JoeyAria
Bronze member
On November 29, 2008 Joey Aria, Imoh Ekasi-otu, and their friend Tyler were banned from Catoctin Skatepark in Leesburg, Virginia by police officers and a STAFF worker for no reason other then out of hatred for freestyle scootering, the color of Imoh Ekasi-otu's skin, and/or Team NBF. That STAFF worker was under the influence of drugs, didn't feel that he gets paid enough to work there, got dumped by his girlfriend, and/or just was in an extremely bad mood. Who knows what his problem was. Read the story and you decide what happened.
Team NBF is working to not only form an alliance between skateboarders and scooter riders, but also between anyone who does acts of hatred against the two sports.
This is the email conversation between Team NBF and Leesburg Parks and Recreation, which explains everything if you want to hear the whole story:
ââ??â?? From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 8:18 PM
To: Greg Anselene
Subject: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Greg Anselene,
Today (November 29, 2008) two members of my action sports team traveled more then an hour to go to Catoctin Skatepark in Leesburg , Virginia with a friend. When they finally reached the skatepark they were excited to film for our new team video and test out Catoctin Skatepark before pursuing plans to organize a major competition at the park soon.
As two of our riders entered the skatepark with their friend, the man working for STAFF at Catoctin Skatepark yelled "NO SCOOTERS ALOUD!". Only one of those three people was riding a scooter in the park. Not knowing that scooters aren't aloud in the skatepark after seeing pictures online of people riding scooters in the park, talking to friends who have rode scooters in the park, realizing that bikes, roller blades, and skateboards are not banned from the park, seeing no mention that scootering is banned from the park when reading the skatepark rules on the city of Leesburg website a long with several other websites, and calling the Catoctin Skatepark office countless times but getting no answer, Joey Aria very willingly and politely left after the statement that was made from the man working for STAFF. Though Joey Aria was disappointed because he couldn't scooter he didn't want to cause trouble, so he just stood outside of the skatepark fence and watched his friends skateboard.
Soon after that, their friend asked the man working for STAFF if there are any restrooms around the area. The man told him that there is a porter potty out back before calling all three of them "smart asses" and demanding them all to leave.
Then Joey borrowed his friend's skateboard, after watching his friend�s ride from behind the fence for a long time, so that he would be allowed to ride in the skatepark. Soon after that the man working in the little white office in front of the park called the police. The police arrived and demanded all three of them to leave the skatepark with no warnings, compromise, understanding, flexibility, or willingness to ask what happened. Joey Aria asked the police if they would tell them what rule they broke so that they wouldn't unknowingly brake it in the future and be demanded by STAFF and police officers to leave again. The man working for STAFF told them that they know that they're not aloud to scooter.
After hearing that they were all surprised because only one person was told that he can't ride a scooter in the park and he stopped right after that. The other two were skateboarding.
Its a disappointment to hear that a public skatepark that allows bikes, roller blades, and skateboards, doesn't allow scooters, but that is not why I am sending this email. I am sending this email because I'm offended by the actions made by your STAFF worker because he called two of my team riders and their close friend "smart asses" and demanded that they leave the park for no reason. It was not necessary to call 4 police officers to remove three kids from the skatepark when they weren't breaking any rules.
We all hope that you will remove this STAFF member, because of his personal attacks against our team members and their friend which were very offensive, his lack to follow the Catoctin Skatepark rules which say that foul language is not allowed, and his lack to answer the office phone because he's to busy listening to the radio and doing other things that are more important then doing his job that you pay him to do. Team NBF, parents, family members, and friends do not plan to take legal action if this problem is resolved.
Other then that, we love the skatepark you have put together for the community. It is one of the few decent skateparks that has lights and doesn't charge a session fee. We are proud of the work that you have done to get together and provide for bikers, roller bladers, and skateboarders. We look forward to seeing a change in the STAFF workers and the banning of freestyle scootering. Thank you for your time and care to read this email.
Sincerely,
Team NBF
Co-Owner
Skateboarding Team Manager
Nathan Chapman
ââ??â?? From: Greg Anselene
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 1:50 PM
To: George Fatseas; William Ference
Subject: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
George and Bill,
I received this complaint regarding the skate park and an incident there.
Greg
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Gregg Tonge" <GTonge@leesburgva.gov>, "George Fatseas" <GFatseas@leesburgva.gov>
Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 2:47 PM
Dear Nathan,
Gregg Anselene forwarded your email to me. I will check with the employee who worked on Saturday to get his take on what occurred. I would be surprised if the employee called the police without reasonable cause, but we need to investigate further to see exactly what happened. It is true that scooters are not allowed in the skatepark. If the employees� reaction was unwarranted, or the rules & enforcement are unclear, we will do what is necessary to correct that. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone (703) 737 7143 so that we may discuss this further.
ââ??â?? Bill Ference
From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 12:13 PM
To: William Ference
Subject: Re: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Thank you for your concern. Please email me after you have talked to the STAFF worker and police officers who were part of the incident on Saturday.
