I very rarely allow myself to get angry, or express anger either verbally or in print. However, the incident at Foley's Matheson Park, involving child safety, made me...livid. I felt like I had become a journalist in some Third World war zone. I felt like I'd descended into that circle of hell reserved for all forsaken children.
Mr. Brown,
My name is Bill Pocock. I'm a candidate for council in Seguin's Ward 1.
While talking with a resident this afternoon, it was mentioned to me that the Matheson Park swing set was in disrepair and has been so for months. Swings were missing, chains hanged loose. It seemed odd me that this could be the case as it is a popular Seguin park where children are taught swimming lessons in summer.
I went down to the park and took some photos (see attached). The photos document the scene at the swing set when I arrived.
Has Seguin's Ward 1 become such a hopeless ghetto that young children must risk their life in pathetic attempts to make decrepit swings sets marginally safer?
I'm going to hold off until Saturday to post my report of this incident on my website (www.oneseguin.blogspot.com). I understand that you, as Facilities Supervisor, are responsible for maintaining such municipal property as park swing sets.
To be fair, I would like to give you the opportunity to explain why the Matheson Park swing set has remained in this state of disrepair for so long. I will be happy to include your e-mail reply (if received before Saturday, Aug. 28th) in my on-line report. If you reply after Aug. 28th I will include your e-mail explanation in a follow-up report.
I just want to give you an opportunity to respond out of fairness.
I'm resisting a sort of primal, gut level anger whenever I look at the photos of the kid in danger, trying to somehow fix the swing set.
If you're not the responsible person to contact, I would appreciate if you informed me who that person is.
Bill Pocock
(click for larger image)
Hi Mr. Pocock,
Thank you for your email. I am responding to you as a resident of Seguin Township, and certainly appreciate your concern.
Unfortunately the swing set at Foley Matheson (and the beach itself) has suffered from a great deal of vandalism this summer. It is surely disappointing when acts like this occur, and we as township staff do our best to replace what is vandalized in a timely fashion.
You will be pleased to know that two weeks ago, we ordered new swings, and rings, for each of our parks and hope to have them in over the next few weeks.
Should you have concerns as a resident of our township, please feel free to contact the department of Community Services to voice your concerns.
We encourage all of our residents to have a voice in our facilities and do our best to provide a high level of service.
Sincerely,
Kelly Krist
Director of Community Services
705-732-4313
Hmm....
