Letters to the Editor: Jan. 3, 2007

Dear Editor, This is my rebuttal to the Record Searchlight’s editorial about the Anderson City Council. Your analogy about Anderson is really goofy. If the City Council is like a parent then they are dysfunctional. This is what they have, by example, told their “children” to do: play with strangers; stab family members in the back; go back on your word. I think the analogy is ridiculous.

Gwen Redding

Dear Editor, Your reporter, Michael Woodward, did a wonderful piece on my husband, Luke Ford, and his soccer career with Anderson Youth Soccer however he missed a few things I think my husband “forgot” to say. Luke has a problem with talking himself up, so please let me.

In the 15 years we have been with Anderson Youth Soccer they have NEVER had an award for Coach of The Year that I know of. Luke was so flabbergasted all he said was “thank you” and sat down. It wasn’t just his last season at Class 4 level but all of the many divisions he has coached over the years plus TopSoccer that won him the award. He still has kids now in the workplace, going to college or coming home from Iraq looking him up at the soccer field to say hello and say “I’m doing well.” We ran into one mother who said Luke was the male role model, not just for her son, but all of his cousins who had passed Luke’s way. Obviously this makes me very proud and something I think should be known.

And last, when our oldest was 6 years old (now 21 years) I signed him up for soccer. There wasn’t anyone to coach the team so I agreed and took a soccer clinic. Luke had just come off back surgery or it would have been him. So in 100-plus degrees I learned the basics of soccer and shared them with my husband, the future coach. We worked together until pre-teens and then I backed out as I didn’t have the knowledge and Luke continued.

Luke’s “ability” to teach soccer did not come from me. I was only the front door. From the moment he started coaching he read books, watched videos and for pretty much the last 14 years has attended the Annual General Meeting for California Youth Soccer Association North to learn from the experts.

Again, I sincerely appreciate the Valley Post and Michael Woodward taking the time to let my husband shine in such a fine way. I only want to make him shine to his true brilliance! Thank you, again.

Regards,

Valerie Ford Cottonwood