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Citizen concerned with recreational opportunities for low-income families
Published 1:42pm Tuesday, July 19, 2011At Monday night’s Greenville City Council meeting Mary Thompson voiced concerns about recreational opportunities for children from low-income families.
“My concern is for the children of Greenville, especially the poor children,” Thompson said. “Our children do not have a healthy and safe place to play. Some of them can go to the Dunbar Recreation Center during the summertime if their parents can afford to pay the fee. Others stay at home, playing in the streets or watching TV and waiting to go and get the free sack lunch. … We don’t even have a decent playground in our area. There is a downward spiral and a lack of concern for our poor children. … Let us see if we can give them some safe places to play that poor people can afford.”
Mayor Dexter McLendon thanked Thompson for her concern for the children, and agreed to speak with her again about the issues raised at the council meeting.
He also pointed out that the fee for attending Dunbar during the summer is just $15 a week.
“That’s a while lot less than what it is in places like Montgomery,” he said.
In other business:
* The Council accepted the city’s quarterly financial reports for April 1, 2011 – June 30, 2011.
* The Council certified the consistency of the Greenville Housing Authority’s five-year and annual Public Housing Authority (PHA) plan with the city’s PHA consolidated plan.
* The Council approved payments of $3,181.40 to Southland International Trucks for repairs to the engine of street sweeper No. 28 and $4,000 to J&J Quality Lawn Care Services for Magnolia Cemetery maintenance.
Perhaps Ms.Thompson is not aware that we do have a beautiful playgound for children at Sherling Park.Of course it also offers walking trails, picnic facilities, restrooms, fishing, all the things that children and adults can use and enjoy, AND! no charge to enter! With all the beautiful trees to keep children and adults cooler on a hot summer day, its perfect. There is still a few swings and a slide behind the old YMCA that can be used. What about family and friends getting together and sharing there own swingsets with each others children? I dont think the city needs to spend money on such a idea as this when the economy is so bad right now.
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FIFTEEN DOLLAS A WEEK TO USE A PARK IN GREENVILLE?
YES, spend 43,000.00 dollars to see what will happen
if WE decide to split our Education System…These
things are going on within our City Council. I, and others, have not been able to understand, also.
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