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Board of aldermen approve $15M recreation project
Published Wednesday, August 29, 2007
NATCHEZ — The mayor and board of aldermen are ready to spend $15 million on recreation in Natchez.
Mayor Phillip West proposed a plan to build a comprehensive health, wellness and recreational complex at Tuesday’s meeting.
In the first step, the city would authorize up to $100,000 from the public properties fund to hire a consulting firm to develop plans.
The city has approximately $268,000 in the public properties fund, Donnie Holloway said.
West said the money would be reimbursed once rent money from the proposed Lane Company casino started business.
“This is probably the best time from a financial perspective,” West said.
West said it was important for the city to stop just talking about recreation and do something.
All the aldermen agreed they needed recreation, but David Massey and Recreation Commission Chair Jake Middleton disagreed with West how to go about it.
Under West’s proposal, the county would be asked to raise $4 million, while the city would attempt to raise $8 million.
Massey said he wouldn’t vote for the proposal unless the county was required to contribute half the funds, including half the $100,000 seed money.
“We’ve always worked hard to provide recreation for the city and the county,” Massey said. “It’s time for the county to put up half.”
Massey also said there were other priorities in the city for which he would like to see the money used. He also wanted to wait until the city finished its budget process.
Middleton said he wanted the board to review the work done several years ago when the city, county and school board joined forces to construct a recreation complex.
When the plants left, the plan fell apart, but the research was still valid, Middleton said.
West said he wanted the city to move forward whether or not the county pledged money to the project this time.
“I don’t think we should be stunted in moving forward for our children, youth and families,” West said.
Comments
Posted by ZEROTOLERANCE (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 1:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
so, just what is this 'recreation complex for our children, youth and families' going to consist of?
just another friggin casino? or some little rinky dink goofy golf area?
at a budget of 15 million dollars i sure hope natchez officials will think outside the box that natchez has been trapped in.
i'd really like to know exactly what 'recreation' there is going to be.
Posted by SimpleSimon (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 2:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If I remember correctly it was supposed to be a mega sports complex. However, doesn't the city realize they are jumping the gun and betting the bank on something that has yet to be realized. They are planning on the additional income from the gambling boat. (That should start a whole new thread on "How many gambling boats does one dried out city need?")
It makes better budgeting sense if the city would wait until the coffers held more of the proposed money before getting started. 15 million is a lot of money... so are they suggesting loans? In this staggering economy with inflation on the rise and not the paycheck not very many people are willing to think of extra taxes or expensive loans.
Not that I am against having something for the kids to do, but the last thing needed in this area is more taxes either on companies or the individuals.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 29, 2007 at 3:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lets see, 15 million, 8 million from the city, 4 million from the county. Where is the other 3 million? Well, I suppose the circuit clerk is not the only one with bookkeeping problems.
$100,000 to a consultant to develop a plan? I suppose this means that the mayor, aldermen and supervisors do not have a clue other than they want to spend 15 million or is it 12 million. huh!
Posted by cherron (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 5:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Way to go West and Massey, it's about time that someone is making people do their job instead of ask them.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 29, 2007 at 6:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Middleton said he wanted the board to review the work done several years ago when the city, county and school board joined forces to construct a recreation complex."
Middleton makes a good point. We might have what we need sitting on a shelf. How much did we pay consultants for the plan on the shelf?
Review the old plan and locate some sites. After estimating the cost of the land and the dirt work, we get a better handle on facilities and recreational activities.
Surely at this point and with the shelved plan, the city engineer and elected officials can come up with a state of the art recreational facility.
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 7:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think the rec idea is good also, but the county and city need to split the money evenly and $15 million is WAY too much. The economy in Natchez isn't really that great and basing this large project on casino taxes is stupid.
Posted by oldcoach (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 9:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
If my memory serves me correctly, we have spent money on "consulting fees" at least once, maybe even twice in the past. Middleton is correct about using the original plans. It seems more sensible to do so, however I feel we should secure the property before we pay out any money on a consultant. Let's get our ducks in a row and make the most of our money. I find it quite ironic that the only time we hear about the recreation complex is during election time. This city/county does need a suitable complex such as this. I have supported youth sports for years and personally would love to see this happen. I just hope this issue doesn't get "dropped" again after election time.
"I don't think we should be stunted in moving forward for our children, youth and families", West said.
I've heard this quote (in similar words) in the past from various politicians/mayors. I'm just hoping this politician/mayor is a man of his word and will actually follow through.
