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New Optimist Club forms on Marco
Club formed to consolidate youth sports, seek more facilities
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Marco Eagles Kyle Mitchusson, 10, is provided good blocking by Anthony Macchiarolo, left, and Andy Christenson, center, as he gains yards in the 90-pound game against Tamiami at the Marco Homecoming.
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A volunteer movement to consolidate sports programs and to seek additional sports facilities on Marco Island is up and running.
The Optimist Club of Marco Island was chartered less than two weeks ago after a meeting with clubs from Miami, Miami Lakes and Bonita Springs.
Tom Garousi is president of the club, with Jim Young, vice president, and Bill Hollowsky, secretary-treasurer. Directors who will serve as presidents of the sports leagues are Greg West, Marco Island Eagles Football; Andy Delgado, Cal Ripken Baseball; Kim Burke, soccer and Diane Trzyna, basketball.
The Eagles and Cal Ripken (Marco Island Baseball League) will go under the umbrella of the Optimist Club as will the new leagues.
Members of the Marco Island YMCA Board, and its executive director Cindy Love, met with the Optimist Board Thursday night to see if the new organization will affect any of its programs.
Before the meeting Love said her board wanted to hear more from the Optimist Board.
“We want to find out more information on what they plan to do,” Love said. “We have a large constituency that would want us to continue what we are doing, but obviously we want to do what is best for the community and the kids. We want to see where we might need to work together.”
The YMCA has basketball and soccer programs, while it also has a flag football program. The city started a youth basketball program in the spring to keep kids involved in the sport after the regular season.
The Optimist Club has put together a preliminary schedule for its sports teams to be reviewed by Dana Souza, director of the city’s Parks & Recreation Department.
The YMCA uses the city’s Winterberry Park for soccer and flag football. The Marco Island Eagles football teams play at the city’s Mackle Park and baseball at the city diamonds at Winterberry Park and behind Tommie Barfield Elementary School.
With renovations being done at Mackle Park, the Eagles will play their games at Winterberry Park this fall, along with the soccer program.
The Optimist’s Greg West has been urging members to go to the city’s capital and operating budget meeting at 8:30 a.m., Monday, in the community room near the police department in the city complex at 51 Bald Eagle Drive.
“We want to speak during the public comment portion,” West said. “We want to give the council our view of short and long-term needs for sports facilities on the island.”
West said that in the first baseball season more than 150 kids took part, while at least that many will play football for the Eagles this fall.
“With the success of these programs we wanted to add programs and put them all under one umbrella,” West said. “Our goal is not to offend any organizations. Our goal is to find a better way to include more of the Island’s children.”
West pointed to the Marco Island Charter Middle School’s many successful athletic programs.
“Last season the Charter School had to cut kids from the soccer teams,” he said. “We want to be an alternative. We expect that we will see 200 to 250 kids out for soccer.”
With expected success, the Optimist Club wants to make the city aware that funds will be needed to provide additional facilities.
“Dana Souza has gone out of his way to make it possible for organizations now using city facilities to operate solid programs,” West said. “Roger Raymond (Charter School athletic director) has bent over backwards to provide the gymnasium for basketball programs.”
Sousa has met with West and other organizers on their plan for youth sports and their desire to expand.
“They have shown the ability to carry out great programs with the Eagles and the very strong numbers for baseball,” he said. “I’ve have heard that parents have great satisfaction with what they have done.”
YMCA programs and other programs that use city facilities give Souza concern.
“One of the hardest parts of the job is to schedule fields,” he said. “We have active sports programs, including senior softball with great numbers that led to two leagues. With the growth of youth sports it makes me concerned about available facilities.”
He did not mention that the city also provides a men’s softball and co-ed softball leagues.
Souza deals with having to manage everyone’s desired use and at the same time maintain the facilities safely.
“We need down time, which becomes harder and hard with increased level of activity,” he said. “At the same time, I am happy to beat them to death if kids are being active instead of sitting around.”
Souza is excited about the program potential to include charter school-age students and kids at the elementary level.
“I can remember when I was in sixth and seventh grade, I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time,” he said. “Thankfully there were organizations that gave me the opportunity to develop my motor skills. I wasn’t a bad athlete and got to play because of the opportunity.”
The Optimist Board will meet at 7 p.m., Tuesday, at Garousi’s home. The board expects a savings in consolidating four sports under one organization.
The Eagles and Cal Ripken have separate boards and separate non-profit organizations. By combining the groups under one umbrella there will be just one nonprofit group.
“Right now two separate tax returns are filed and we are paying $750 per team for insurance,” West said. “Being under one organization we expect insurance for kids, coaches and volunteers will be reduced.”
What it comes down to, West thinks, is that the Optimist Club will provide a well organized service to the community.
“In the end it is all about the kids,” he said.
