I was happy to see The Vicksburg Post point out the questionable process dealing with the city’s recreational partnership involving the City of Vicksburg, Aquila, and USA Partners Sports Alliance in its Dec. 14 editorial titled, “Park off Fisher Ferry needs a clear, public plan.”

The editorial was very easy on the city administration when you take into account the administration used $250,000 of taxpayer money as an advance payment to USA Partners Sports Alliance of Florida for a feasibility study and to raise $25 million for the project.  The study would determine if Vicksburg could support a $40 million recreation center, turning Vicksburg into a tournament destination while competing with the close proximity of Jackson and Clinton.

USAPSA received 90 days from June 21, 2007, to produce the study and to raise the cash or return the taxpayers’ $250,000.  We are now in the month of December 2008, over 455 days later, and the citizens of Vicksburg still do not have their study, part of a complex, the amount of money raised or taxpayers’ cash advance ($250,000) returned.

I find the whole process involving recreation in Vicksburg very disturbing. From when the administration priced and regulated themselves out of adult softball participation to privatizing the majority of the operation of recreation and the selling of property to where we only have grass cutting, the pool and one gym left. Those actions should make everyone wonder what is going on?

The citizens of Vicksburg need to realize that the administration did not make recreation feasible for the residents of Vicksburg and Warren County. So why do we believe a for-profit company will be able to make recreation affordable? We also must take into consideration that Jackson has recently remodeled some of its facilities and Clinton’s facilities are reasonably new, making a good feasibility study vital before we make the $40 million investment.

Competition for tournaments, local affordability, and the administration’s respect for their own rules and regulations on this matter is very important.  Moreover, the administration needs to explain their actions concerning recreation and their plans. The administration claims professionalism and never demonstrates it. It is time for residents of Vicksburg to demand professionalism and beneficial returns on small and large expenditures of taxpayers’ money for all its people.

John Shorter

Vicksburg

Paltry turnout disappointing

On Dec. 7 I attended a program in the Monroe Civic Center put on by the Marine Reserve Band of New Orleans. You cannot imagine how wonderful this program was. Approximately 1,800 people were in attendance.

Because my son is in the Army, stationed at Fort Knox. Ky., and my daughter-in-law and grandchildren live in Jackson, I drove to Jackson Tuesday afternoon, picked them up and drove them to Vicksburg for the Marine Band’s concert there.

I was extremely disappointed at the small number of people at this program. I counted and it was fewer than 50.

This band performs for free, asking only that an unopened new toy be given to an underprivileged child at Christmas. The city, the Chamber of Commerce, the visitors bureau and the entire community owe an apology to this organization for not getting behind it and supporting this worthy cause. I feel sure that the Marine Band may not return to Vicksburg and it will definitely be your community’s loss.

Jim Smith

Monroe