Hawthorne grapples with parks and recreation

Volunteers locked out 

Recreation was center stage at Hawthorne’s commission meeting Tuesday as parents, volunteers and residents packed the chambers at City Hall to take issue with City Manager Ed Smyth’s treatment of volunteers during the weekend of Nov. 6.

In preparation for a county-wide soccer tournament to be held in Hawthorne, volunteers of Hawthorne Youth Sports (HYS) painted lines and performed maintenance on the city’s recreation fields. As sunlight began fading, volunteers reportedly called City Manager Ed Smyth to have the lights turned on at the fields. But after several calls to Smyth, the volunteers say they were told the lights could not be turned on due to financial reasons.

Heather Surrency, a member of HYS, reportedly went to City Hall to retrieve keys to the lights, but Smyth took them from her. Volunteers claim that Smyth told them the soccer tournament may have to be cancelled if the work on the fields was not finished.

Eventually, someone cut the locks although the identity of that person was not revealed. The soccer tournament went on as planned.

During the meeting, residents asked Smyth why the lights could not be turned on, and several residents addressed the commission asking for more cooperation.

“I implore you to do everything in your power to make it easier for volunteers,” said Cheryl Elmore.

In response, the commission unanimously voted not to take any action against the individual who cut the locks, and agreed to meet later to work on a contract with HYS.

Heather Surrency provided a presentation outlining the benefits of HYS and volunteers in general. She said that volunteers believed there was a mutual understanding that HYS would manage programming while the city maintained the grounds.

“The city manager wants us to pay to volunteer,” Surrency said. “He wants to charge volunteers to pay for the use of the fields.”

Commissioner Matthew Surrency said he wanted the city to officially recognize HYS as the programmer for youth sports and eventually get a written agreement with the group.

Surrency suggested that Parks and Recreation Manager Samuel Wynkoop be on the HYS board, but focused on aspects other than programming.

“We need to stretch our abilities,” he said.

Heather Surrency estimated that the city saved about $22,000 per year by utilizing the HYS.

She was also concerned that both HYS and the city scheduled a basketball league, potentially dividing the city.  But not everyone agreed with Surrency and HYS.

Wayne Thomas, a member of the Parks and Recreation advisory board, advocated for the city manager. He expressed concerns over HYS and inclusion of a cross-section of the community, mentioning that no African-Americans were on the HYS board.

“The main issue we’re having tonight is communication and inclusion,” Thomas said.

Hal Brady, Alachua Recreation Director, came to the meeting to stress the importance of volunteers within the parks and recreation department. He was impressed by the amount of support the department was receiving.

“For a very small town, you have a great group,” Brady said.

The commission decided that for the time being they would suspend the city basketball league and give HYS full control over basketball programming. Concerning other sports and a more formalized agreement between the city and HYS, the commission decided that a special meeting would need to be scheduled to cover the details.

Many of the parents and volunteers attending the meeting said they hoped the issue doesn’t get swept under the rug.

“I think we deserve some attention,” Linda Raye, a parent volunteer said.