Comments
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Freedom of Speech:
It was about time... YMCA just wants your money and gives you no service. I pay too much and they give my child a $3.00 t-shirt. Where is the money?
The baseball league was the best ever. They did a good job as the Eagles will too. I am glad Optimist will organize every youth sport on this island.
Cindy Love - it is time to step down and don't forget you management. This is realty: You guys FAILED!
Y gets the gym at the Charter because Mr. Cindy Love is the principal there. Don’t they sleep together? Yes and they sharing more than a sandwich. Hmmm... conflict of interest... indeed.
"I would do anything for the kids" - she said. I am asking: Where were you in the last 10-15 years?
GIVE ME HOPE OPTIMIST!
#1 Posted by MarcoPolo on July 31, 2008 at 11:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Shameful!! Both of you could have made your valid points without any personal attacks on individuals. Your assumptions on what goes on in people's private lives have nothing to do with the issue.
#2 Posted by luvmarisl on August 1, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Freedom of Speech:
People’s private life become public if it effects a job and/or service specially if you are the principal of the middle school.
In this case a CEO and a Principal sharing one bed... That is how the Y gets great benefits from Charter and other groups don't?
You can see this from right or left: This is still CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
#3 Posted by MarcoPolo on August 1, 2008 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Optimist Club??? For the state Marco Island is rapidly approaching; one would expect to see a Pessimist Club on the rise.
#4 Posted by hourigan82247 on August 1, 2008 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
For one, the optomist club is on par with the YMCA, they organize rec programs. They do not provide the best avenue for sports. Marco's youth will see no better by affiliating with them. They will be better off staying independent. Sounds like the leaders of the respetive leagues are looking to pass the buck and dont want to run the leagues anymore. The football program will play inferior talent becuase it couldnt compete against the big boys and the baseball league is a minor league rec program and always will be.
They will never offer anything close to Little League or Travel ball competition.
#5 Posted by freedomofspeech1 on August 1, 2008 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with freedomofspeech1, the Optimist will never compete with Travel Ball or real competition. The kids get better by playing other areas and teams - NOT JUST MARCO KIDS. Do we really have enough local Marco kids to make up competitive teams to play each other. I don't think so, the Marco YMCA could Not put together even basketball leagues for kids 11/12 or 13/14- they did offer this program last year- but not enough kids or teams- MARCO HAS A LIMITED AMOUNT OF YOUTH FOR THESE TEAMS! Naples is a much larger area with many pools of kids to sign up and they still have problems getting enough kids to participate for local teams at the Naples Ymca and Optimist,Colier Parks,etc. I know my kids have participated both on Marco and in Naples on YMCA teams, Collier Parks and Optimist teams, all of these programs (Naples and Marco) complain about attendance and usually have to include younger ages to keep programs running. I am for supporting any new programs for our youth for Marco, I feel our local Park and Ymca does a good job,(always room for improvement) and we have our children in programs with both. The new forming Optimist,may not have enough kids to compete or make enough teams. Shame on the personal attacks of two individuals that help our community, we have a great middle school, wonderful park and the local Ymca does okay- I say make our park and Ymca better by supporting the local programs so they continue. Our kids use our Ymca and local park almost daily!
#6 Posted by 25yearsonmarco on August 3, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Maybe the comment on the two "role models" in our community was harsh but it is a fact. I just think that everyone needs to wake up and see where the balance of the island is going (already is). What we are then saying as a community we are allowing two of our biggest role models in our community to feed off of each other in facility and recreation usage and many other things. I do agree we need to help each other out but correct if I'm wrong the "Y" is a membership based program they make money (don't utilize it well) on every person that walks through that door. Really nice portables "Y", the parks in rec. I'm sure could use a couple for their program, prehaps for the expanding number of teens in the teen center. Were those gifted or borrowed? What 25 is saying is that everyone on Marco needs to go and pay for a membership in order to receive medocre youth sports programs. So by what 25 is saying the "Y" is ok is that is what we have to settle for ok. Instead of great. What we are saying is that is if you have a child with any kind of skill you should think about moving. 25, I don't think anyone said anything about our parks being not up to par, they are actually successful in that utilization of the little that they receive from the community and from our city funding. The Optimist are on the right track. They have the motivation in giving our children something great I am so tired of "OK" in youth sports!! Optimist knock my childs socks off, build thiem up and make them great.
#7 Posted by TicTac on August 4, 2008 at 8:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Shame on the person/s in the community for their harsh words concerning two individuals who have truly given so much for the community (and we are not just talking about the children).
