Thursday, September 8, 2011
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Thursday, September 8, 2011 |
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Community | Obits | Editorial & Columnists | Society | Sports | Education | Classified Ads | Calendar of Events | Features | Newsbriefs | Legals | Archives | Subscriptions | Photo Gallery |
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Fielder’s Choice Costly fumble Football means hello fall. And then suddenly here comes the change-of-season temperatures, too. Thanks to a tropical storm named Lee bringing rain and wind and cooler temps to our neck of the woods, I actually dug out a light jacket before I drove to the office Monday morning and labored on Labor Day. After sweating profusely at a game Friday night, I’m looking forward to this weekend’s games. I might even have to wear long pants. Speaking of football, the City of Holly Springs appeared to fumble away a good opportunity last week to show some countywide teamwork and make some extra sales tax revenue, too. Potts Camp and Benton County had planned to play their Thursday night high school football game at Sam Coopwood Park. The Cardinals’ new complex is still under construction, and they were looking for a site for their home game(s). The Holly Springs Board of Aldermen, according to the report in last week’s newspaper, had authorized Potts Camp School to hold home football games at Sam Coopwood Park when the field is not scheduled for the Holly Springs Hawks. Holly High was set to host West Tallahatchie the following night, Friday. Apparently, there were no strings attached to that friendly agreement between Potts Camp School and the City of Holly Springs board. Then Wednesday of last week, I learned that Potts Camp officials had been told by a city representative, at the last minute, the Cardinals could play in Holly Springs for half the total admission taken in at the gate. They immediately moved the game to the field at H.W. Byers. I don’t blame them. This was a tremendous opportunity to show a “working together” approach among the communities in Marshall County. Instead, as it turned out, it created more division. This was also an excellent chance for the City of Holly Springs to pick up some extra tax dollars. Supporters of the Cardinals and Buccaneers were going to come to town and likely not just go to the game, but buy a snack or some gas at the local convenience store or maybe even go out to eat after the game at a Holly Springs restaurant. Instead, they traveled around the city to see their teams play on Highway 72 and I’m sure benefited businesses in that area. I also found out later, that the scoreboard at Sam Coopwood Park (which is owned and operated by the city) continues to be a problem and it has been for years. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. Often the officials just keep the clock on the field, and no one in attendance knows the score. I know coach Marcus Autry at Holly Springs High School has worked and continues to work toward getting the scoreboard fixed. He needs help. I’ve said it here before and I will say it again – Sam Coopwood Park could be one of the nicest park and recreation facilities around, but someone somewhere is dropping the ball on its development. Byhalia is coming to town this week. Later on, Independence, Alcorn Central and Kossuth will visit. To not have an operating scoreboard, I think, is embarrassing for Holly Springs. Welcome, fall and football, and most of all, teamwork. |
     
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