Braman (skater, skate dad, and good friend of STS) recently wrote a letter to the Mayor of Gonzales concerning his city’s anti-skateboarding ordinace and anti-youth stance. THis si what the Mayor wrote back (after Braman questioned the city’s actions):

Mac,The City Council passed an ordinance about five years ago prohibiting skateboarding on all City Owned properties. The reason was at that time skateboarders were riding their boards on wooden handrails, stuccoed railings and on all of our park benches completely tearing up public property and scaring people who were in the parks walking with small children. As with anything the good suffer for the few bad eggs. Their was discussion a few years ago that the Parish Recreation was looking at constructing a skate Park. You might want to push that idea with them. As you probably are unaware the City Of Gonzales takes care of all the soccer on the east side of the river,recently constructed a new pool for residents of East Ascension and maintain 10 lighted tennis courts for area residents in addition of what we do for baseball, and basketball. We feel it is time the Parish participates in this very worthwhile recreation project. Good Luck and by the way your parish government gives the City Of Donaldsonville 90,000 a year towards their recreation. 90,000 would be a good start for a new skate park in East Ascension.Good to Hear from You,

God Bless,

Coach Johnny

Braman sent a letter back that summed up the situation perfectly:

Coach,
Thanks for responding to my e-mail.
I know that some public property may have been torn up by some skaters, but it is already against the law to damage public property anyway. Banning everyone from skating seems to be extreme to me. With all do respect, people damage property, speed, drive drunk,run red lights etc., and we don’ t ban driving in the city, we punish those breaking the law.
As far as some skaters scaring kids…….. if any one(skater,football player, biker or Joe blow) messes with my kids, I am calling the police or defending my family.
I think some parents did not like the way these kids dressed and talked or did not like them hanging out, and they called and complained. I know it was an easy decision to make (banning skating), I am sure I am the only one over the age of 18 to complain about it.
I know that the city does a lot for recreation. Which why reading that in the paper last week,both puzzled me and bothered me so much. What do we do for the kids that don’t like mainstream sports?
Banning skating is not gonna keep those skaters from damaging stuff, it is gonna keep people like me and my son from skating.
I am thankful for the recreational activities we do have. As you know I have benefited from them, my son is starting to benefit from them,and I am sure my daughter will too.
Working with skaters will only benefit the city, just ask the Mayor of Hammond.
Thanks for hearing me out coach and take care
Mac
PS There is a group (local skate shop owners, skaters) working with the parish to get a skate park

We’re going to go to war on anti-skate rules and regulations… if skaters don’t fight back, they’ll just get walked on.