My name is Carolyn Saucier.

First, I want to express my opinion about the proposed swimming pool paid for by the taxpayers. Have our leaders considered how much the taxpayers will have to pay for the upkeep, maintenance and life guards?

How many drownings will it take to realize what we really could use is a much larger sprinkler park like our neighboring town, Vidalia. How many from Natchez and surrounding area go to Vidalia’s fountains because they know it is a safe place for their loved ones to play and enjoy the water?

Officials haven’t been talking about the problems with finding and hiring drug-free lifeguards on duty every day. When they are hired, is the city and county going to be responsible for drug testing them every day? What kind of drug tests are going to be required?

When you have a swimming pool full of people, what happens when a lifeguard turns his attention to talk with a friend or strike up a conversation with a pretty little girl?

Who is going to take control of this pool? How many other public pools have been filled in after a drowning or other serious safety incident?

No, thank you.

The city needs to think again about what could happen if a pool is brought to our city. The thought of having children drown in a pool is something we do not need to worry about.

With a fountain park like Vidalia, you wouldn’t have to pay lifeguards or worry about drowning. How many drownings will it take to realize we don’t need a pool. We don’t need it.

Secondly, I want to express my concerns about handicapped parking.

I am disabled and struggle to stay out of my power chair and wheelchair.

There are not enough parking space for all of us, as I speak for those with disabilities who have worked all of our lives.

The problem is we don’t have enough handicapped parking for all of the disabled people. There are not enough spaces for handicapped parking. Local stores and businesses need to offer so more spaces and more electric buggies.
Carolyn Saucier

Natchez resident