Sounding Off:

For the first time in its history, the Daily Pilot Cup soccer tournament may divide the community rather than unite it. An unequal fee increase weakens the community spirit previously reflected in this weeklong contest.

Public and private Newport-Mesa school tournament liaisons were informed at this year’s orientation/information meeting that the participation fee has increased from $5 to $10 per player. No one wants news of a fee increase, but, given the economy, the news was not surprising. (The Pilot Cup, in fact, has run quite “lean.” The entry fee has been constant for a decade.) The surprise (and disappointment) followed: The 100% fee increase applies to private school participants only.

When tournament organizers/meeting hosts were asked for an explanation, inquirers were told “(Private school families) can more easily absorb the fee increase,” and “We do not want to add a financial burden to the residents of the Westside of Costa Mesa.”

Private school families are as financially prudent as other families and not necessarily more able to “absorb the fee increase.”

All residents of the Newport-Mesa area pay into the public school system through taxes and home improvement fees whether or not their children attend a public school.

And while not “…want(ing) to add financial burden to the residents of the Westside of Costa Mesa,” the organizers will choose one segment of the area’s residents to cover the cost of doing business? Huh?

When tournament Director Kirk McIntosh was asked (via e-mail) about this discriminatory fee increase, he responded that, “It was a bit of a surprise to me and not my decision … I am no longer involved in any of the financials.”

A second response, (via e-mail) from Cara Stephens, promotions manager, states, “This year’s pricing structure was determined by the Daily Pilot, NMUSD [Newport-Mesa Unified School District) and CM [the city of Costa Mesa] … Unfortunately, [private school students who object to the one-sided fee increase based on principle] will not be allowed to participate [in this year’s Daily Pilot Cup].”

Are the Daily Pilot, school district and Costa Mesa advocating separate but equal practices? The unifying spirit of the tournament is being tarnished.

Historically, the Pilot Cup soccer tournament has been a way to bring together more than 2,000 Newport-Mesa children for a week of exercise, competition and fun.

An unequal entry fee (which would be equally discriminatory if applied to public school students rather than private school students) is an inappropriate way to collect needed funds. If additional revenue is required to cover tournament costs, raise the entry fee equally for all participants.

JOHN JASON lives in Costa Mesa.