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People have spoken; let’s move on rec
Published Thursday, November 5, 2009
Trying to define the word “landslide?” Look no further than Tuesday’s non-binding referendum on recreation.
Adams County voters overwhelmingly said “yes” to the referendum, which sought support for the creation of a countywide recreation program.
Looking purely at the percentages of the results, nearly eight out of every 10 voters supported the plan.
That’s an amazing statistic and speaks to the depth and breadth of the community that seeks action — quick action — on moving recreation to the front burner of local projects.
Now that the people have spoken so clearly and loudly, each party involved — city, county and school district — will form a citizens’ committee to shape the next step.
This committee will be where the rubber meets the road on recreation.
We trust that the committee will be formed of people who represent the diversity of our community — race, age, interests, etc. — but who share one common goal, improving recreation for generations to come.
Recreation should be an all-inclusive project for the community, touching nearly every interest and activity.
The resounding “yes” vote should illustrate that it wasn’t just the baseball supporters or tennis fans or swimming enthusiasts or hikers who support recreation. It was all of those people — and hundreds more.
Yes, the people have spoken and now we need to get down to business on shaping what it is that the people want out of a truly unified, truly well planned recreation project.
Comments
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 5:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerning --> "nearly eight out of every 10 voters supported the plan"
I'm glad to see it passed. But I expected the vote to be closer to 50-50 after talking with various folks around town. Maybe they had a last minute change of heart?
:)
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
maybe they couldn't have cared less how it's paid for, or what the O&M costs will be.
Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You called it, niderbip. It is good to see Mississippi catching up with the rest of the nation.
"I want it now, I don't care what it costs and I'll worry about paying for it later, if ever." has become the American way.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Y'all want want some cheese to go with that whine?
:)
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OGD -
how you can just ignore the facts that:
- the BOA was just recently saying they can't afford to cut grass, - borrowed more money,
- raised your taxes (yet built nothing),
- gave no details on how they arrived at the "costs" of this "concept"
- paved roads without having the "promised money in the bank"
just underlines what i've been saying. it ain't whining; it's called reality.
Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 7:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I believe "Let's Move On" sans "Rec" might have been a more apt title.
The vote was an overwhelming "yes". The ongoing debate about its passage, how, why and the possible consequences is a circular argument.
This will be a complex process, with ample opportunity for further discussion as it moves forward - assuming it does, which would be a juicy topic as well.
No one can project the actual cost or eventual impact.
The issues now are how and how fast.
IMHO
Posted by sobeit (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great, now there will be no more thugging at Walmart. The little thugs will have "something to do" and will not have to entertain themselves bothering the citizens of Natchez. That's what this was all about, wasn't it?
Bend over good citizens of Natchez!!
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"No one can project the actual cost or eventual impact."
Actually, the people selling the idea did.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
There is certainly something to do that will maximize our recreational options, market the rec options to the world better, and make things more friendly for people that seek to use a recreation improvement to bring more business and fun to the area.
The study our vote has funded will ask and answer these questions.
Instead of whining -- which it is to naysay a process we already voted to pay for -- I would suggest giving some input on the actual changes than can be made, the services offered, or how things might be done to benefit the community.
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
YHH -
you may see it as whining; others see it as reality. And how much does "the study your vote funded" cost?
Let me guess: they didn't give that number either.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
niderbip, Its all over. Finished. The basic direction has been decided by the voters. And by a large margin. Look at the Democrat's title to this page:
"People have spoken; let’s move on rec"
Your efforts would be less wasted by channeling them towards influencing what your own perception of this Recreation Center should become.
Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Whining? Jeez, grab a dictionary. The ones whining are the pro-rec people. Whining about me and others not following in lock-step with their reality-free delusions. Whining to the city to supply them with goodies at someone else's expense.
Whine #1 - "Oh, boo-hoo, our kids don't have a brand new sports complex that we can't afford to pay for. I want one Daddy, NOW!"
Whine #2 - "Wahhh, Laurel has a sports complex and I don't! Buy me one Daddy, NOW!"
