I am writing this letter, because it is very appalling to me that the district judge, juvenile court, the district attorney’s office, the Concordia Parish Police Jury and the Concordia Parish School Board have not stepped up to the plate and help rebuild the Ferriday swimming pool for the children.

Every one of the above mentioned agencies have preyed on the federal government and state agencies to sponsor juvenile programs.

Someone is missing the boat somewhere. The Town of Ferriday’s council put together the Ferriday pool for the purpose of providing recreational facilities during the summer months for the children. Also, we have provided the Florida Street Gym during school and summer months to give the children of this community something to do.

Both facilities are funded through the Town of Ferriday and not Recreation District No. 1. The juvenile crime rates have decreased tremendously since the pool has been in operation.

It is the responsibility of all of the organizations of this parish to help deter juvenile crime and provide proper facilities to handle recreation for our children.

Again, I ask all these agencies to join in with the Town of Ferriday to find out how we can rebuild a spirit of love and a spirit of cooperation for our community.

I also ask this community to come together for the sake of the children and attend the police jury meetings and the Recreation District No. 1 meetings and ask them where our tax dollars are going and why they are so against providing recreation for this community.

For the Recreation District No. 1 and the police jury members in District 1, if there is a problem at the swimming pool, then let’s fix it.

Gene Allen

Ferriday mayor