I'm sure the gentlemen who are on the board of the optimist do not appreciate the personal bashing of these two individuals as well as the incorrect facts concerning fees, membership, the Y as a money making organization, and all the other published untruths who are working hard to collaborate with the YMCA, city, and Charter School to serve the island without duplication. The YMCA is supporting the efforts of the optimist and is working towards a long progressive relationship. These "Y" bashers (hate to tell you how many people truly love and appreciate the Y - just ask the families who receive full scholarships for aftercare, preschool, summer camp, theater and sport specialty camps... that's why the Y has fundraisers to help these families.. not pad their pockets!!!) are not community leaders; you stifle forward progression by your personal hatred. Shame on you hypocrites who state the wrong info to the public. You may have placed the Optimist Club in a negative light because unfortunately some very caring and hard working volunteers at the YMCA and Charter School have been very offended. Don't you know both organizations have governing boards which CEO's and principles abide by? Obviously not, because your intelligence exceeds below a Kindergarten student.
If you are truly looking out for the "kids" than that is what your focus needs to be...the kids and working together cooperatively. I can personally say that if you are a coach or volunteer with the optimist I would not trust my child (or my dog) with you because you have no values and you teach hate, discrimination, and lack of integrity. Think twice before you go "blogging off" on something you do not know anything about.
Correct me if I'm wrong; however our new council members have been voted to public office by preaching "unity in the community". I suggest you get on board or move your hate out of town...may I suggest some war torn country where innocent people get hurt. You should do very well there! Again, I say shame on you; how about investing some time into going into church where you will learn to love your fellow man. Way too much time is spent on hating; I'm sure your focus can be put to better use. I pity you.
#8 Posted by SuzieQ on August 4, 2008 at 1:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think you are mistaking when reading this blog... It is not about hate... however nobody mentioned the world "hate" but you. Last time I check my book of insults it stated insulting someone’s intelligence is hate. Maybe we should go to church together.
I am not a member of neither YMCA nor Optimist Club nor am I a volunteer, so you don’t have to worry about your dog. I am just a parent of four. I come from up north and the Optimist do great things. We need changes fast because the youth sport is hurting.
Cindy Love had 15 years with YMCA to proof how much she cares about kids...Did you see her in the last soccer game, me neither. Ask the CEO how many parents in the board of YMCA. I can tell you right now: zero. OK maybe, one.
.. and when they kick teenagers out because they don’t have $5.00 to pay the daily fee… WOW “we build strong kids, strong communities” Sure…
The connection between the CEO and middle school principal, is the same thing like hiring the wife of the City Manager as a police chief…Conflict of interest
Our youth sports are lacking, that pretty much the only point I am trying to make is that because the programs are not available?? No, because the Y gets by with being “ok” (Right 25). Is that because of the connections and politics on this island? Just stating the facts.
See you at Church on Sunday.
#9 Posted by MarcoPolo on August 4, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please TicTac do not speak for me, because you are obviously not hearing what I am saying. I made a point that Marco only has a LIMITED amount of children! and that the two places on Marco that cater to these kids - the Marco Y and the Local Park- do a good (decent) job (and I did say-always room for improvement). As a parent, I will support any programs for our youth and kids. Marco Optimist is an idea, I am just wondering if there was any study on the number of kids available locally for such an undertaking- I am just saying that I caution that there are enough kids on this small island (when Naples can barely get the correct enrollment numbers for teams and leagues) to make appropriate teams and challenging enough competion with just a local pool- Marco kids. I don't think that the Marco Optimist will be greater than the Park or the Y- prove me wrong- PLEASE! We take our kids to Naples (quite often) for teams because there are not programs here or enough kids to make the programs competitive. It is that simple- we live on a small island with ONE GRADE SCHOOL AND ONE MIDDLE SCHOOL. By the way, I do not have membership for my kids at the Y- we pay ala cart, as we find programs that work with our kids interest and schedule. Same at the Park- we participate as much as possible to support the local park. By forming a Marco Optimist- it will give our kids another option-if there are enough kids to make teams for competitive games from our local island. Our local park and Y will always be here and there are many families that support both, we are one of those families. Our park, Ymca, and Charter Middle School are here for all of our kids. I would like to see more programs at our local park for our kids, this is a great park and has a wonderful staff. I would also like to say that the above accusations from what I have seen do not necessary hold true- the Charter School has been opened up for the park teams, and dance teams and many other functions that do not relate to the Y. We have attended some of them with our kids. I do not see the reason to bring the Y or the Middle School into a negative mix of starting a new Optimist, unless the agenda is to utilize the school gym- which is usually made avail-by request (to the park, or Y) when not in use by the school. Perhaps the negative attacks are for this agenda. It is very wrong to attack these two individuals (I personally to not know them) and who cares about who is sleeping with who? it is so irrelevant to forming this new youth group and just good old Marco Politics! some things on Marco never change.. please be professional when forming this new youth group and keep the nasties to yourself.
