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Parents tell council recreation manager blocked youth team from tournaments
Summary
Two Needles residents told the City Council that a city recreation manager barred their youth basketball team from the Needles All-Star Tournament and contacted neighboring jurisdictions to discourage participation; the council heard the complaint and residents asked staff for a review and a city letter to outside programs.
Two Needles residents told the City Council on March 18 that the city recreation manager prevented their youth basketball team from entering the Needles All-Star Tournament and then discouraged other municipalities from accepting the team into outside events.
"Our team was denied the opportunity to participate in the Needles All Star Tournament," said Gina Guzman, who identified herself as a parent and Needles resident. She told council members her family was attempting to provide playing opportunities for boys not on the all-star roster and that the division that listed eight teams ultimately had only five. "If the division was designed to hold 8 teams and only 5 teams were included, why were local children denied the opportunity to play?" she asked.
Andrew Guzman (recorded also as Daniel Guzman in the minutes) told the council he contacted recreation departments in 29 Palms and Beaumont, and that each confirmed the Needles recreation manager had labeled the family's team "rogue" and discouraged their participation. "Both 29 Palms Recreation and Beaumont Community Youth Basketball confirmed that the recreation manager contacted them, labeled our team rogue, and discouraged them from allowing us to participate in their tournament," he said. He read an email from Beaumont indicating they would accept the squad if the City of Needles provided a letter of permission.
The Guzmans asked the council to review whether the recreation manager acted within her authority and to ensure transparency and fairness for local youth sports. They said they are arranging a meeting with the city manager and requested the council's attention because some outside tournaments occur before the next council meeting.
Council members did not make a formal motion on the complaint during public comment. City staff indicated the family may meet with the city manager to discuss the matter further.
Claims and status - Claim: Recreation manager used her position to contact other jurisdictions and discourage them from allowing the Guzmans' team to play. (Speakers: Gina Guzman; Andrew Guzman.) Status: unresolved in the meeting; the family requested staff review and a meeting with the city manager.
What the record shows The transcript records the Guzmans' allegations and their request that council review the issue and provide transparency. No city official documented a formal disciplinary action or described an investigatory outcome during the meeting; staff indicated the family was arranging to meet with the city manager.
Sources: Public comment at City of Needles council meeting transcript. Quotes and assertions are attributed to the speakers who made them in the meeting.