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 3:47 PM
Dear Nathan,
I spoke with the staff person on duty regarding the incident on November 29th. It appears to me that he acted according to his assigned responsibility by asking patrons who were violating park rules to leave the premises. The ââ?¬Å?no scootersââ?¬Â rule is clearly posted on the rules sign. It is our policy at Catoctin Skatepark that when patrons repeatedly refuse to follow the directions of the staff person on duty, the staff person has the option to contact the police. You and members of your group are welcome back at the skatepark at any time, but I would ask that you respect the operating rules that the town has established for this facility. You are welcome to contact me by phone or in person if you wish to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Bill Ference, Assistant Director for Parks.
ââ??â?? From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:22 PM
To: William Ference
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Leesburg Parks and Recreation,
Thank you for your response. Joey mistakenly didn't look at the sign before scootering, but he stopped right after the STAFF worker told him that scootering is not permitted. In fact, he left the skatepark area a long with his scooter and back pack within seconds. I think it�s clear that Joey broke one simple rule unknowingly and then he stopped and respectfully left the area right after he was told by the STAFF worker that scootering is not permitted. It wasn't until he skateboarded in the skatepark when the STAFF worker called the police. Even when Joey did that he still left his scooter outside of the skatepark, because he didn�t want to cause any trouble or confusion. I don't think that the STAFF worker calling Joey, Imoh, and Tyler "smart asses" after Tyler politely asked about where he can find a restroom, calling the police, and banning ALL THREE OF THEM from the skatepark was necessary. Tyler only spoke to the man and Imoh only skateboarded until the police told him to leave with the others. I have no clue who your staff worker is, but it should be clear that he�s not doing his job and that he takes out his anger on skatepark visitors. I�m disappointed in the lack of respect that he has for non-locals, failure to answer the office phone, failure to handle situations properly, and failure to follow the simple Catoctin Skatepark rule of decency which says that foul language is not permitted. We hope that you will find another staff worker so that we can avoid simple problems like these in the future. Though I don�t expect a reply to this email, I expect you to find another STAFF worker who can do the job that you pay them to do.
Sincerely,
Team NBF
Co-Owner
Nathan Chapman
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Gregg Tonge" <GTonge@leesburgva.gov>, "George Fatseas" <GFatseas@leesburgva.gov>
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008, 3:31 PM
Your reply has been noted and the staff person has been spoken to about ensuring that he uses proper language at all times. Hopefully this will conclude this issue and you can enjoy future trips to the skatepark
Bill Ference
Team NBF is working to not only form an alliance between skateboarders and scooter riders, but also between anyone who does acts of hatred against the two sports.
This is the email conversation between Team NBF and Leesburg Parks and Recreation, which explains everything if you want to hear the whole story:
ââ??â?? From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 29, 2008 8:18 PM
To: Greg Anselene
Subject: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Greg Anselene,
Today (November 29, 2008) two members of my action sports team traveled more then an hour to go to Catoctin Skatepark in Leesburg , Virginia with a friend. When they finally reached the skatepark they were excited to film for our new team video and test out Catoctin Skatepark before pursuing plans to organize a major competition at the park soon.
As two of our riders entered the skatepark with their friend, the man working for STAFF at Catoctin Skatepark yelled "NO SCOOTERS ALOUD!". Only one of those three people was riding a scooter in the park. Not knowing that scooters aren't aloud in the skatepark after seeing pictures online of people riding scooters in the park, talking to friends who have rode scooters in the park, realizing that bikes, roller blades, and skateboards are not banned from the park, seeing no mention that scootering is banned from the park when reading the skatepark rules on the city of Leesburg website a long with several other websites, and calling the Catoctin Skatepark office countless times but getting no answer, Joey Aria very willingly and politely left after the statement that was made from the man working for STAFF. Though Joey Aria was disappointed because he couldn't scooter he didn't want to cause trouble, so he just stood outside of the skatepark fence and watched his friends skateboard.
Soon after that, their friend asked the man working for STAFF if there are any restrooms around the area. The man told him that there is a porter potty out back before calling all three of them "smart asses" and demanding them all to leave.
Then Joey borrowed his friend's skateboard, after watching his friend�s ride from behind the fence for a long time, so that he would be allowed to ride in the skatepark. Soon after that the man working in the little white office in front of the park called the police. The police arrived and demanded all three of them to leave the skatepark with no warnings, compromise, understanding, flexibility, or willingness to ask what happened. Joey Aria asked the police if they would tell them what rule they broke so that they wouldn't unknowingly brake it in the future and be demanded by STAFF and police officers to leave again. The man working for STAFF told them that they know that they're not aloud to scooter.
After hearing that they were all surprised because only one person was told that he can't ride a scooter in the park and he stopped right after that. The other two were skateboarding.