#10 Posted by 25yearsonmarco on August 4, 2008 at 2:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey - MARCO POLO - lets see you do better than okay! with the local amount of island kids- one grade school, and one middle school. We have a much more limited supply of children than Naples. I will definitely support you- lets see your results. I am waiting. please do not trash our Y or Park or Middle School until you give our community results. good luck, you have all the parent's support.
#11 Posted by 25yearsonmarco on August 4, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ADAM (AKA: MARCO POLO) at least learn the English language and grammar before you SLAM others. Your websites and blogs are full of mistakes.
#12 Posted by Native2Marco on August 4, 2008 at 3:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
PAUL (AKA: Native2Marco) This is a blog not an English class... What website? Who is Adam? Do you like that name? I like Tim better:) Keep guessing...
#13 Posted by MarcoPolo on August 4, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The forming of the new Optimist Club on Marco is supposed to be for the benefit of the children. The individuals who are forming this are doing so for the benefit of the children - to be able to offer additional programming. This blog however has nothing to do with the article it is attached to. How do personal attacks on community leaders constitute anything that benefits our children? Let's face it - Marco Island has a limited supply of children which is diminishing on a daily basis during these times of economic struggle. There are already two organizations on the Island providing programming for our youth. All we are doing by adding another organization is diluting the program base. In doing this, each of these organizations will draw a number of children to their programs. Hopefully, enough for the programs to run successfully, otherwise, who are we hurting? Our children are the ones who will suffer while the adults stroke their egos.
#14 Posted by Native2Marco on August 4, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MarcoPolo - I think I'll continue to refer to you as Adam. From some of your previous posts to other blogs I have a pretty good idea that's your real name. Websites that you have created have the same errors as well as postings to other blogs having comments said in the past by your wife. When you choose to blog anonomously, you probably should be more careful.
#15 Posted by Native2Marco on August 4, 2008 at 5:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WOW! How can something so pure could turn into a bashing session? I have coached for the YMCA and I have coached in the Cal Ripkin League. I have two of the most wonderful boys that I love and adore and I would like to think that others who know them feel the same way. Being a single dad, I truely believe that "it takes a village to raise a child" and without the support of this community, I question if I would have such balanced and well behaved kids...
I dont have all of the answers nor do I claim to have many big ideas, all I know is that there are a select few people that are trying to make a difference with the youth of this city by taking time and money out of their own pockets for the benefit of ALL kids on the island! These people arent among the mass millionairs of the island- they're working class people who struggle and hustle to pay the bills. I personally thought the YMCA programs were "OK" but the expense was killing me and it seemed to lack some personal attention. Having said that, the evolution of talent in the children I was fortunate to coach in the past Cal Ripkin season was something that is enough to take my breath away! I watched children grow athletically and parents participate in something that was just a dream months prior! The Optimist concept is probably the most affordable solution for structuring our kid's childhood but I think that there is room for everyone to choose!
The bottom line is that there has to be an accomodating facility to support this concept, which is why the designation of "Track K" is so important!
Every parent who has a child participate in organized sports has seen a moment where their child has made them so proud that it brought tears to their eyes! Dont lose that feeling when discussing this topic...It really is "All About The Kids!"
Kevin Hennings
#16 Posted by KevinHennings on August 5, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Marco Island Optimist Club does not in ANY WAY support the negative comments that have been posted on the blogs and is disheartened with the personal attacks that have arisen from a recent article in the Marco Eagle. The formation of the club was not to cast blame, encourage personal attacks, or put down the efforts of so many people that have provided programs for the youth on Marco.
While some community members may have opinions as to how organizations have run themselves, making it personal does not serve the best interest of our children and is not representative of the Marco Island Optimist Club.
It is our sincere desire to unite all branches of the community to better serve the needs of our kids. We have taken steps to discuss the objective of our new club with the YMCA, Charter School, and the City. These discussions have been nothing but constructive and positive. We may not always agree on every issue, but we are working on finding common grounds. I can’t say it any better than the following;
The Optimist Club of Marco Island Creed:
Promise Yourself-
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Sincerely,
Thomas Garousi
President
Optimist Club of Marco Island
#17 Posted by MarcoOptimist on August 5, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
YMCA youth sports
sign up: $60.00 & up per child
teams: locally sponsored
coaches: volunteer
uniform: $5.00 t-shirt
$ put back into kids program: $0.00
optomist club on marco: PRICELESS
i would like to thank all of those making this happen for our children..as to the person who asked do we have enough kids for an optomist club ..i guess you missed the success of our 1st year of little league (thank you again Andy)..it is crazy how we have had to constantly leave our island for our kids to play sports...many of us know that there are kids wanting to play organized sports here on marco but are not able to (esp. 7th graders in MICMS)..i know this organization will benefit our kids in many ways...they will take their experiences with them into high school, college and adult life.. thank you again to all of you maikng this happen ..you have our total support..
the Strettons
#18 Posted by honey1223 on August 11, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
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