Last week, a thought struck me. Why is our area filled with such selfish adults?

That may seem over the top, particularly when you consider Mississippi is, statistically, one of the most generous states in the country. Heck, the state’s nickname has long been the Hospitality State.

Natchez is arguably, the Garden of Eden of Mississippi. It’s really where the state’s true history all started. So, one could easily conclude that Natchez may be the most Mississippian of any Mississippi cities.

How on earth can Natchez be filled with selfish adults?

It’s easy. Drive around town, swing by the bluff; then drive to Duncan Park, then over to Liberty Park.

What you’ll find is a dearth of things for children to do in our community. What actually exists is pretty old — as in decades and decades old — and largely worn out.

Voters stepped up and said, a resounding, “Yes” to a recreation referendum a few years ago. It was a clear signal to elected officials to put petty differences aside and work on making something happen.

Yet, little tangible has been done to provide anything new.

This week, elected officials may start voting on what appears to be a settlement plan. The plan includes constructing a swimming pool and a couple of soccer fields.

It’s not what county voters approved of several years ago, nor is it really what we need most or where it needs to be located.

But the general opinion appears to be: “Well, it’s something. At least it’s a start.”

What happened to having a bit of vision? The plan proposed a few years ago was a comprehensive plan. It was located in a spot — the bean field near Natchez High — that was centrally located and offered the ability to have recreation be showcased in a beautiful way.

Instead, we now face a plan that’s only a piece or two of the original plan.

It’s irritating that we continue to put youth behind the current needs of adults. How many public officials drive new, taxpayer-funded cars, tricked out to the max?

How many claim every penny of allowable mileage or per diem allowed when traveling on “official” business?

But those same folks shrug their shoulders and suggest that no money is available for recreation investment.

The latest plan includes some money from the city, some money from the county and some money from the casino that as part of its deal with the city has to donate money to be used for a community project.

Someone last week accused me of being against recreation because I have been critical of the latest plan that simply adds a pool and two soccer fields. I laughed at the thought. I proudly voted to support the plan for a new recreation complex several years ago and continue to support a comprehensive plan.

The problem isn’t the pool; it’s the settlement factor. We need a comprehensive recreation plan, now, not one tiny, ill-timed step at a time.

Any parent worth their mommy or daddy salt is quick to sacrifice for their children.

For many generations, parents worked hard to simply provide their children with things the parents didn’t have when they were children.

So why aren’t we, as a community, focusing hard on improving things not for ourselves but for our children?

We need a carousel and playground on the bluff, a place where local and visiting families can enjoy the beautiful public space we’re so blessed to have.

But we also need a state-of-the-art recreation complex at the beanfield. When built, it’s almost a certainty that additional restaurants and hotels are likely to spring up nearby.

And the cost of it would be worth a little adult self-sacrifice whether that means a little less fancy cars for public officials or even a tax increase earmarked for the purpose.

Continuing to nickel and dime our children’s future just isn’t cutting it.

 

Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.