Parents Go Viral Update 3

The response to Parents Going Viral was quick. In a letter to the parents Steve Wagoner responds to their concerns:

Dear Ms Stellenwerf and concerned parents,

I share your concern and absolutely understand where you are coming from. Maintaining the complex here in town takes a lot of time and many helpful and concerned voices to keep it running as smooth as possible. First you should know that borough hires and is responsible for the daily cleaning company not the rec commission. I became the volunteer commissioner of buildings and grounds in 2007, and have been working hard to implement procedures and make improvements since the day I started. I would like to share with you what improvements have been made since 2007:

1. The cleaning contract extended from three to five days per week (six days during camp)

2. Installed new handicapped accessible stall partitions

3. Installed automatic flush valves on all toilets and urinals

4. Installed all new sinks and mirrors

5. Installed ceramic quarry tile on the floors

6. Installed timer to automatically lock doors at night

7. Epoxy painted walls

8. The recreation department has new hi performance hand driers and baby changing tables ready to be installed after exterior surveillance cameras are installed.

(Some of these improvements were made with funds provided by the Oakland Sports Association (snack stand profits) and the Recreation Trust Fund (field rental fees etc.)

A contributing factor to the current situation at the complex is that the Oakland Summer Open Camp previously held at Dogwood Hill School has been moved to the rec. complex joining the Day Camp, bringing the total campers to nearly 700.

On Monday July 13th the Rec. Commission hired Servicemaster to steam clean and completely disinfect both restrooms. I again reached out to the borough business administrator and DPW for help and am happy to say the DPW will now clean & restock the restrooms each afternoon during the camp season. Looking forward, we are exploring the possibility and hope to implement a seven day per week cleaning schedule.

I would like to thank you for sharing your concerns. It is my goal and that of each commissioner to improve every aspect of Oakland’s Recreation Programs and Complex. Feedback is one of the best ways to know what improvements are necessary, and I greatly appreciate hearing from you. The recreation department is made up of over 400 dedicated volunteers including coaches, managers, coordinators, directors, and commissioners; I would be very interested in having a proactive person such as yourself to help make our complex and recreation programs the very best they can be. Among other things we are working on a project to expand our existing playground with toddler 2-5 yr old equipment, swings and install new colored solid surface rubber ADA safety flooring, (eliminating the existing, dirty, hot, ground up rubber tire surface). Hopefully we will soon begin the grant process and would certainly welcome any fundraising efforts. We are also looking for volunteers to manage the recreation snack stand, where 100% of the profit goes back into supporting the Oakland Recreation Programs and Complex. I recognize some of the names on your list as volunteers, if you and any others would like to contribute to our volunteer efforts please contact me @ Wagoners@optonline.net. Or any of our nine commissioners @ www.oaklandrec.com again, thank you for contacting me and voicing your concerns. I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Steve Wagoner

Below is the original article:

Recreation Chairman and Commissioner of Buildings & Grounds
Oakland parents are going viral on the Internet with emails asking residents to sign a letter of complaint concerning the condition of the Rec Field bathrooms. The letter is being circulated by three organizations in Oakland, and requests that the town take action to remedy the ongoing problem. Councilman Pat Pignatelli raised concerns over the condition of the bathrooms last season, but the situation has yet to find a remedy.

The organizations in Oakland circulating the letter are comprised mostly of members with children who are regularly exposed to the unsanitary conditions. While the town council might hear one or two residents complaints in a council meeting, the email campaign may reflect the larger number of voices that find the situation intolerable.

Below is the letter being circulated. If any readers would like to attach their name to the letter, please use the comment box below and we will forward your name on.

Dear Mayor Szabo and Council Members,

This letter comes to you on behalf of the taxpaying citizens of this city with young children. Our children are involved in various recreation activities and utilize the Oakland Park and play areas. The public bathrooms at the recreations field are immensely neglected, lacking ventilation and above all filthy. The cleanliness and odor in both of the bathrooms is often so offensive that many have chosen to drive their children home rather than bring them into restroom at the field. And anyone who is forced to use the bathroom must prepare themselves for the absence of soap and paper products most of the time. This is unsanitary to say the least.

On June 11, the World Health Organization raised the pandemic alert level from Phase 5 to Phase 6 indicating that an influenza pandemic is underway. The novel influenza A (H1N1) virus now will be referred to as “pandemic H1N1 influenza virus.” * According to the Centers for Disease Control, hand washing is the simplest, most effective measure for preventing the spread of bacteria, pathogens, and viruses. How can the children and parents effectively wash hands and reduce incidences without soap and paper products? Not to mention, the state of the restrooms is an embarrassing reflection on Oakland when visiting teams come to utilize our fields.

I am aware that there have been many recent renovations done to the bathrooms since 2007. It is puzzling why in light of these much needed updates, the bathrooms would remain so neglected. I have personally witnessed an individual from the cleaning service going in to clean the bathroom, only to return 5 minutes later claiming it was all done. It is clear that during the most heavily trafficked months at the recreation field, the bathrooms should be cleaned thoroughly at the end of each day, checked and restocked midday, and evaluated randomly by an appointed person. Then, that person can report to our building and grounds commissioner, who in turn may hold those accountable for falling short of their responsibilities. The cleaning schedule should also include Saturday and Sunday. And ultimately, to avoid any further destruction to this area, perhaps the most effective solution would be the installation of surveillance cameras and better lighting outside of the bathrooms.

We fervently appeal to you, as our elected officials, for your earnest attention to this serious matter. Please initiate a more comprehensive cleaning schedule to care for our bathrooms, protect our children, and stop the spread of germs and disease. Thank you for your time and consideration. We anxiously await your response concerning this delicate matter.

Sincerely,

Concerned Parents of Oakland;

Names to follow on attached page