First of all your criticism of Greg Simon, athletic director at NHS seems both self-serving and misguided. Mr Simon has done an outstanding job as an athletic director. He has also maintained a very good relationship with the Parks and Recreation Department, which has the responsibility for maintaining all town and school fields. Part of that relationship is to ensure that fields are not abused by overplay or after or during inclement weather. He has done that and it has really helped to keep our school fields in very good condition.

With regard to the Hawley field, you are correct. That field is in poor condition. It is overused and played on in all types of weather. It is, however, a priority on the Parks and Recreation list of fields to be renovated. There are some significant issues to overcome since renovation would make the field unusable for up to a year or more. We will be meeting with Pop Warner to discuss resolution of some of these issues.

Larry Haskel

Chairman Parks and Recreation Commission

3 Tamarack Road, Newtown                                 December 21, 2003