I read the fine letter from Ms. Jamie Duman, President of the American Legion Baseball Association, and disagree with one point only. Ms. Duman and Dennis Spencer do not owe an apology to myself nor any other member of American Legion Kootenai Post 14. We, as officers and members of Post 14, have worked closely with both Duman, Spencer and the other board members of that association. I believe we all have the same goal in mind: not losing the baseball field, but if that is to be we need a dedicated location for all future American Legion Baseball. If anyone had or has the impression I was upset with Dennis Spencer or Jamie Duman, I do apologize; as in no way do I hold either of them in anything but the highest regard and admire their dedication to Legion Baseball.

Yes, I did state and still feel that Mayor Bloem and the City Council did lack the courtesy to contact one of us from Post 14 when the 21 members of Team McEuen were selected. Mayor Bloem did apologize to us when she came to the Legion to address our questions about losing McEuen Field and the Third Street Boat Launch. This was long after the dream team was formed and the design team came forward with their suggestions for a very expensive upgrade of the complete park.

I felt that the mayor's apology came only after their excuse of not realizing the Legion and Legion Baseball were two totally different associations would no longer fly. I and the other Legionnaires and association members present at that meeting did accept her apology and it should die there.

Now we need to move forward: find and dedicate a location suitable for all future Legion Baseball and not use the High School Fields as a substitute. This is not a realistic solution to the problem.

I feel very strongly that this expensive dream to spruce up the complete park must be voted upon by residents of the city of Coeur d'Alene and not be just for the City Council to decide. I know they feel that LCDC has deep pockets with funds available but LCDC and council seem to forget that these funds are from taxpayers, not just some magic fund to be utilized by these few individuals who think they have the authority to spend these funds as they wish.

DUSTY RHOADS

Post 14 Adjutant