Firsthand knowledge

We’re writing in response to Paul Hoyt’s letter in the Bangor Daily News, Aug. 5.

As parents of one of the players Mr. Hoyt mentioned in his letter, we’d like to add that there are two sides to every story. There are few other parents in northern Maine who enjoy winning basketball as much as we do and we agree that the Houlton program has experienced great success over the past two seasons. Being directly involved for the past two years, not just voicing an opinion from the sidelines, we also have first-hand knowledge of what has occurred within the team. We do not agree that the end results have been justified by the means.

Contrary to Mr. Hoyt’s opinion, we do discipline our children and take the responsibility for raising them very seriously. We, and they, understand it is impossible to please everyone in life, but we also feel it is necessary to protect our own dignity and self-respect, when jeopardized.

We know the administration had additional concerns, beyond the concerns voiced by several players and parents, when making their recommendation to the school board. It is an insult to the members of the administration and the entire school board for Mr. Hoyt to insinuate that two or three parents were soley responsible for the board’s decision to open the coaching position for new applications.

As parents concerned about the welfare of our children, and the welfare of others, we thank the members of the school board for making the correct decision based upon the facts presented by parents and records kept by the school administration. Al Cowperthwaite Linda Cowperthwaite Houlton