Nassau County Faces Backlash On Little League Fees

Nassau County Executive Laura Curran faced a quick backlash from other local leaders after she announced this week that the county would start charging community sports groups fees to use fields and facilities.

Until now, the fees for Little Leagues and many other community sports groups had been waived by the county. The fees would generate nearly $1 million in new revenue for the county, Newsday reported, which Curran says it needs to make its budget work. But many other leaders are criticizing the county for the move.

"Nassau County’s decision to unilaterally impose over a million dollars in fees on little leagues is an affront to hard working taxpayers across Nassau County and the Town of Hempstead," said Town Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney. "Little leagues are at the very essence of community cohesion all across our nation. They bring families and neighbors together and provide young kids the opportunity to compete and make lifelong friendships – while being kept active in a healthy activity and away from drugs."

Hempstead Town officials say that charging the little leagues to use the fields just shifts the county's burden onto residents, who are most likely the ones who are really going to wind up paying the fees in the form of increased participation costs.

Some little league groups have already been charged thousands of dollars for fees — money that many of them don't have. Hempstead Town officials pointed out that it continues to waive fees for Little Leagues to use its fields and facilities.

“As a former NYPD Detective, I know firsthand the importance of providing activities for our youth as a way to stay off the streets, away from drugs and build their future," said Councilman Anthony D'Esposito. "Undercutting our little leagues in this way will only make our streets less safe in Nassau County."

Photo: Patch