Interesting article that appeared in Mt. Pleasant's Moultrie News.
Heavy rains last month put a damper on the town’s soccer fields and almost soccer tournament scheduled that if canceled would have been because of a rainout for the third year in a row.
Recreation Department Director Ken Ayoub had to make the tough decision as to whether or not to let the show go on.
He did, after some heated discussion between soccer booster club representatives and recreation officials.
The result, however is long term damage to some of the soccer fields.
Ayoub had to look at all the factors involved despite the fact that he was essentially put into a no-win situation.
And for a short term gain, the town now faces a long term loss and Mount Pleasant Public Works employees face the task of repairing the fields.
Town Administrator Mac Burdette told the Recreation Committee he would like to create a policy for the future that would address situations like this making it absolutely clear to all parties involved, why certain decisions are made when inclement weather threatens team or tournament play.
“We need to sit down with the booster clubs and decide whether our obligation is to the event or to our fields and determine how to put a measurement on that,” he said.
Burdette explained that there’s going to be someone upset, but when the director calls for play to cease, play will cease. The importance of the policy, he explained, is that every one involved will know why such a decision was made.
Committee member Billy Swails argued that common sense should be the main factor in this type of decision making.
“When it rains it rains. That should be one of those things that most people should understand,” he said.
Burdette explained that any policy would not be full proof, and he would like to see recreation staff work with all booster club representatives to create a solid, established policy with considerations that will come into play and reasonable factors that will be considered.
Ayoub said that the overriding factor for his most recent decision was so the tournament was not canceled for a third consecutive year.
But moving forward he will suggest that the number of teams be limited, the tournament date be moved and multiple sites be used.
The committee did not make a decision on this item, rather they asked that a policy be put together and presented once complete.
Last edited by Fireant; 11/06/08 07:22 PM.
