I do not do politics. I am a Navy veteran. My mother taught me that my opinions mattered. Here it goes...

The sports complex aka Darrell Enfinger is such a beautiful park. Unfortunately there are lazy, litter bug trashy people that do not clean up after themselves. There is a garbage can just outside the gate of the courts. Sorry that participants were not taught common courtesy and good sportsmanship. Hence the term,”leave only your foot prints.

While I have this opportunity, I want the public to know that a lifeguard's job is to prevent accidents. These young adults have a position of high responsibility; prevention of accidents and rules are enforced. I have witnessed harassment and disrespect in the reactions to the lifeguards as they do their jobs. They work as a team, monitoring what is happening in the bathrooms, on the pool deck and in the pool. I have overheard so many complaints about the pool.

1 Wear a swimsuit, not street clothes. This helps the water because street clothes have residue in them.

2 Watch your language. This also applies to children.

3 Hold your child’s hand, especially if they have no fear of the water or are runners.

4 No running because your skin will really tear because you have been in the water.

5 Take a shower before entering the pool so the chemicals/chlorine will treat the water on your body and not get absorbed. This helps. Keep the pool clean.

6 Watch you kid, not your phone.

American Red Cross recognizes if a child is a non-swimmer (even though they have a floating device), you need to be in arm's reach.

7 Due to the public bringing alcohol in sippy cups or personalized cups, only sealed water may be brought in. It is not just adults; it’s older children trying to sneak it in. They sometimes hang out in the bathrooms.

8 No vaping or smoking.

9 No diving: In accordance with law the pool needs to be 8 feet deep for diving. This is because of head and neck accidents. The pool was built within the standards of 1990s.  You can jump off the side with toes at the end facing forward. Look before you leap.

10 Slide: A child needs to float on their back and swim across 3 feet to use the slide. That way lifeguards don’t have to make saves and hold up the line.

Remember: A child can drown in the time you take your clothes out of the dryer.