Some years ago Gilmer County voters approved a 30 million dollar General Obligation Bond to fund capital improvements including new ball fields for our children. We have been promised these new fields for years and years, but they have yet to become a reality. The former County Chairman changed the allocation of the money and instead steered it to fire stations that are mostly closed. We spent 1.5 million dollars on an airport that has proven to be a bust. Chairman Chastain even misappropriated $300,000 to build a new golf course pro shop, and our ever vigilant District Attorney turned a blind eye. It was unlawful to spend that money at the golf course because it was not listed on the ballot that we voted on.
So who is suffering from the mismanagement? Our kids, plain and simple. Recreation is the best investment the County government can make. Indisputable statistics show that children involved in sports are less likely to get in trouble and become a burden on society. We now have four unfinished ball fields out at Clear Creek and the County is out of money. Right now we have over $400,000 invested and just sitting there in a sea of mud. It’s time to act. If the County can’t finish them, we can!

What I am suggesting is a public/private partnership to finish these ball fields and get our children playing. I plan to host an open house in my showroom at Ronnie Thompson Ford on Thursday, June 21st at 7:30 pm to present a plan to the public and I encourage everyone to attend. What I would like to do is sell 1000 bricks at $100 each and the purchaser can have them engraved similar to what is downtown and at the Veterans Memorial. These bricks will be incorporated into the construction of the ball fields and immortalize the names inscribed. The $100,000 raised would be used to buy the material and I have been assured the Prison system will supply the labor needed to finish building them. I also feel that many members of the community would donate their efforts as well.

It’s too late to use them this year, but if we come together as a community, the kids can be playing ball next spring. I hope the community will come together and support me in this endeavor! It’s the best investment we can make for our future. See you at Ronnie Thompson Ford on Thursday June 21st at 7:30 pm.
Sincerely,
Ronnie Thompson