Youth Sports Fields and Priorities

* Van Nuys High School Principal Russ Thompson apparently feels that grass is more important than opportunities for at-risk youth (“Playing Fields for Youth,” Letters to the Valley Edition, Sept. 20).

In explaining his reason for denying field permits to the East Valley Trojans, a community youth sports league, he ignores what these public facilities are for--use by our youth. The good Principal Thompson feels that use of the field by the Trojans is bad for the grass.

It seems to me that the funding of these programs, our youth and the ever-important grass is far more cost-effective than the funds spent on the administration of our juvenile justice system. Surely the Los Angeles Unified School District can fund the maintenance of youth recreational facilities (as well as take advantage of new technologies that could extend the life and use of the field) instead of wasting it on silly things like changing “politically incorrect” sports mascots or the tremendously bloated district administration.

At the very least, Thompson and the LAUSD could put their heads together to secure private contributions to make sure these facilities can used by both the school and groups like the Trojans, who have made long and significant contributions.

I hope the LAUSD can empower administrators like Thompson to fully serve our youth, as the community sees fit. Otherwise, I’m afraid he will be doing nothing more than playing gardener.

MICHAEL E. HIGBY

North Hollywood

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* Thompson did not include all of the facts of preventing 300 children from using the school’s football field. When Thompson decided to keep the East Valley Trojans from using a field they have played on for 33 years, he cited field over-use. The East Valley Trojans brought in a member of the Rose Bowl field crew who found problems with the watering and care of the field and offered to “cure” the field free of charge so that all could use the field. Thompson turned this offer down.

The city of Los Angeles offered to completely re-sod the field if Thompson would let these children use the field. Thompson turned this offer down.

The East Valley Trojans then asked if they could just use the practice field (not the football field) on weeknights and give up the football use on Saturday (costing the club thousands of dollars in concession losses). Thompson turned this offer down.

On Sundays the football field is used 10 to 12 hours for adult soccer leagues. Thompson refused to cancel these leagues to save the football field.

The East Valley Trojans are made up of 300 boys and girls ages 6 to 14, many of whom are at risk in our community if left alone. The next time the LAUSD asks the people of Los Angeles for more money to combat gangs or to keep children busy, ask them to check with Thompson first. He helped shut down one program that has helped children for 33 years.

BILL SPEER

Director of Publicity

Valley Youth Conference

Woodland Hills