As president of the Garden City Athletic Club (GCAC) I must defend our organization. We cannot and will not compete with the Garden City Athletic Association (GCAA). We are interested in improving the present baseball and softball programs and providing additional programs. Although we support the spirit of volunteers, we do not support inaccurate and misleading information as is printed on the GCAA website.

The GCAC has a baseball charter. The GCAA has two baseball charters but they choose to use only one, thereby eliminating opportunities for many players. Compared to the boys program, the GCAA girls program leaves much to be desired. A situation similar to the disparate treatment towards girls in the late 1960s and 1970s when GCAA refused to sponsor girls soccer. The GCAA has many good programs; however, the softball and baseball programs should be improved.

GCAC managers are trained. GCAC uses professional training organizations. GCAC performs sex offender background checks. GCAC has been battling for the privacy rights and civil rights of its youth since 1998.

GCAA "donations" were paid for by the parents of GCAA participants who have paid excessive fees for years while the GCAA bank account has increased tremendously (from 1998 to 2000, the GCAA bank account increased from $50,000 to $124,000). It is the parents who should be thanked. What is the figure in the GCAA bank account now? Why did the basketball fees increase 14 percent this season? I suggest returning excess money to the community now even though most of the residents who paid for that accumulation no longer have children in the GCAA programs.

GCAC intramural programs will offer additional interests. Our stress will be on teaching baseball and softball, not just winning the game. Twice-weekly two-hour sessions will include one hour of teaching and one hour of game play. We will sponsor tournament teams in age groups 9 through 18 to give as many players as possible the opportunity to participate in national tournaments. We are interested in developing a premier softball league for girls. Working with the new chairman of the Recreation Commission, Kevin Ocker, we are now able to develop our baseball, softball, basketball, rugby, roller hockey and indoor soccer programs for both intramural and travel opportunities.

GCAC is open to all of its members' ideas so that every parent and every child has an equal voice. We will provide for enjoyable and educational activities for all involved with an emphasis on physical education. We will spend annual fees on existing programs. We will be personally available. We will teach all of your children equally while all of them are having fun.

Anthony Colantonio

President, Garden City Athletic Club