Ballpark Debate
by Phillip Ohnemus
CBS 42 News
2008-04-21 18:25:04.0
|
|
| |
|
For the last 40 years kids in MccClla and McAdory have run the bases at the ballparks behind McAdory High School. But next year the fields will be torn down for high school expansion.
It poses a real problem for parents in the community and is one reason Ronnie Acker is pushing to replace the facilities. "The quality of life without the ballparks will decrease in the area. So we really want to see that, as chamber person, I'd like to see the ballpark."
Commissioner Bobby Humphryes believes he has a solution. Humphryes says the county controls 30 acres across from the McCalla Post Office which cannot be developed and would be ideal for a new ballpark.
But plans to build a new park there came under fire Monday. Commissioner Shelia Smoot questioned handing over nearly two-million dollars worth of property for free. "The intent is good. The way they're trying to go about it is bad and the tax payers in the end will wind up losing."
But Humphryes says the County will only allow the community access to the parks and that the land will remain with the County. "We're not getting rid of the property, there's still going to be a Jefferson County asset! We'll retain ownership of the property. We'll retain control of the property. It's not like we're going to turn it over to somebody to do what they want with it."
But Smoot says with the County on the brink of bankruptcy, thanks to out-of-control sewer debt, it'd be wrong to give the perception that the County is not making the most of a valuable asset.
While Smoot feels that money alone is a good enough reason to not give the land away, she adds there's another reason to be concerned which can make a big difference to the kids.
"No one has done an environmental study about all the power lines out there," says Smoot, "That could cause some harm to children playing under them dailey. And these folks didn't think that was a big deal. And I am floored by that."
An Alabama Power Spokesman says based on preliminary plans for the park that the utility is not concerned about the power lines endangering the safety of the children.
|