Its a disappointment to hear that a public skatepark that allows bikes, roller blades, and skateboards, doesn't allow scooters, but that is not why I am sending this email. I am sending this email because I'm offended by the actions made by your STAFF worker because he called two of my team riders and their close friend "smart asses" and demanded that they leave the park for no reason. It was not necessary to call 4 police officers to remove three kids from the skatepark when they weren't breaking any rules.
We all hope that you will remove this STAFF member, because of his personal attacks against our team members and their friend which were very offensive, his lack to follow the Catoctin Skatepark rules which say that foul language is not allowed, and his lack to answer the office phone because he's to busy listening to the radio and doing other things that are more important then doing his job that you pay him to do. Team NBF, parents, family members, and friends do not plan to take legal action if this problem is resolved.
Other then that, we love the skatepark you have put together for the community. It is one of the few decent skateparks that has lights and doesn't charge a session fee. We are proud of the work that you have done to get together and provide for bikers, roller bladers, and skateboarders. We look forward to seeing a change in the STAFF workers and the banning of freestyle scootering. Thank you for your time and care to read this email.
Sincerely,
Team NBF
Co-Owner
Skateboarding Team Manager
Nathan Chapman
ââ??â?? From: Greg Anselene
Sent: Monday, December 01, 2008 1:50 PM
To: George Fatseas; William Ference
Subject: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
George and Bill,
I received this complaint regarding the skate park and an incident there.
Greg
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Gregg Tonge" <GTonge@leesburgva.gov>, "George Fatseas" <GFatseas@leesburgva.gov>
Date: Monday, December 1, 2008, 2:47 PM
Dear Nathan,
Gregg Anselene forwarded your email to me. I will check with the employee who worked on Saturday to get his take on what occurred. I would be surprised if the employee called the police without reasonable cause, but we need to investigate further to see exactly what happened. It is true that scooters are not allowed in the skatepark. If the employees� reaction was unwarranted, or the rules & enforcement are unclear, we will do what is necessary to correct that. Please feel free to contact me by email or phone (703) 737 7143 so that we may discuss this further.
ââ??â?? Bill Ference
From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 02, 2008 12:13 PM
To: William Ference
Subject: Re: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Thank you for your concern. Please email me after you have talked to the STAFF worker and police officers who were part of the incident on Saturday.
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, December 4, 2008, 3:47 PM
Dear Nathan,
I spoke with the staff person on duty regarding the incident on November 29th. It appears to me that he acted according to his assigned responsibility by asking patrons who were violating park rules to leave the premises. The ââ?¬Å?no scootersââ?¬Â rule is clearly posted on the rules sign. It is our policy at Catoctin Skatepark that when patrons repeatedly refuse to follow the directions of the staff person on duty, the staff person has the option to contact the police. You and members of your group are welcome back at the skatepark at any time, but I would ask that you respect the operating rules that the town has established for this facility. You are welcome to contact me by phone or in person if you wish to discuss this further.
Sincerely,
Bill Ference, Assistant Director for Parks.
ââ??â?? From: Team NBF [mailto:nbfteam@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, December 05, 2008 3:22 PM
To: William Ference
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
Leesburg Parks and Recreation,
Thank you for your response. Joey mistakenly didn't look at the sign before scootering, but he stopped right after the STAFF worker told him that scootering is not permitted. In fact, he left the skatepark area a long with his scooter and back pack within seconds. I think it�s clear that Joey broke one simple rule unknowingly and then he stopped and respectfully left the area right after he was told by the STAFF worker that scootering is not permitted. It wasn't until he skateboarded in the skatepark when the STAFF worker called the police. Even when Joey did that he still left his scooter outside of the skatepark, because he didn�t want to cause any trouble or confusion. I don't think that the STAFF worker calling Joey, Imoh, and Tyler "smart asses" after Tyler politely asked about where he can find a restroom, calling the police, and banning ALL THREE OF THEM from the skatepark was necessary. Tyler only spoke to the man and Imoh only skateboarded until the police told him to leave with the others. I have no clue who your staff worker is, but it should be clear that he�s not doing his job and that he takes out his anger on skatepark visitors. I�m disappointed in the lack of respect that he has for non-locals, failure to answer the office phone, failure to handle situations properly, and failure to follow the simple Catoctin Skatepark rule of decency which says that foul language is not permitted. We hope that you will find another staff worker so that we can avoid simple problems like these in the future. Though I don�t expect a reply to this email, I expect you to find another STAFF worker who can do the job that you pay them to do.
Sincerely,
Team NBF
Co-Owner
Nathan Chapman
ââ??â?? From: William Ference <WFerence@leesburgva.gov>
Subject: RE: FW: STAFF worker at Catoctin Skatepark
To: "nbfteam@yahoo.com" <nbfteam@yahoo.com>
Cc: "Gregg Tonge" <GTonge@leesburgva.gov>, "George Fatseas" <GFatseas@leesburgva.gov>
Date: Friday, December 5, 2008, 3:31 PM
Your reply has been noted and the staff person has been spoken to about ensuring that he uses proper language at all times. Hopefully this will conclude this issue and you can enjoy future trips to the skatepark
Bill Ference
