Hawkins City Council
Youth park soccer fields sought;
New petition against oil derrick
By JOHN SPARKS

Meeting in regular session, Monday, February 19, the Hawkins City Council heard of plans to develop three soccer fields at the youth athletic park and again debated the issue of the oil derrick. The council also set Saturday, May 12, 2007 as Election Day for residents to select two council members.
 

Linda Smith advised the council that parents involved in the Hawkins Youth Sports were planning on developing three soccer fields at the youth athletic park. The work will involve the removal of several trees on existing park land and some dirt leveling. Two fields are planned for the east side of the park, while a smaller one is planned for the west side. Smith said nearly 200 area youth participate in soccer. Previously, the youth had practiced and played on fields at the Hawkins IDS campus, but with construction of new facilities underway there this year alternate arrangements had to be made. Smith said the restrooms at the youth park will also be reworked for the season.
 

Just as she had at the January meeting, Earlene Maricle expressed concern about children being tempted to climb the oil derrick and the dangers of them falling or jumping to injuries, even death. And, once again she brought forth a petition regarding the oil derrick which had been erected in the downtown city park in October 2006.
 

Carrie Meadows also spoke on the derrick issue, saying she does not like the location of the derrick; she is also troubled by the lights staying on so late into the night.
 

Mayor Sam Bradley advised that warning signs had been placed on the derrick and repeated that both the city attorney and the insurance carrier had expressed no particular concern about the safety issues of the derrick.
 

The council called for applications for two council seats in the 2007 election which will be held on Saturday, May 12. Mayor Bradley said the city and the school district are expected to share voting equipment from the county with Election Day voting to be held together this year.
 

Frank Rucker has retired from service on the Wood County Industrial Commission as a board of director representative from Hawkins. The council selected Aaron Brown to replace Rucker.
 

The council also proclaimed February as African-American History Month
In other action, the council approved:

- the hiring of a utility employee.
- permit for manufactured home for Mary Morgan (pending final inspection by Fire Marshal).