Dear Editor,
When the opportunity to improve the Yazoo Community Complex became available, I knew that it was going to be a challenge. The city didn’t have the funds to restore the building, but I was convinced that this something our community really needed.
My wife and I prayed about it, and we decided that we would start tithing, and use the money to improve the facility. That’s God’s money, and we felt like this was a job that God wanted us to do.
I started with the grounds and the landscaping. Then we began focusing on the interior of the building. Before long we were regularly hosting community events.
We added later added office space to the buildings, and now the city’s building inspector and safety manager have their offices in the building.
I must give credit to Mayor Diane Delaware for helping me realize that it was important to have a vision of where we wanted to go and then a plan of how to work toward achieving those goals.
The next step is to establish a recreation program that starts with 3,4 and five-year-olds and an additional program for senior citizens. We are going to meet with senior citizens in the community to determine what kind of recreation programs they desire.
These programs are going to be educational, recreational and faith-based. I am hoping that the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors will help fund this program that is much needed in our community.
Bringing new recreation and education opportunities at the community complex is just the beginning of what I envision for our community. I want to see these programs established in the county as well so that they are available to children and senior citizens who might otherwise not have these opportunities.
The success we’ve enjoyed so far at the community complex is just the beginning. We are going to continue working to improve the quality of life in our community.
Coach Johnny Staples
