City’s takeover of Civic Center ball field complex dead for now

" The city has had a plan but know body knows how to take on some of the "Good Ol' Boys" in town. They are very sneaky and controlling so until some of these "Good Ol' Boys" are stood up to by the citizens of Hernando things will never change. "

" I for one don't want the city to take over the operation of the baseball/softball activities! This was our first year to participate in the softball program and while some things always need improving, I wasn't disappointed. My oldest daughters coach was horrible and was thrown out of several times by the umps. He wasn't a good example of being a good sportsman or a parent. We also had him for upward basketball and he was thrown out from that. That's another story that I hope doesn't get a chance to repeat itself. The fields were always in good shape and umps were great!

I just don't feel that the city is capable of organizing anything of this size. Do you really think our parks department could have handled the 500ish kids that signed up for soccer this year with First Baptist of Nesbit?
Before they take over something of this size, they need to hire someone like Shawn! "

" how long does it take one lilltle city to take over a tiny ballfield that is ran by danny phillips? Good grief this town is so full of thugs and thiefs. When will you people start standing up for yourselves. You were elected to office by the people "Chip Johnson" You seem to be doing nothing else. Im sure this will not get posted becuase someone was actually named. "

" Yes, I think the city can run any sports organization. This is not rocket science and our citizens deserve to have a city run sports program. The city has started a tennis and basketball program that are professionally run. The football program ask the city take it over and was voted down. They knew if they did it would be one step closer taking over ballfields. Our mayor Chip Johnson is working his heart out for this city and has had people against him on everything he tries to do. "

" The city is not handling the tennis and basketball programs. They bring in outsiders that manage the programs. The soccer program was run by the YMCA, not the city. We signed up for the basketball program for this fall even though we were told by others that it was a joke. They had participated in the one put on earlier this year. I am not a "Chip" hater, just someone that knows the limitations of city personnel. "

" The real issue here is that the Hernando Civic Center is private property and the city cannot just "take it over " anymore than they can your home or your personal property. The Civic Center is not city or county property it is private property! "

" Who do you think runs the other city programs Mayor Nate Baker in Horn Lake and his staff actual run all their programs ?
You sound like a pretty smart person so why do you make it sound like the city cant organize things and have people come in and help. You sound like some of the other longtimehernando people, and just so you know I am to and there comes a time to do whats right and let people who know what they are doing run these programs. "

" If longtimehernando actually thinks Shawn Butrum did a good job at First Baptist Church of Nesbit that you have never seen a well run athletic program. I have never experienced anything so disorganized and disapponting in my life. He actually banned outside food and rinks from the property because the concession stand was not making enough money for the church. The schedules for the season were not done until two weeks into the season. The teams were not finalized until after the first game. That farce of a soccer program was a joke. The Hernando Parks and Rec depratment can and will do a wonderfule job managing the athletic program. The difference between FBCN/Danny Phillips and the Parks and Rec department is that the Parks and Rec will function only to serve the families of this City and their childrens bext interest. Two things the former entities have never considered. I cannot wait until we have a community athletic prgram and facilities that we can be proud of. "

" It may be time for a change but until change happens we must accept and make the best of what we have. My daughters have played ball in Hernando for three years and for the most part we have been blessed with great coaches. After playing softball this past summer, our daughters were both asked to play for a fall team from Hernando. No, we didn't play in Hernando because the fields are closed, but we played in all the surrounding cities! It was a great experience with a great group of coaches, orginally from the Civic Center, both male and female! Next summer, the whole group will return to the Civic Center. Not everyone hates Hernando, the Civic Center, or their affiliates! We are very pleased!!
Give up on a takeover and aim at having a FALL BALL LEAGUE!! "

" Danny Phillips is a joke. The fields and complete area are a disgrace. I am surprised that people don't see it for what it really is....money all back in his pocket. The little that he does is to show that "something" is actually being done. The concession stand should be closed just based on health standards alone. Have you ever attended a ball game/tournament and ever see him leave his tent? He could care less as long as the $$$ keeps coming in. Come on people wake up!! "

" leave it like it is. while it is impossible for danny to please everyone, he works hard as a volunteer. the hernando city gov. is a joke, they would just screw it up. "

