Controversy Over Sunday Use Of City Ball Fields

The Waterbury, CT Republican-American reported Wednesday on a decision taken last month by the Watertown (CT) Parks and Recreation Commission to reinstate a prior policy that precluded the granting of permits for Sunday morning use of the city’s athletic fields by sports teams. This had been the city’s policy until last March when the Commission, under pressure from youth sports organizations, voted to allow the recreation department to issue Sunday morning permits. After clergy and residents objected to the new policy, arguing that Sunday mornings should be reserved for religious services and quality family time, the Commission reinstated its old policy. That action, in turn, has led the state chapter of American Atheists to object. Its director, Dennis Paul Himes, wrote the Commission saying that he personally felt the well-being of families and upbringing of children would be improved "by spending time in practically any activity except going to church." He urged the Commission to let individuals decide for themselves what Sunday activities they prefer.