At 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.