Committeeman Steps Up to the Plate, Offers to Work Scoreboard

Committeeman Ziad Andrew Shehady has volunteered to be trained to operate the scoreboard at Jonathan Dayton High School's new athletic complex in order for it to be lit up at Sunday's recreation league games.

Parents and fans of the youth leagues recently expressed their frustration that while young athletes had an opportunity to play at the $3 million complex, they were unable to take full advantage of its features, including its scoreboard and public address system. 

Springfield Schools Superintendent and Board Secretary Matt Clarke said Wednesday afternoon they have been trying for weeks to find an employee of the Township of Springfield or the Springfield school district to work the scoreboard but have been unable to find one willing to do so. 

Davino explained that a trained individual, covered by district or Township's insurance is necessary to protect the "significant investment" made by residents. A priority, he added, is protecting the facility and its equipment "for many, many years to come." 

"I'm happy to volunteer for the benefit of our youth programs and look forward to getting trained so I can operate the scoreboard as soon as possible," Shehady wrote in an email to Patch sent Thursday evening. "It should have been an easy fix and anyone on the Township Committee could have done this. Had I been asked earlier, I would have happily helped to find a solution."

Shehady reached out to Township Administrator Anthony Cancro Thursday as well to ask that he receive the necessary training as soon as possible. Shehady told Patch Cancro advised him that he should be able to receive that training Friday.

Though the school district and township have come under fire for not having someone in place from the start of the season, Shehady wished to remind residents of the process that allowed the construction of the field in the first place.

"I'd like to remind the people who still criticize the turf field contractual arrangement that they'd be well served to learn all the facts before passing judgment - legally, giving the school system control was the only way the project could move forward since they own a parcel of that land - this was the same legal agreement that existed for years before there was a turf field," he said. "There are going to be many hiccups and a number of logistical or operational concerns to be addressed as with any new venture. This isn't the first and likely will not be the last, but with the right leadership we can iron them out and they'll be a thing of the past."