This letter is in reference to the Goodrich Tennis Courts located on South Willis Street.

For years, I’ve played tennis on these courts and slowly watched them deteriorate, due to vandalism, abuse, weather and neglect. We, my partners and I, at times have cleaned up broken beer bottles, fireworks, dog manure and all kinds of food wrappers and trash. The water fountain doesn’t work, one net is missing, and the others aren’t right, the weather guard around the fence is gone , and the gates are all bent.

We are lucky to have such a facility donated to our city and should take the means to keep it up. Personally, I believe the city should take this situation to heart, bring these courts back to par and set up strict rules.

To tennis players a tennis court is to be respected as is a basketball court to a basketball player, a golf course to a golfer and a baseball field to a baseball player. There are plenty of other places to drink beer, shoot fireworks, other sports, etc.

Please take care of our tennis park and other sports areas for us and our children.

Lucien R. Hodges Jr.

Lometa