To the Editor:
On behalf of the City Administration, I would like to respond to the letter from Judy Canimo (“Bayonne Community News,” Sept. 9, 2009).
Mrs. Canimo expressed dismay about her daughter Virginia’s exclusion from a bowling program for people with special needs. Mayor Smith shares Mrs. Canimo’s interest in supporting her daughter’s involvement in recreational activities. However, the particular bowling activity to which she refers in the letter is not a program run by the City of Bayonne.
The City of Bayonne did respond to Mrs. Canimo several months ago. Ed Broderick, a supervisor with the City’s Recreation Division, has explained to Mrs. Canimo that the City of Bayonne does not run the Ability League Bowling Program. Mr. Broderick has contacted the private individual who runs that league to disagree with the league’s decision to exclude Virginia Canimo from its games. Mr. Broderick told a representative of the Ability League Bowling Program that Virginia Canimo was “an ideal client for this recreational activity.” Although the Ability League Bowling Program is a private organization, Mayor Smith hopes that the league will be able to accommodate Virginia Canimo as city officials have suggested.
JOSEPH E. RYAN
Public Information Director
City of Bayonne