Nolan Schrock Brings Eagle Scout Project Before Arthur Park Board

Lengthy Discussion on Spring Ball Diamond Issues

Nolan Schrock, a junior at ALAH High School and son of Melissa and Kenny Schrock, was present at the regular meeting of the Arthur Park Board on Monday, March 14. Nolan approached the Park Board regarding his Eagle Scout Project for Troop 74, at Brad-O-Clen. Nolan would like to restore the signs, repaint the picnic tables and work on the fire pits and is going to need to raise approximately $1,000 in funds for this project.

Board President Dan Miller and the other members were thrilled with this project and stated that he thought the board might contribute $1,500 towards the project. The total cost of the project is unknown at this time, but Miller said that maybe other needed things might be added to the project making it more costly. Nolan is to coordinate the project with park employee JJ Carter.

John Stewart, chairman of the fireworks committee for Arthur Rotary Club, attended to talk to the park board regarding dates for this year’s fireworks. He informed the board the date for fireworks this year will be Saturday, June 25, with a rain date of Sunday, June 26. Stewart said the band “Captain Rat and the Blind Rivets” had been hired again this year and they had requested to be moved to the south side of the ball diamond. The board was in agreement with this change. Stewart also stated that the Rotary will pay the $250.00 rental fee for use of the park ground again this year, in addition to the $5,000 deposit. The deposit is returned to the Rotary if the grounds are left in good condition.

Mac and Ginny Condill came to the meeting as parents of girls on the ALAH High School softball team regarding the diamonds not being open early enough for the girls to practice. The games were scheduled to begin the middle of March. The first home game was set for Thursday, March 17 and they had not had the opportunity to get on the field.

Mac said if it is an issue that help is needed to get the diamonds ready, he will get a group of volunteers together to help. Carter stated “I have talked to Mitch Fleming in Atwood regarding the Atwood diamond. The have to repair their backstop due to high wind damage and there is water on the field.”

Miller said that Carter does all the scheduling and maintenance for the diamonds. He wasn’t opening the Arthur diamonds until the week of March 20. Carter said he talks weekly with the school and with Mitch Fleming in Atwood.

Ginny made the statement, “It’s like no one wants us. We got 4th in the state last year, but nobody wants us. She told the board she wants to understand how things work. Their website is so outdated and no information on FB, you can’t find out anything.” She stated she is very frustrated and doesn’t think the park board is very community minded. “I am willing to have more conversations about this if anyone is willing,” stated Ginny.

“Is it going to be like this the rest of the year? asked Ginny. Let’s wait a couple years and see how things go.” It is hard to know where we are going to be. If this isn’t going to work with the park schedule, just let us know.

Carter said they are good to go the rest of the season. Erica Carter takes minutes for the park board and she told Ginny their website has been down.

Stephanie Alexander, Moultrie-Douglas Fair Board President, Shelly Brough, secretary and Jason Yeakel, co-vice president, were present to inform the park board the fair board has hired legal counsel and would like to meet with the park board early April in regards to the letter they received from the park board attorney. The fair board voted to ask Village President Rod Randall to attend the negotiation meeting. Stephanie asked Miller if the fair board is good to have the fair this year and he responded yes. The fair is scheduled for July 5-9 for this year.

Carter discussed pool employees for this summer. He has three tentatively hired if they pass the lifeguard test. He is looking for 10-12 part-time employees.

Soccer is getting to begin and three coaches are still needed. The problem is there is no paint available to paint the field due to a paint shortage. They are working with Oye’s Hardware with trying to get house paint to the right consistency.

The board has installed security cameras in different phases and are getting ready to install more for the safety of persons walking their dogs in the park. There have been some drug issues, book bags found, etc. and vandalism to the bathrooms.

The park board made no decision on who would be meeting with the fair board. Any other discussion regarding the fair board was tabled at this time.

The board was saddened by the recent death of John McGrath. He has been a loyal supporter of baseball at the park and the board would like to do something in his memory. They agreed to add his name to the rec ball t-shirts this year. It has been suggested naming a ball field after McGrath. More information will be forthcoming on this issue.

The next regular meeting of the park board will be Monday, April 11.