Be informed on recreation issue at forum

By Democrat Editorial Board | The Natchez Democrat

Published Sunday, October 18, 2009

A little skepticism when approaching new ideas or situations is human nature.

Perhaps it’s in our DNA.

The “unknowns” of a Nov. 3 vote on a new recreation complex have sparked much skepticism.

First, the notion of getting three government entities working together on a common project is certainly a new idea.

Beyond that, however, the recreation issue is certainly another kind of new idea, too — asking voters to voice their opinion on a specific idea, the details of which haven’t been fully worked out yet.

The non-binding referendum on recreation has been called a countywide opinion poll on the issue.

Essentially, a “yes” vote simply expresses support for the idea of considering doing something on recreation and it gives the elected leadership a show of public support. “Yes,” means, “Sure, I’d like our community to consider how such a modern recreation complex might help our community.”

But it doesn’t mean that such a recreation complex will definitely be constructed.

A “no” vote would likely kill the idea for many years to come.

Many of the details of such a complex will need to be worked out after the Nov. 3 vote.

Suffice to say that many people have many questions about the recreation complex vote.

Lots of those questions can be answered at an informational forum on Monday from 6 to 7 p.m. The forum will be at the Natchez Convention Center and is sponsored by the Natchez-Adams County Chamber of Commerce.

Not all of your answers may be known at this point — because we’re voting on an idea to pursue a plan, not a specific plan — but many of your questions likely have been considered and those on hand can help explain the options ahead.

The only dumb question will be the ones that go unasked.

Please get involved, attend the forum and become an informed voter. That’s the best way to improve our community.