The Daily Southerner, Tarboro, NC

Local News

December 21, 2012

Opposition rises to proposal to close rec centers on Sunday

Staff Writter Calvin Adkins

TARBORO — A proposed change of operational hours for two of the town’s recreation centers could be met with stiff opposition. The proposal was submitted to the town council  at the council’s December meeting.

The proposal would close the Braswell Center and the M.A. Ray Center on Sundays and place the Ray Center on two different schedules — summer and seasonal operational hours. The Braswell Center would have just one schedule.

The changes would terminate the present schedule, which include separate summer, fall and winter/spring schedules for both centers. In addition, those hours fluctuate for basketball, football and summer vacations.

Parks and Recreation Director Cheryl Gay, who was not in attendance the night the proposal was brought before the council, said the proposed schedule will  “develop new year-round operational hours, will present a consistent message for recreation center patrons as well as benefiting the fitness room participants, facility rental clients, picnickers and playground users.”

A citizen advisory recreation committee is in favor of the proposal.

Councilman Taro Knight is against the proposal. His concerns are the centers, especially Ray, not opening on the weekends during the summer months.

Gay explained that Ray has not opened on weekends during the summer months for several years.

Knight argued that the town should step up its recreational activities during the summer months when children are more susceptible to having idle time.

“I don’t understand the concept of being closed during the summer months,” Knight said. “Kids need things to do and we should provide it for them. I don’t know if it closed because of the lack participation or what. But if it is closed because of the lack of participation, then we need to look into methods to improve it. We have to start programs to bring the kids to our gym to help keep them off the streets.”

Councilman Al Hull said he wants what best for the children and the town.

“I think that it should be opened,” he said. “But the lack of participation will not justify opening the doors and nobody going there.”

Councilman Garland Shepheard admitted that he did not the full details of the schedule. He questioned the closing of the Ray Center.

 “Why would you have one open and not the other one?” he asked. “That will be something that we will discuss in our January meeting.”

Gay took over the director’s position in 2011 following the retirement of Jarvis Pettaway. The present schedule was in place when Gay took over. She said her staff has been mulling over the changes for about 10 months.

“This is just a proposal that we feel is best” she said. “It’s up to the council. Whatever they say or what the citizens want, we will do it. After all, it’s for their use, anyway.

 

Text Only
Local News
  • AIB.jpg America in Bloom judges’ visit Tarboro next month

    Tarboro’s America in Bloom (AIB) steering committee is gearing up for the AIB judges’ visit to town next month. AIB is a national non-profit organization that promotes “beautification through education and community involvement.”
    “Please join us as Tarboro prepares for the visit of national AIB judges on June 17 and 18,” said AIB co-chair Connie Sherrill in a competition planning update. “Help us bring out the beauty of our exceptional town.”

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Brown.jpg Local Principal Completes Leadership Program

    Donnell Brown, principal of Phillips Middle School, recently completed the Distinguished Leadership Program (DLP), a yearlong leadership development program for practicing school principals designed and provided by the North Carolina Principals and Assistant Principal’s Association (NCPAPA) in partnership with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and UNC-LearnNC.

    May 22, 2013 1 Photo

  • Woman faces 32 charges

    A Tarboro woman's scam has led authorities to arrest her on 28 charges.
    According to a Tarboro Police Department report, Jennifer Ann Carr, 29, 1609 Barlow Rd. Apt. 9, took out loans in the names of 16 customers of a local business from January through April. Carr was employed through a temp agency with a local business, said Tarboro Police Sgt. Al Braxton. Braxton said the total loan amount netted $4,300.  
    Carr was charged with 16 counts of identity theft and 16 counts of obtaining property by false pretenses. She was place in Edgecombe County Detention Center under a $10,000 secured bond.
     

    May 22, 2013

  • CRIME.jpg Two suspects arrested on 36 charges; third issued citation

    After executing a search warrant Thursday on a residence at 500 W. Johnston St. in Tarboro, police officers arrested two suspects for possessing a small amount of marijuana and issued a third suspect a citation for possessing a glass pipe to smoke the drugs.
    After the marijuana was found, officers notified two of the three suspects that they also had additional warrants on them from the department's "Spring Fling" drug campaign where they had sold marijuana to undercover officers.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • S.Herring.jpg Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday

    Want a leg up in a medical terminology course? Anatomy? Physical science? Take a look at Latin, perhaps the best grounding for all education.
    Not convinced? Just ask Stephen Herring, instructor of religion, geography, and developmental studies at Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He will teach an Introductory Latin class beginning Tuesday. The class will meet at Fleming 218 on the Tarboro campus.

    May 20, 2013 1 Photo

  • DWI-Tests.jpg NTSB wants to lower DWI blood alcohol levels

    The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a bold set of targeted interventions to put the United States on course to eliminate alcohol-impaired related crashes. They have given recommendations that call for stronger laws, swifter enforcement and expanded use of technology.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • Susan-Barnes-headshot.jpg Measles cases have state health officials concerned

    Twenty-three cases of the measles have been reported in North Carolina in a recent outbreak and has state health officials concerned.
    “It (measles) is a highly contagious disease that is spread in the air by coughing and sneezing,” said Susan Rogerson, nursing director at the Edgecombe County Health Department. Outbreaks of measles in the United States are rare because of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.

    May 17, 2013 1 Photo

  • MLK-Property.jpg County still looking for bids on 41 properties

    While county commissioners have accepted bids on seven foreclosure properties, a total of 41 others remain available for interested parties to submit bids.
    County Planning Director Brian Hassell said interested parties may submit bids for commissioners to consider. If a bid is approved and another party is interested, they may submit an upset bid.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Buddy.jpg Scouts honor ‘Buddy’ Hooks

    Try as he might, master of ceremonies Dave Sharpe was unable to talk someone into telling an unexpected story on Ellis “Buddy” Hooks as Hooks was recognized as the 2013 Edgecombe County Distinguished Citizen Award recipient by the Boy Scouts of America.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo

  • Sheriff_Knight.jpg Sheriff's Department to host junior academy

    The Edgecombe County Sheriff's Department will be hosting a junior academy for students ages 13-18 years old. Sheriff James Knight believes that this is the most important times of a juvenile's life and wants them to learn about the criminal justice system.

    May 15, 2013 1 Photo