I’m upset that this email has to be a solemn one. All of the kickball leagues that play at Walter Pierce Park received the email below from the ANC Vice-Chair.

Not only has she received numerous complaints about alcohol consumption at the park (which isn’t allowed) but also there have been complaints about racist comments made to the basketball players.

If complaints of this nature continue, we could lose our field permits and be unable to complete the season (or not even receive field permits in the future).

Please be kind to the other users of the park. Don’t bring alcohol to the fields; I don’t want to be the bad guy who has to confiscate and dispose of alcohol in the park.

—-—- Forwarded message —-—-
From: Mindy Moretti
Date: May 30, 2007 7:28 AM
Subject: Problems with kickball at Pierce Park

It’s come to my attention from several people who frequent Walter Pierce Park on a daily basis with their children, dogs or to play basketball say that the “kickballers” are once again drinking alcohol in the park.

I’ve not personally witnessed it myself, but enough different people who have no connection to each other have approached me about this that I’m inclined to believe it’s true. Also, I have no idea which night this is happening so I don’t know if it’s a WAKA or a DCKickball problem or both, so that’s why I’m emailing both groups.

I would ask you to please remind your members that it is against the law to drink in public parks and that they are just as obligated to obey the laws of D.C. as anyone else is.

While the drinking definitely disturbs me, what troubles me most is that a couple of the basketball players have told me they have been the recipients of comments from the folks playing kickball that can only be seen as racist. This will absolutely, positively not be tolerated.

I’ve not said anything to anyone at DPR or MPD about the drinking or the racial comments because I would hope that we could all work together to make sure this stops and stops immediately.

Thanks,
Mindy

Mindy Moretti
ANC1C Vice Chair
Commissioner, ANC1C04