Soccer fields leveled; Other improvements At youth sports park
By JOHN SPARKS

Meeting in regular session Tuesday, December 4, the board of directors of the Hawkins Community Development Corporation heard a report regarding on-going work at the Hawkins Sports Park and heard an appeal for additional funds to complete Christmas decorating projects for the City.

Mayor Sam Bradley reported that 6,000 cubic yards of dirt had been relocated from the campus of Hawkins Independent School System to the Hawkins Youth Sports Association Park where Wood County Precinct-3 workers have completed a dirt-moving project creating three soccer fields. Bradley also said drainage systems have been completed, irrigation systems installed, grass seed sowed and the tractor repaired.
HCDC directors discussed the need for bleachers and for hydro-mulching on the sports fields at the park.
 

Jerry Jones, treasurer, reported a cash balance of $9,612.29 for HCDC at the end of November.
 

Gary McKinley of the Wood County Industrial Commission advised the board that three new sales tax permits were submitted for Hawkins in November and said tourism statistics for the third quarter were most encouraging citing an 8.4 percent in occupancy rates at guest facilities in Hawkins/Holly Lake. And tourism generated receipts up 77 percent over the same quarter in 2006.
 

Bob Schneider, representing the Hawkins Area Chamber of Commerce, sought additional funding for the Christmas lighting and decorating project. Board members suggested that the HCDC has a limit of 10 percent of its funds available for such projects. They agreed to review expenditures and advise if any additional funds are available.
 

The next meeting of the HCDC is scheduled for Tuesday, January 8 at 4 p.m. A special meeting of the board can be called with 72-hours public notice.