A three-on-three basketball tournament in Dumfries was billed as a big community event.
It was held Saturday, May 16, and it was anything but, according to Mayor Jerry Foreman.
“We had three middle-schoolers, three highs-schoolers, and some adults there. I call them adults because they had already graduated high school,” said Foreman.
Instead of a tournament, the event quickly turned into a coaching clinic due to a small turnout of participants. And that sparked a debate over the future of the town’s parks and recreation commission. Not yet 2-years-old, the commission plans events like these and others, like outdoor concerts and movies on the lawn.
Dumfries Councilman Derrick Wood pushed for the creation of the Commission and serves as its Chairman. He said the basketball tournament was the first parks and recreation event that fizzled. Wood said he didn’t attend because he had to work his day job.
The Mayor and other members of the Town Council have repeatedly called for a listing of events to be held by the parks and recreation commission for the next 30 and 60 days. The list would also track the interest of community members and business vendors, and could give town officials a better idea if an event is going to be successful, or if they should call it off.
“What’s the measure of success?” asked Wood. “If it’s just one or two citizens that come out and participate – as long as we’re planning and holding these events – I think we are a success.”
Councilwoman Gwen Washington said event attendance is an important measure of the success or failure of events. She also called for producing more printed fliers to advertise town events and then distributing them to school children so they can bring them home to parents.
Councilman Cliff Brewer cited a recently-passed town zoning ordinance that prohibited town officials from hanging up a banner across Main Street or attached to the outside wall of Town Hall to advertise events to passersby.
“We can’t even advertise our own events here. We’re pretty much cutting our own legs off,” said Brewer.
Wood said his parks and recreation commission needs to fill two positions on the board, and that would help the Commission better plan and execute events.
That could come as a help to town staff who have apparently been overworked, taking on more responsibilities to assist with Parks and Recreation events. Especially Dumfries Director of Community Services Ryan Gandy.
“I fear I am going to lose Mr. Gandy,” said Town Manager Daniel Taber. “He’s looking for another job. He hasn’t told me that. Others have.”
Taber presented a series of emails to the Town Council he says showed Gandy attempting to obtain information in an attempt to help coordinate parks and recreation events. All fell on deaf ears, said Taber.
The Dumfries Parks and Recreation Commission was scheduled to meet Wednesday night, May 20. A report about their meeting is slated to be reviewed at the next Town Council meeting on June 2.
