Honorable Mayor & Commissioners,
City of DeLand,
120 S. Florida Ave.,
DeLand, FLA 32720.
Subject: Name for Baseball Fields
It has come to my attention that the City of DeLand is considering naming the baseball fields for Roger Gilmore, former sports editor of the DeLand Sun-News and currently with the DeLand Beacon. It is my desire to have my views, as expressed in this letter, included in the record in lieu of a spoken presentation.
Roger Gilmore has been covering our young people’s sports success for more years than I have been breathing on this earth. Before I knew what a baseball was, Mr. Gilmore was out covering our youth and their healthy, wholesome pursuits.
I strongly endorse youth sports. While I personally favor baseball, I also would note the value of volleyball, football, soccer, tennis, track & field, golf, hockey, and basketball. These sports help our kids to develop healthy bodies, certainly, but they also teach teamwork and character. Occasionally, they even offer a financial avenue to kids who might not be able to otherwise achieve the educations they want.
During this formative time in their lives, the support of the community is very important. Recognition helps to fuel the enthusiasm of both the youngsters and the adults involved in sports. Over more years than I have been here, Roger Gilmore has been providing coverage, recognition, and that all-important encouragement to our youth.
We will never be able to know how many children grew up straight because of sports. It is hard to estimate the number of families with treasured clippings, and with children who followed the sporting avenue to education. Still, even if the numbers are hard to compute, we all know the value of family and community support, and how important Mr. Gilmore has been in this.
I can think of nothing better than to name our kids’ field of dreams after the man who inspires, assists, and covers those same dreams. It pleases me greatly that Mr. Gilmore is still here in DeLand, and it is most satisfying to think of Roger Gilmore covering baseball at Roger Gilmore field.
I heartily endorse the naming of our baseball fields, home to our most important of sports, for Roger Gilmore, our very important sportsman.
I am sure that, when the Little League board meets, they will come to you with similar advice.
Legal Mumbo-Jumbo
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P.O. Box 1208,
DeLand 32721.