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would like to know why people seem so against the money that comes from the casinos. Have you ever seen the recreation complex in Vicksburg? That complex was built with casino money. How about the complexes around Tunica? Or the new public schools in Tunica? Are you people blind? Maybe gambling isn't your thing, that's fine, it's not mine either, but instead of looking down your noses at them, appreciate the benefits they can bring to a community. You don't have to frequent the place if you don't want to. That's your choice, but you don't seem to have a choice as to whether the casinos come here or not. We can gripe and complain about them or we can just accept it. I can see the benefits that they have brought to the communities in Vicksburg and Tunica. We should keep an open mind. As far as the recreation complex, maybe our leaders should visit the ones in Vicksburg and Tunica and see what they provide. We are gaining several new hotels in the area. We have the accomodations needed for tournaments, people come to stay in town, they spend money. It benefits the community all the way around. There are plenty of parents who travel all over for their children's sports activities. The parents from our own community are going to Vicksburg, Baton Rouge, Monroe, Jackson, Hattiesburg, etc. because they have facilities. They spend money on hotels, food, gas, etc. Wouldn't it be nice to keep that money in our own city?
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 29, 2007 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would wager that if the mayor thought the new recreational complex would not bear his name it would be dropped. It's suppose to be his legacy.
We could name a street to one of the new casinos after him. Now that's an idea.
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 10:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good idea gemcull!
Posted by mike8427 (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Froggie - Lets not get the buggy in front of the horse. I certainly don't think people are against gaming tax revenue. But we have had a casino here for over 10 years and haven't seen that much from the revenues. All I am saying is let not build this huge new complex until we are sure we will have another boat and it will have enough revenue to support this facility. Have you seen the conditions of the roads in this town - TERRIBLE. Let fix the basics first, the rec facility is no good if we can't get a decent road to drive to it.
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 1:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree with that. I've just noticed alot of people complaining about the possibility of us getting more casinos and how it is such a bad thing. I completely agree not to spend $15 million until we have something more concrete. I would just like to see people have an open mind about the casinos coming to town and the ways they may benefit our community. With the one we have, there's only so much they feel the need to do. However, with some competition, who knows what will happen. I just see the difference it has made in Vicksburg and Tunica with multiple casinos. And yes, I agree that the roads need some help. There are many areas in this town that could benefit from extra revenue - the schools, for one. If we have something other than antebellum homes to offer people, maybe they will come and generate more revenue. Like the movie quote,"If you build it, they will come".
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 3:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Also, the casinos in the towns you speak of Froggie, have way more business and traffic to them, than ours. I might also add the Choctaw's casino in Philadelphia/Carthage. I have gone to each, they have wonderful seafood buffets, and they all are packed. I rarely ever see a decent crowd at the Natchez casino boat. I surmise one problem is Natchez is not accessible from any major interstate, to bring the people in. Before we look at adding more casinos, we must first look at the market. Why does it seem to be that we are courting the gaming/gambling industry so hard? Are there no other viable industries we can negotiate with to get to come to our community? Is there going to be a substantial enough market to patronize the casinos, who then in turn will pay the revenue needed to help bring the city money. Will the salaries paid out to the people hired, the money spent on upkeep, allow this casino to even turn a profit? I think all that is being said is, we need to stop the knee jerk reactions and band aided festering wounds, and heal the problem, from the inside, out. More quality jobs, for quality, hard working people, who can then spend that money right back into the tax base it lives in.
Posted by Whisper (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 10:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well I want a large public swimming pool and skating rink. We have enough ball fields and game rooms. And when the county can vote for mayor then we will talk about going on halfies. I think I have that right, if not, I'm sure I will hear about it. And why do we need a consultant firm? Can't we figure this out for ourselves and save that money.
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on August 29, 2007 at 11:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm a bit confused why we need a consulting firm for anything?
Let the elected officials, that are already being paid to serve in the interest of the people, bear the burden of managing and executing such a feasibility study.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on August 30, 2007 at 12:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Apparently, the vote was 5 to 2?? I would call my alderman but the alderman voted for the action. So talking to my alderman would be like talking to a fence post. However, the fence post may have a higher IQ! huh
Posted by ghost (anonymous) on August 30, 2007 at 11:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
good luck on getting your swimming pool and skating rink.....natchez couldnt keep open a putt putt golf course. ok Froggie, what has the Isle of Debris done for Natchez????
Posted by stateofnatchez (anonymous) on August 31, 2007 at 12:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Isle of Debris?! ...now that's funny...seriously!! LOL
Posted by froggie (anonymous) on September 3, 2007 at 8:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Isle of Capri has probably done more for our community than any of us have! The tax dollars the city collects from them is quite substantial. Ask an alderman. I believe most of them will tell you they have helped a great deal. They do many things for the community besides their tax dollars. They just don't feel the need to brag on themselves. They volunteer for alot of charities, they raise money for the United Way, their employees work on planting flowers and cleaning streets downtown, there are a multitude of things they do for our community and you'd know that if you would just ask. You are certainly entitled to your opinion, as am I. These other casinos are coming whether we want them or not. We may as well get used to it. Try to have an open mind.
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