Borough Recreation Program Expansion Causes Stir In Bristol

Bristol Borough’s plan to reshape recreation and sports programs in town has caused a stir.

The issue boiled over at Monday evening’s Bristol Borough Council meeting. The meeting chamber was packed with families who are part of a private sports program.

Mike Poploskie, a professional athletic director and Bristol Borough resident, was hired on a part-time basis by the borough last July. He was tasked with setting up borough-overseen and -run youth sports programs.

While the borough has helped with basketball and baseball programs in the past, the local government has not been as active as council members wanted them to be and didn’t run many programs.

Currently, there are private organizations that run youth sports programs in the borough, but Council President Ralph DiGuiseppe has said he wants more uniformity and borough involvement.

In recent weeks, the borough has moved forward with creating its recreation programs.

Members of the Bristol Wildcats youth football league have raised alarm over concerns their program was being booted from the town and fields owned by the Bristol Borough School District, which is working with the borough to run recreational programs.

Chapman said the Wildcats organization has had no problems using the football fields owned by the school district over the years. He said the program is used by more than 100 kids, most of them from Bristol Borough.

However, Chapman said the team was recently told by the school district that need to find other accommodations for the upcoming season as the field will be improved.

The field behind the high school’s main field that the Wildcats are using can get muddy and is lacking some grass cover. The school district wants to reseed the field this spring and summer.

Chapman, who has previously run for council and not been afraid to share his thoughts on borough government, has posted on social media that his athletic group was being “targeted.”

Bristol Borough East Ward Council Member Greg Pezza said there has been problems with parking and lighting used for Wildcat games.

Chapman said that was untrue and the borough hasn’t helped his league over the years.

Chapman told Pezza and DiGuiseppe his group has worked to improve safety concerns during Wildcat games.

Lt. Joe Moors, the incoming Bristol Borough police chief, said there has been numerous calls for officers over a dangerous parking situation for Wildcat games. Moors added he saw the problem himself and cars were blocking a walking path.

A member of the Wildcats program said they will resolve to fix the problems.

The council president said the borough is willing to help the Wildcats and was willing to help fund the program if they worked with the borough and opened their financial records.

“You haven’t helped us in years,” Chapman told DiGuiseppe.

Chapman said he would like the program to work with the borough and wants what is best for the kids. He said his organization already offers grants and discounts for kids whose families can’t afford to play.

The Wildcats program has also eyed expanding their offerings, like for basketball.

DiGuiseppe said Chapman’s posts on social media about the issue were “untrue” and he should have contacted the recreation board to discuss the matter.

The council president said Chapman and his group do a good job with their program.

Pezza said he thinks the Wildcats are doing a fine job, but the borough’s new recreation program wants to implement some changes for safety and have the group comply with borough financial, insurance, and staff background check reviews.

DiGuiseppe said the local government can’t help if the Wildcats won’t comply with their regulations or work with the borough recreation board. He said they will need to apply to use the fields like any other community organization.

Pezza, who appeared frustrated, said Chapman has “fired away” and made untrue statements about situation.

“We want you to be part of it, so be part of the solution,” Pezza said.

Due to the fact the school district owns the field, the Wildcats need to work with them on the field issue, DiGuiseppe said.

“The school district owns them fields. These aren’t borough fields,” DiGuiseppe stated.

The issue is set to be discussed at Thursday evening’s school board meeting.

A member of the Wildcats program told the council the borough “sees dollar signs” and that is why they want the Wildcats gone.

Pezza said that wasn’t true and the opposite of what the plan is.

DiGuiseppe said the borough-run recreation programs have so far been free to kids in town.

Luis Reyes, a resident of Glenside, Montgomery County, said he drives 35 to 40 minutes to coach the Wildcats. He said the group did his background check and kept a close eye on him until he could be trusted.

Reyes stood up for the Wildcats and Chapman.

“I do it for the kids. To be honest, I do it for Chris … I see the impact the program has on the kids,” he said.

Reyes wants the Wildcats to remain as-is and doesn’t want the borough to run it.

A Bristol Borough mother whose kids take part in Wildcats’ programs said she supports the group. She has heard both sides and doesn’t want the borough to change the program.

DiGuiseppe said they don’t want to end the program, but they want to work with them.

After listening to public comments on the matter, DiGuiseppe said he has concerns about working with Chapman because he talks negatively about borough officials on Facebook and brings politics into it.

South Ward Council Member Louis Quattrocchi said the borough wants to see the group’s books and ensure they follow borough regulations.

Quattrocchi said the Wildcats joining the borough recreation program would only benefit the group and community.

Pezza reiterated there are many benefits for the Wildcats and borough to work together.

Bristol Borough Council Vice President Betty Rodriguez said it was good to hear from so many people about the sports program. Although, she said it felt like they were “beating a dead horse” because the borough just wants to make sure everything is above board.

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