My Commitment to Supporting Youth Sports in Oak Ridge

As your Mayor and a Town Councilman, I am committed to creating opportunities for our youth through parks, community activities, and youth sports.

Some of my fondest childhood memories are from are playing sports in town and school programs.  I was relegated to right field and the centerfielder did move much closer when a lefty came to bat.  I did get better though and learned how a team worked. It brings me joy to see today’s kids making those same memories through the work of the Oak Ridge Youth Association (ORYA). I’m deeply grateful to the leadership and volunteers of ORYA for the countless hours they dedicate to giving our children those opportunities.

There has been much discussion over the years about how the Town can best support ORYA. I am proud to have helped spearhead the most recent effort: the rebate program established this year. Its goal is simple, to directly support ORYA by reimbursing a portion of Town Park rental fees based on the number of Oak Ridge residents participating.

How the ORYA Rebate Program Works

I believe this collaboration is good for the Town, good for taxpayers, and good for ORYA. Our recent Council discussion may have made it sound more complicated than it is. Here’s the straightforward version:

• At the end of each month, ORYA pays for that month’s field usage.

• They submit a roster listing Oak Ridge residents.

• The Town then provides a rebate reimbursement, based on $70 per Oak Ridge resident, per sport, per season (or $5 per resident for camps).

• The seasonal rebate is paid out in parts, month by month, until it has been fully distributed.

An Example:

For a four-month season:

• ORYA’s rosters generate a $700 rebate.

• Their total field usage over the season is $1,000.

• Each month, ORYA pays its invoice. Shortly after, the Town issues part of the $700 rebate as reimbursement.

• By season’s end, ORYA has paid $1,000 and received $700 back, for a net cost of $300.

In some sports, depending on participation, the rebate may fully cover field costs for the season. This creates the right incentive: the more Oak Ridge residents ORYA attracts, the greater the benefit, and the more value flows back to our families.

Why This Matters

• Everyone sees the real cost. ORYA pays for fields like any other group. The rebate clearly shows the Town’s investment in our families.

• It avoids confusion. Monthly invoices, payments, and reimbursements leave a clear record that’s easy to follow.

• It’s flexible. If participation or the Oak Ridge/non-resident mix changes, the rebate can be adjusted fairly each season.

• It highlights Town support. A “credit account” approach would hide both the real cost and the Town’s contribution. Paying first, then reimbursing, keeps the process transparent.

There has been some misunderstanding of this program, with claims that it’s unfair to ORYA. The truth is the opposite: this program is designed to support ORYA’s mission and our kids. It protects taxpayers, ensures consistency across all users, and gives ORYA a rebate tied directly to the number of Oak Ridge children playing. That’s not burdensome, that’s transparent, accountable, and fair.

👉 Bottom line: This isn’t a credit system. ORYA pays first, then gets reimbursed. That way, the true value of the fields, and the Town’s support for our kids, is clear to everyone, while also rewarding ORYA for engaging more Oak Ridge residents.

Let me be clear: I am proud of ORYA, committed to supporting their work, and confident in the mission they carry out for our children. My hope is simple: when ORYA flourishes, our children flourish, and so does Oak Ridge. Together, we’re building the foundation for the next generation of memories.