Whine #3 - "Boo-hoo, I miss my youth and want to see things like they were when I was young. Make it happen, Daddy, NOW!"
Whine #3 - "Those mean old 'negative people' on the Democrat website won't stop thinking for themselves! Make them stop, Daddy!
By the poster's logic here, actually behaving as a responsible adult with regard to city finances is "whining". You people have been whining to the taxpayers and leaders of Natchez for 6 months about this circus.
No, we are not the "whiners", you are. You are the beggars and thieves of other people's money, whining to the government to give you something for nothing.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Crakalakin, concerning --> "You are the beggars and thieves of other people's money, whining to the government to give you something for nothing"
Sure, its "government". But on this local level its much more like "Community". This is the direction we have decided to go as a community. A president that is elected by 55% is said to have won by a landslide. What do we say about the remarkable percentage that this Recreation Complex won?
Sorry if you don't agree with the vote or direction. I had doubts myself and still do. But I agree with the basic direction.
Posted by niderbip (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said...these may be the same people who agree the participants in the Boston Tea Party were "right-wing zealots".
I don't find my efforts "wasted", just a different opinion.
Did you ever ask how much "economic impact" all the conventions the 'new' 9 holes at DP actually had?
That was how it was sold.
Posted by Crakalakin (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I certainly understand, OGD, I just think it was the wrong way to go. My belief in that is not whining. Quite the opposite. I defer to the Mencken quote I left yesterday:
"Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard."
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
OK guys it was the wrong way to go for some. But if you believe in democracy the result is pretty clear. We need to be constructive.
My suggestions:
Do not do just another ball field/pool complex based on the hope it will bring droves of tournaments to the area. Ballfields and swimming pools are a dime a dozen to the traveler. And since we are a tourist town we have to consider both the tourist and the locals if we want this thing to pay.
A "complex" in a single locality would be less versatile than a system of features. It will concentrate payola in fewer hands and feel oh so ordinary in that respect.
Hiking, birding, ecotourism, hunting, fishing, the Trace, the River and all the wet places around here offer very unique opportunities for paying fun and free fun. If we try to spend 5 or 10 million dollars to advance this town and cannot think of a way to incorporate these resources into our appeal then NO WONDER people might think we are dumb here in this state.
We should absolutely insist that this money be spent with a minimum of restrictions on who can use the facility for commerce and this will be a challenge. It will again be oh so ordinary to have moneyed interests try to exclude others through franchising or special deals.
Let's do something different to dignify our appeal for tourist dollars. The homes are already unique. The hunters and fishermen already are in the area but hide in the woods and are pretty much left to find their own leads. There are adventures and activities to be had otherwise and people could use a little help to find them.
Posted by lightcatcher (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 6:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Natchez on a resounding victory! A true representation of what the people of this community really want is now known. There are still challenges ahead in this process, but my hopes are that a well chosen, bipartisan recreation committee will be created, including some civilian participation. We need an active, results oriented group, who will approach this with energy and wisdom.
Posted by OldGrandDad (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 8:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeahuhuh, the high water of springtime is an excellent time for a Wild Gator Tour along the levee. You'll lose count of 'em.
And if you can get your hands on a model (not literally) you might can even work out a Wild Swamp Girl Sightings Tour.
:)
If you still like watching birds, I saw an osprey eating a rather large fish on a downtown tower not long back. And I've seen Osprey Nesting Tower Plans online. It would be nice if we could get a few placed along the river. Some lumber and a bucket truck (Entergy???) is about all that would be necessary.
Posted by onarant (anonymous) on November 5, 2009 at 9:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeahuhuh, you make some good suggestions.
But I just do not have enough confidence in our local government to put it all together.
You have a very valid concerns about the franchising & special deals too, I do not want to see that happen.
We probably will see in the near future how this is going to be developed, let's just hope that it will truly be a benefit to the community.
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on November 6, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the Wild Swamp Girl thing could work but you know, truth is if we got a fun enough girl it would be better with some paying customers if she was in the BOAT!
Maybe if she was wearing a scanty wild girl costume it would satisfy the church & morality lobby if she also sang some hymns.
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