Weston business owner alleges ban, calls for accountability from Weston Sports Alliance

A Weston business owner told the City Commission on May 19 that he was banned from Weston Regional Park after an incident related to youth baseball and urged the commission to hold the Weston Sports Alliance and local league boards accountable.

Edward Lanza, who identified himself as owner of Better Life Hearing and a youth sports coaching business, said he has spent four months emailing the Weston Sports Alliance seeking more playing opportunities for 7-, 8- and 9-year-old players. He said the alliance consists of nine members and asked who is accountable when board members no longer serve "our children or the league."

Lanza said he was attacked outside Baseball Field 7 on May 8, provided sworn statements to police and to the Weston board, and within 12 hours was notified by Maria O'Pane that he was banned from Weston Regional Park. "I've asked Todd Sheen, the president of Weston Athletic League for the last 4 months to create more opportunities for our 7, 8 and 9 year olds," Lanza said.

Lanza said he has spoken with City Manager Don Decker, Mayor Margaret Brown and public-safety personnel, and that several witnesses gave sworn testimony to police officers. He said he was removed from the field and wants the commission to address accountability for sports-alliance and league board members who oversee field space and youth programming.

The remarks came during the meeting's public-comment period; the commission did not take formal action on the complaint during the session. Mayor Margaret Brown and city staff were identified by Lanza as people he had contacted; no commission vote or staff direction was recorded on the dais during the meeting.

Ending: Lanza said he had filed reports and provided sworn statements and asked the commission to consider accountability for board members who allocate field space and manage youth leagues. The commission did not announce any immediate follow-up during the meeting.