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Cooperation needed for tennis courts

To the Editor,

The Fintons have been long-time supporters of Starvaggi Park. Years back, with financial support from Dr. Tayal, they worked tirelessly to modernize the playground area that now attracts not only a plethora of Weirton residents, but children with their parents and grandparents from Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Over the years, Weirton Parks and Recreation has been gracious to be a host of schools’ tennis and swimming teams throughout the area. No one, that I am aware of, has ever complained when the park board’s generosity has inconvenienced the general public’s use of these facilities. So when Parks and Recreation asked the previous Hancock County School Board to cede property the city had improved and used for over 50 years, namely the path from old Broadview straddling its property line to the pool, and the two abandoned tennis courts at the higher elevation, it was a slap in the face for their request to be denied. What makes the ignorance of that decision so egregious is this:

1. Weir High had tennis courts that they destroyed to replace with a building

2. Instead of replacing their own courts, they requested and were granted use of Starvaggi’s tennis courts, thus constricting even more of the public’s use

3. When the Boardview property was surveyed, and it was discovered the two old courts in disrepair were on Hancock County School property, instead of upgrading them for school use, the school board had them demolished

4. And as we are now well aware, refused to cede the property to the city, but continues to use the city’s three remaining courts for their various school practices!

That was the old school board. We now have a new board with two new members and a new president. Let’s hope this school board has the class and magnanimity to deal with Weirton’s Parks and Recreation as a partner as opposed to an adversary.

Blaise Hogan

Weirton

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