Do what has to be done

To the Editor:

A story in the paper stated that Rumford Police have been alerted to discourage activity in the street, particularly where basketball hoops are set up on the side of a street.

Rumford currently has an ordinance that makes it unlawful to play games in the street; however, the town manager has stated that there is no ordinance against the set up of basketball hoops on the streets. Common sense makes it obvious that if you are allowed to set up a basketball hoop in the street, you are most probably going to play games in the street. Why else would you set up the basketball hoop?

This approach to a potentially dangerous situation (children in the street are subject to extreme danger from vehicle traffic) reeks of a total lack of common sense. If the town officials (town manager, selectpersons, police chief, superintendent of public works) condone the placement of basketball hoops in the streets, then they are also condoning (through their lack of common sense and refusal to act) the unlawful act of playing games in the street.

Take a ride around Rumford and count the numerous basketball hoops not just on the side of a street but actually in the travel lane of a street. I suppose Rumford's officials will only insist on removal of the potential hazards after some unfortunate child is hit by a vehicle and seriously injured.

It's time for those in charge to stop trying to be "mister nice guy," put on the black hats, and do what has to be done before it's too late.

Frank Anastasio,

Rumford