" Could I repeat what another has said? This property DOES NOT belong to the city. Maybe the city would like to purchase the property for a city run sport center. Then the clubs that own it would be rolling in dough. My children and grandchildren have played sports there and they never sickened off the food and Thank You,Danny for all the years you have devoted to the kids and no I don't think you have gotten rich off the ballpark. "

" How do you think the other cities in Desoto County got their land. It was from clubs and citizens who wanted to help their city and leave a leagacy to their community by donating the land to the city. The Saddle Club, Lions and Rotary dont own that land it was donated to them to be put to good use for our children. It is a shame that we dont expect more out of our facitiy than that. As I play around at ballparks in cities alot smaller than ours and think why do we settle here in Hernando when we could really have a show place down there. The bathroom and concession is the worst in Mississippi. Shame, shame, shame on all of us who want stand up and try to make things right down there. "

" Shame Shame Shame on me. I should have gone to the courthouse and researched the records to see how the clubs obtained this land. It still stands, I'd like to see how many would volunteer as much of their time as Danny Phillips has for years and years. I volunteer one day a week at a Desoto facility and I'll tell you now it is hard to get a lot of volunteers these days. If you are thinking of paid employees, there will be a lot of children who won't be able to play because fees will be too high. So where is all the money going to come from and the city won't take it on to lose money. Lived here all my life, as my ancestors did from the 1830's and I guess we fit into the GOOD OLE BOYS, but first time any have been called Sneaky and Controling. Kind of sounds like a good name to blog under. Hmm!! Sneaky and Controling? "

" All I am saying is I wish we would keep a open mind when our mayor is trying to take over these programs. I don't think our mayor would take on something that would lose money. I'm sure he has done his homework. The other cities run their programs and they all seem to do a good job and if you check with the other mayors I am sure they will tell you they make enough money to pay people to run the ball programs and have money left over to fix and add updates so money is a mute point. So that still leaves me to ask why are we different from any other city? IT IS TIME FOR A CHANGE ! The land is for everyone--- it was not intended to be private property! As for our ancestor I think they would agree :-) "

" And what I am saying is this, when my children and grandchildren played every child payed a fee. There were some who could not pay back then, but they were allowed to play. The money has to come from somewhere and this will be part of it. Many people that have money or a good income don't understand that a person with a low income pays the same for a loaf of bread or a gallon of gas as the higher income. Just as the people in Washington thinks everybody makes 100-150,000 per year. So please understand what I am trying to say and think about the children whose parents live from payday to payday. I would be for improvement if all children were given the opportunity to play whether they could pay or not. As for ancestors, I don't believe mine would like being called A GOOD OLE BOY AND SNEAKY AND CONTROLING. I really like that for a blog name. Thanks!!!! "

" Time for a change needs to go to the courthouse and you will find out that the land called the "civic center " was not donated by anyone. It was bought by thoses three clubs and a couple of others that no longer are active in our community. The ancestors of those clubs and many current members worked long and hard thru various fund raisers to pay for that land. They do own the property. "

" I said it was TIME FOR A CHANGE!!! I didnt say it was going to happen. Several people have tried to make a difference and now it will just take TIME. The city will figure out a way to make things happen until then we will continue to lose children to other cities when they go to play ball. Sounds like several of you have done your homework and want to make sure it stays the same so that makes me wonder---WHY????? "

" Why is because the City has presented no plan to manage the programs or the property to the current owners of the property The only thing the City has said is "Give us your land"-"Give us your programs"- "Give us all of the improvements you have done to Your property for the past 20 years" and we will try and figure out a way to run it. Do you consider that a proposal that you would consider? "

" The city doesn't run anything. They let volunteers do all of the work and the City finds a way to take credit. They don't want the baseball program, they just want you to think they do. They had the football program begging them to take it over, but they say they cannot afford to hire someone to run it. Who said you have to hire someone? That's not an excuse. Who got paid to run it for the last 8 years? It wouldn't cost the City a dime, the application fees run the program along with a little volunteer help, of which would still be there if the City would take some responsibility. Let them have the baseball and see how fast it goes. The truth is, money and time are small issues compared to what it really takes to run these programs. It takes heart and a passion for these kids. Based on what has actually been done for these programs over the past several years, you can almost count on one hand how many people actually have the heart. Think about it. It's easy to write and complain, but it takes a little effort to get off of your rear end and try to make a differnce. Stop taking up for the City until you know the facts. "