Payson Roundup

patrandall (Pat Randall) says…

In letters to the editor was another letter from a teen complaining there is nothing to do.
My answer at the bottom of her letter was.

There is plenty for kids to do in Payson and some have closed down from lack of interest.
Goofy Golf, Batting range, and the teen center on 87 are three that have closed.
There is still bowling, movies, ball fields, tennis courts and on and on. Get up from the computer and look around.
It is not the job of citizens in Payson to pay more taxes to the town to entertain or keep teenagers out of trouble. It is the parents job to train you kids how to act and respect other peoples property.
You were not put on earth to be pampered !

DanVarnes (Dan Varnes) says…

Who are the adults that think they're doing something valuable when they persuade these kids to write all these “I WANT” letters? Parents? Teachers? Stop it, whoever you are.

Instead of kids writing, how about kids reading this great letter from Sue Dolan?

http://www.paysonroundup.com/news/201…

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Editor:

Many years ago in a small California town of 3,000, the local teens were bored (justifiably so) out of their minds. They went to the town council and asked for a youth center. A place to gather, dance, laugh.

Not a problem, the council said. Except, “You kids have to do it. The town doesn’t have the money.”

A great teacher mentored them. He had them knock on every door in town and have a petition signed for a youth center.

The feet got blisters. They wore out shoes, but they did it. They got the required signatures.

The town council said “OK. Now you need land and a building. Go get it.” (The council was not being mean. They did not have the money.)

The local newspaper continued the story. Miracles began to happen. Someone’s parents put it all together.

It took nearly two years, but they had a youth center.

It had a soda bar. It had a big dance floor. It had tables. It had pingpong tables. It was wonderful. Teens paid 25 cents to get in, and that money stocked the soda bar. There was a jukebox.

Wednesday night ended at nine. Friday and Saturday nights were fun, exciting. Once a month, small local “wanna be” bands played. And, they were good.

It was “Fonzie’s Place.” They flirted, they danced, life-long friendships were formed, teen problems were solved, futures planned, ideas shared. They were teens.

The rules were tight. Only their high school and junior high students were admitted. No one from other schools, no one over 18 unless a student at their school.

Identification was checked at the door by an adult parent volunteer. No one was allowed to leave and come back in. No one allowed to hang out in the parking lot. These were good rules and eliminated problems.

Parents got involved. It was a successful community effort in the end.

Sometimes young people have to take charge. I’ll bet you and your friends could get a youth center built. It was a lot of hard work, and yes, it was worth it.

Go for it and good luck.

Sue Dolan