City board addresses ballpark fencing again

The Webster Progress-Times

Complaints regarding fencing at a city ballpark were voiced again to the Eupora Board of Aldermen last week.

Christie Ford first addressed the mayor and board on May 4 with her concern as to why the fence at the large baseball field at Spud Stennett Park had been removed months ago. She stated that her son had an over-14 summer baseball league team that used the field.

Mayor Tommy Lott and Park Director Mike Narmour explained that plans were to disk and level the field to provide proper drainage then to sow the field with grass. The May 4 minutes note that both men were unaware of an organized summer team that played on the field, which is also used for soccer and flag football.

Ford said the team wanted the metal fencing put back up. After much discussion, the board approved a motion to replace the fence immediately with portable temporary fencing. Aldermen Robert Calvin Mays and Jack Haney made and seconded the motion to do so.

The matter was discussed again on June 1, when Ford and others were back before the board. The item had not been placed on the agenda but it was amended for that purpose. Ford said the temporary fence did not connect from one side of the field to the other and that the "cattle" posts holding it up were dangerous.

"I feel like it's a problem; it's just not fair," she said, adding that other available fields were not large enough for baseball play.

Alderman Ricky Newton said he was trying to get more temporary fencing and Narmour said he would try to salvage some of the old chain-link fence. Alderman Dan Burchfield recommended that the temporary fence be taken up and chalk lines used instead.

When Ford asked what the team was supposed to do in the meantime, Lott responded, "You've got to give us some time (to complete the scheduled dirt work). ... If you don't want to play on the field like it is, don't play on it."

Narmour said he would work with the team in any way, but he and others acknowledged that the dirt work needed to begin soon so the field could be in good shape next year. Concerns about the temporary fence continued to be voiced, and Lott said it was apparently a liability and needed to be taken down.

The mayor ended the discussion after 45 minutes when he said the board needed to move on and that those concerned could continue their talks after the meeting with Narmour. The temporary fence has since been removed.

WCDC Activities

Executive Director Cynthia Wilson gave the board an update on Webster County Development Council activities. She said response to the May 4 final presentation of the Appalachian Regional Commission charrette for Eupora had been good and that the Mississippi Main Street Association resource team conducting it gave a debriefing the next day.

She discussed various recommendations made during the charrette, including the planned nomination of the city's local historic district for designation as a National Historic District through the Mississippi Heritage Trust. Such designation would make available federal tax credits of 20 percent for the substantial rehabilitation of income-producing historic properties listed on the National Register. State tax credits of 25 percent would be available for the rehabilitation of both commercial and residential historic properties.

Wilson also asked the city to keep in mind state statute 27-31-31 concerning "structures within central business district of municipality." It allows cities to grant 10-year ad valorem tax exemptions for new structures or improvements to or renovations of existing structures located in the designated central business district. Application must be made within 12 months of completion.

Regarding industrial/manufacturing prospects, Wilson said, "We're still on hold for two big projects. ...We should use this time to improve on quality of life and work to beef up our retail to be in better shape for prospects when they come to look."

Also last week, the board voted to authorize the city to advertise for mowing around the water tanks in LaGrange, Walthall and Bellefontaine.