To the editor:

I have submitted to following letter to Parks & Recreation Director Joe Petrella:

With all due respect to Patricia B. Dean and the Dean Family, I am personally opposed to the proposal to specifically rename JAYCEE PARK.

WHY am I opposed? (1) It was JAYCEES Member Citizen Volunteers who conceived the idea of having that specific park; who obtained city approval and required permits; who developed the original plans; who raised the money to fund developing the park, and who actually provided the labor to begin development, all at little or no cost to the city. (2) Given WHY we have a JAYCEE PARK to begin with, I believe it is historically appropriate that we retain the name of that specific park to recognize JAYCEE contributions to the Cape Coral Community.

See the attached News-Press article dated 11/24/1976 and titled “Jaycees, Cape talk about park”

WHY am I prompted to write? My answer — the non-profit JAYCEES organization, was a leadership training and community service organization for those seeking to serve, while learning how to work with and lead others in creating positive change in themselves and their communities. The name itself brings back positive memories of serving as an active JAYCEE and being a positive contributor in communities where I lived in Colorado and Texas, during my career serving in the U.S. Air Force.

The City of Cape Coral’s Jim Jeffers Park, was named after a man who served as Councilmember (4/11/2005 to 8/31/2006), and who earlier in his life was named the “Outstanding Young Citizen of Chicago” by the Chicago JAYCEES.

WHAT else might you consider ? As there is precedent for name changes, if more specific information were provided detailing the altruism, time investments, financial generosity, and other significant contributions of Roger Dean to the Cape Coral community, rather than a statement that the “proposal adheres to the requirements,” I might be inclined to support renaming one of the other 40-plus Cape Coral City Parks to recognize him with such an honor.

If Roger Dean is deserving of such an honor, I would ask WHY not give serious consideration to provide this recognition by renaming one of the City’s new parks, or what about the following alternative ?

Roger Dean Sun Splash Family Waterpark & Racquet Center.

Note that on TripAdvisor, it is #12 of 57 “Things to do” in Cape Coral – https://www.

tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34118-d143638-Reviews-Sun_Splash_Family_Waterpark-Cape_Coral_Florida.html

Finally, please remember WHY we have a community JAYCEE PARK today.

Respectfully submitted by

EARL H. MORGAN JR, USAF Retired

Cape Coral