WICKSBURG – HEADLAND: The community of Headland Alabama has worked hard to be a place for children to grow up, learn sports amd other things. Headland is a place that everyone knows everyone, and all of the children, everyone in the community tries to take time with them.
Henry County is a small county with a population of about 18,141 in year 2014. Both Abbeville and Headland join together in the 11 and 12 year olds playing football together. They teach the children to enjoy the sports and be competitive. They work to teach each child to play and work to make sure all children have a safe and enjoyable time.
This weekend Headland was in a competitve game of the 11 and 12 year olds playing. During the game, from what appears to have been some overzealous officials, who threw the flag 20 or more times against Headland, there were some frustrated fans towards the officials. But no more than the frustrated fans when the Georgia coach called for a time out and then denied it. That is part of being an official. But when those officials make what appears to be bad calls the fans will call them out. And if the officials can not take the heat then it is time for those officials to get out of the game!
But instead the Wiregrass Youth Association met in a closed meeting on Sunday, refusing anyone from Headland to particpate and defend any allegations. The Wiregrass Youth Association then apparently violated their own by laws, voted, some by phone, to remove one of the charter members of the association, being Headland. Out of 11 members, only 5 voted yes to remove Headland from the league.One member was removed from the text group and not allowed to vote.
Stephen Ellinburg of Wicksburg, Radhadd Smith of Hartford and Jay Howell of Geneva need to be a man and answer for why they voted to penalie these 200 children.
The accusation started with Headland to have alleged flying a drone over the cheerleaders. What is odd about that accusation the cheerleaders that the drone was alleged to have been flown over were not in competition with Headland.
The overzealous officials, who kept throwing the flag, 20 or more times against Headland, accused Headland of threatening the officials and using racial slurs towards a line judge. That line judge was not even on Headland’s side of the field. So a false accusation.
The hosting team complimented Headland and how well everyone behaved. Yet the overzealous officials acted as they had to cower in the concession stand after the game in fear of their life. Law Enforcement was never called. Yet the overzealous officials “walked” to their vehicle, without protection, on their own, and were not bothered by anyone. The Headland coach kept the team in a huddle talking and the overzealous officials were gone when the coach released the 11 -12 year old kids.
Sunday evening Headland received a phone call about 9 PM from the President of the Wiregrass Youth Athletic Conference. He stated the head officials and the cheer coordinator stated that Headland has been removed from the ( WYAC ) Wiregrass Youth thletic Conference. Headland, a founding member of the association, requested a in person meeting to defend themselves against some false accusations but was denied. This decision affects some 200 young people. The head of the association was to afraid to face Headland with what he apparently knew were false accusations. That means the leadership has no backbone and are cowards to face Headland and state why this decision was made and prove their accusations. In today’s world there are always cameras, so the accusations should be on video somewhere. Thus far none has surfaced, Which is very strange to me.
They are some allegations against Stephen Ellinburg of Wicksburg, Radhadd Smith of Hartford and Jay Howell of Geneva. These allegations should get these three removed, not only from the association but even the field. It is alleged some participants will pusue these allegations in a future closed door meeting. Should these three be given an opportunity to defend themselves?
There is also discussion about legal counsel filing for an injunction against the Wiregrass Youth Athletic Conference that Headland be re-admitted. This injunction, if granted, could stop any games being played until the action is heard by a Judge. Because the Judge, with a court reporter, under the penalties of perjury, would require testimony as the “facts” and review evidence. And in a court of law “allegations” without proof and sworn tesimony is not allowed. And Headland will be allowed to face their accusers and demand strict proof thereof.
Remember the purpose? The children – not the adults.
