Make decision on facts, not feelings

To the editor:

Is it wrong for teens who are not drinking, doping, having sex and vandalizing property to engage in a sport that keeps them from doing these things? Do Jackson officials have documented evidence that dodgeball games are damaging the city's tennis courts? Do they have any proof that the ball used by the dodgeball players causes more damage than the balls used in tennis? Are the courts under 24-hour surveillance to ensure that everyone is not abusing the courts? Have city officials spoken to the tennis players who are present when the Jackson Underground Dodgeball League players are there? How many documented objections have officials received from the police, tennis players and general public?

Approximately 200 to 250 people would have been in Jackson spending money on food, gas and supplies and staying in motels during the dodgeball tournament that had to be canceled. Why don't we want this money? Why is the city's teen's sport more important than my teen's sport? The city is trying to ban any sport not sanctioned by the board of aldermen from using the courts. Do they know that dodgeball in Jackson has been on the leading edge of this growing nationwide sport? How much research have city officials done on the subject?

Decisions must be made on objective evidence, not subjective feelings about use of our public parks. Show me some evidence that JUDL dodgeball has been as harmful to the teens, courts and public coffers as some city officials claim.

PAM ROCHE, Jackson