5K Run should be maintained as a health-related fundraiser

Dear Editor:

I have been following the discussions regarding the Babylon High School Athletic field with tremendous interest and concern. As a resident of the community, I have questions about the events that have occurred. I am a big believer in supporting your local school district with regard to academics and extra curricular programs. They go hand in hand and a responsible community recognizes this fact.

I have concerns about a turf field regarding safety, medical issues, and maintenance. Therefore, I’m not sure where I stand yet on the proposed fields. However, I am strongly against the proposed county partnership. I believe that if the people of Babylon Village want this field, they should pay for it.

In the middle of all this we have the question of where the money will come from to pay for the fields. One answer has always been fund raisers, which I support. I agree that the Babylon Turf Field Committee should organize fund raisers and continue to ask for donations.

I must, however, express my dismay that the annual Village 5K Run scheduled for October 15 has been designated to raise money for the Turf Field. For the past few years, this event raised money for Breast Cancer Research. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I wonder how many people who regularly attend this event will realize that the money is not going for Breast Cancer Research? While it has been advertised that the Run is being held to help raise money for a turf field, I believe that many people will assume that since this event has been held to raise money for Breast Cancer Research in the past, that it is for Breast Cancer Research again this year.

I’m also having a very hard time reconciling the importance of a turf field over cancer research. If the new cause had been for Autism research or some other cause to help sick people, I would not have been upset.

I believe the turf field enthusiasts have not considered all things and are being single minded. I urge them to consider all their actions very carefully and possibly discuss them outside of their close circle before advancing. They were obviously out of touch when they thought the community would embrace the county partnership. Perhaps they should have also considered holding a different fundraiser for the turf field instead of taking away from issues like cancer research.

Writers name withheld upon request