporters
April 2, 2014
45 Comments
Watertown does not have alot of extra-curricular outside activities for people to participate in. By raising the fee so much you are taking away a much enjoyed sport to many in the area. Remember, it is a SPORT not a BUSINESS!!
my grandpa, my father and all of my uncles have always played softball. i watch them on sundays. im 16 years old and i really am looking forward to being able to play with them. ive waited my whole life to play with them and now i might not be able to play at all?
Ever heard if seasonal depression? Our winters are too long in the north country to not have something for these people to look forward to when it's over. Believe me this is what they look forward to. Some players train all year long to prepare for the Sunday league season. Take this away from them and what do they have?
I know a lot of guys that play in this league, and they really look forward to it every year. It would be a damn shame to take that away from them. Would the City rather have the fields unused on Sundays? If so, then that is a big mistake, in my opinion. Please, let common sense prevail for once, don't let this happen Mayor Graham.
What exactly is the $4000 for? The fields have to be mowed whether we use them or not. Other than keeping the fields mowed what other service does the city provide??? So why the dramatic increase? All questions that will not get answered I'm sure
Nasty knuckles rule
For the longest time we have been looking to playing softball in the city of Watertown till a couple of years now and DSTYLE BARBERSHOP FINNALLY HAS A TEAM lets keep this going.....
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TO: The Honorable Mayor Graham and The Watertown City Council:
I, Tonino J. Alteri, Commissioner of the WSSL, on behalf of the Watertown Sunday Softball League are asking the people of Watertown for support. The WSSL is currently celebrating our 44th year of existence in the city of Watertown. We are members of the Amateur Softball Association of America, we are run by an elected board of officials, we supply our own equipment, umpires, as well as insurance for the field owner. We have always paid a flat fee agreement to the city for usage of their fields. We bring around 300-400 players, family, and friends together every Sunday throughout the city, which brings business to the local stores and vendors. Our league consists of men ages 18-70 years of age, including local business owners, city employees, and hard-working TAX PAYERS. In 2007 the league fee paid to the Watertown Recreation Department was $970 total for usage of the fields. Jumping forward to 2014 we are now facing fees for use of the same fields (some of which were DONATED to the city for the purpose of recreation for Watertown residents) in upwards of $5,000, which is almost as much as the league’s entire operating cost. The city Recreation department wants to charge us a per game FEE, but not give us a per game SERVICE. We should have our fields chalked, lined, and raked after every game (like they do for girls softball), and restroom facilities for our children, families,and spectators. The distance of the base paths and pitcher mound are both under standards, which is a huge safety concern to our players. Will the increase pay for these changes that we've continued to ignore? The increase in fees is now forcing the WSSL to look elsewhere to hold our league games. Our goal is to stay in Watertown as we have for the last 44 years!!!
By signing this petition you disagree with the Watertown City Council and Recreation Departments decision to increase fees to $30/per game for the WSSL. Your signature will help keep softball in Watertown! Thank you so much for your support! FYI - On March 3, 2014 the Watertown City Council & Recreation Department agreed to a flat fee agreement for Watertown Pop Warner....WHY NOT US???
Updates
April 2, 2014
Mayor Graham and the City Council are finally feeling the heat because we refuse to let them bleed this league dry with their greedy fee hikes. This momentum proves that the people of Watertown are sick of being treated like a piggy bank for a Recreation Department that does nothing for us. We are staying loud until they back off and treat this league with the respect we have earned over forty-four years.
Reached 100 supporters
April 2, 2014
45 Comments
My husbands family has been a part of this league for 40+ years. We look forward to Sunday Softball as a family. I didn't know happiness came with a price. ⚾️
Watertown does not have alot of extra-curricular outside activities for people to participate in. By raising the fee so much you are taking away a much enjoyed sport to many in the area. Remember, it is a SPORT not a BUSINESS!!
my grandpa, my father and all of my uncles have always played softball. i watch them on sundays. im 16 years old and i really am looking forward to being able to play with them. ive waited my whole life to play with them and now i might not be able to play at all?
Ever heard if seasonal depression? Our winters are too long in the north country to not have something for these people to look forward to when it's over. Believe me this is what they look forward to. Some players train all year long to prepare for the Sunday league season. Take this away from them and what do they have?
I know a lot of guys that play in this league, and they really look forward to it every year. It would be a damn shame to take that away from them. Would the City rather have the fields unused on Sundays? If so, then that is a big mistake, in my opinion. Please, let common sense prevail for once, don't let this happen Mayor Graham.
What exactly is the $4000 for? The fields have to be mowed whether we use them or not. Other than keeping the fields mowed what other service does the city provide??? So why the dramatic increase? All questions that will not get answered I'm sure
Nasty knuckles rule
For the longest time we have been looking to playing softball in the city of Watertown till a couple of years now and DSTYLE BARBERSHOP FINNALLY HAS A TEAM lets keep this going.....
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My husbands family has been a part of this league for 40+ years. We look forward to Sunday Softball as a family. I didn't know happiness came with a price. ⚾️