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November 18, 2007
Dear Parents of Children in the Plainview Little League
Many of you have received an e-mail petition which is being circulated by one or more disgruntled individuals who have compiled a list of factually erroneous, misleading and scandalous allegations. We believe that it is important for you to know that despite the unfortunate incident regarding the alleged theft of funds, our organization has been diligent in bringing this matter to the attention of the District Attorney and taking steps to recover all lost funds.
- The "catered event" referred to in the incendiary and inflammatory petition is in reality our end-of-year buffet dinner at the Plainview Holiday Inn which the league organizes for the benefit of our more than one hundred fifty volunteer managers and coaches, each of whom have volunteered countless hours for team practices and games. The cost of this annual dinner is both reasonable and appropriate and most importantly, has no impact upon the services provided by our organization. Several of the signers of this petition have in fact attended this dinner as Plainview Little League coaches, until you the parents negatively requested them as coaches and the Board after considering your requests as well as other information about these individuals, removed them from positions of authority within our
organization.
- Furthermore, participation awards are only provided to our five and six year old children in non-competitive divisions. Children seven years or older in our competitive divisions do not receive participation awards. The availability of funds has absolutely no relevance to this policy.
- The e-mail petition falsely alleges that our organization denies the public from participating at little league meetings and that we are a "secret society". Nothing could be further from the truth. Our organization has an "Open Parents Meeting" every year that is promoted through advertisements in the Penny Saver and the distribution of leaflets. Our next scheduled open meeting will be held in March 2008. Furthermore, any member of the organization, upon request, may address the Board of Directors at one of our monthly meetings. Some of the very signers of this petition have attended our public sessions and/or refused our invitation.
- Our Board of Directors is composed of a cross section of men and women from the Plainview Old Bethpage Community, some of whom have children in the little league and some of whom have children that no longer participate in the little league. The Board has a philosophy that our organization should provide quality, enjoyable and competitive baseball and softball programs for the children of our community.
- We urge everyone to be patient and allow the District Attorney to complete their investigation and let all the facts develop. We will keep the community informed as the facts become available and will be conducting a special open meeting in the near future in order to answer all of your questions and inquiries. We trust that you will rely on actual facts and common sense in evaluating the contents of the petition. Please feel free to telephone us at 516-349-0032 or write to our website at "www.plainviewbaseball.org
The Board of Directors of the Plainview Baseball Association
Steve Braccia Michael Rose
Paul Buckter Alan Rutcofsky
Pat DiPierri Debbie Sauer
Jeff Drucker Larry Shapiro
Stew Eisberg Bob Sherman
Bob Eliot Scott Stoler
Gary Feit Jim Triola
Steve Fishman David Unger
Lew Liebman David Vanderpool
Lloyd Moskowitz Garry Zweig
November 15, 2007
TO THE PLAINVIEW OLD BETHPAGE COMMUNITY
- Most of you have read news articles and/or viewed news reports involving a
theft of funds from the Plainview Baseball Association. In an effort to
dispel various rumors and misinformation which have arisen from these news
reports and articles we have decided to write this letter.
- In September, 2007 our treasurer discovered certain discrepancies with
regard to purchases for uniforms and equipment. Upon further investigation
it was discovered that for an approximately two year period dating back to
2005, various bills that had been presented were fictitious and that the
Plainview Baseball Association had been defrauded into making payments
thereon. The total amount of payments came to $38,160.29.
- These discrepancies first came to light on September 26, 2007, with internal
investigations continuing until September 30, 2007. On October 1, 2007 our
organization met with representatives of the Nassau County District
Attorney's office and filed a criminal complaint. We have recently met with
the District Attorney's office and are actively attempting to recoup the lost funds. The District Attorney's office is and will continue to investigate our complaint.
- Despite this theft of funds, our organization is financially solvent and
will continue our over fifty-year history of providing baseball and softball
programs for all children in the Plainview Old Bethpage community. None of
our baseball or softball programs will be interrupted or adversely affected
by this unfortunate incident, nor will there be any shortage of supplies or
equipment. Rumors that certain of our financial obligations such as payment
of umpire fees have been affected by this theft are completely baseless and
untrue. As we have done for over fifty years, we will continue to bring quality,
enjoyable and competitive baseball and softball programs to children of all
abilities in our community.
We look forward to your continued support and invite any comments or
inquiries that you may have to our league telephone 516-349-0032 or at inquiries@plainviewbaseball.org or registrar@plainviewbaseball.org"
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