The Kilmichael Board of Alderman Special Meeting Thursday evening, June 13, tackled a major town issue regarding the community park. Originally, the meeting was convened for the Board to approve quotes for various projects around town, for both supplies and labor. However, when Mayor Mark Lawson asked for the Chief of Police Barry Gregg’s report on recent town affairs, he informed the Board of an unfortunate accident that happened on the town playground.
As the Police Chief described it, he responded to a request for a police report to be taken that morning, June 13. A woman reported that her young three-year-old daughter had fallen down on the playground the afternoon before, Wednesday, June 12, around 3 p.m. Her daughter had hit her head, right above her eye, on an unknown object on the playground. She reportedly took her child to the hospital where she received treatment for her wound. After taking the mother’s statement, Chief Gregg went to the playground and took pictures of the area. He also spoke with the child and mother at the scene to get a better understanding of where the girl fell. In addition, he took a picture of the child’s injury. All of the pictures taken at the scene were presented to the Board. Chief Gregg also reported that he and the Public Works Director Josh Pearson walked the area of the playground, looking for the exact location of where the girl was reportedly hurt, however, they did not find any blood.
Following his report, a heated discussion ensued about the Board’s plan of action in addressing the issue to prevent future accidents.
“We need to look at whatever safety precautions or regulations [there are] today for playgrounds…” Chief Gregg suggested after discussing the state of the playground, having explained the history of repairs done to it in the past.
“I’ll give you the easiest safety precaution that we’ve got. Take the thing down,” Mayor Mark Lawson stated, addressing the issue head on. “Here’s my thinking. If they continue to break it and we continue to have to engineer it to make it work, and we’ve got people hurt, take the thing out,” he explained, responding to the constant repairs that are needed on the playground equipment.
While the rest of the Board seemed to acknowledge the hazards of the older equipment, they were reluctant to agree with the idea of removing the playset altogether.
“Maybe we can look at putting some better quality equipment there that will be a little harder to tear up,” Alderman Matt Bennett suggested. “That is where the majority of the kids in town are and I’d like for them to have a place to go and play.”
Mayor Lawson agreed with the idea of looking into better equipment.
“I’m kind of like the Mayor, but, get something that’s gonna last,” Alderman Bernard Daniels weighed in.
Mayor Lawson suggested looking into playsets made of thick rounded plastic for a safer play area for the children that would be durable as well, stating, “I’m not opposed to putting something else out there.”
“If we tear it down, how are we going to afford to replace it?” Alderman Daniels asked.
Alderman Bennett suggested addressing what needs to be removed from the current playset first, and handling it as soon as possible to prevent any more injuries in the meantime, without doing away with the entire set.
Two points the Board emphasized in the discussion were parental supervision and the age restriction for the equipment. The Board emphasized the importance of parents being present on the playground while their children are playing to help ensure the children are playing safely. In addition, they addressed the issue of teenagers using playground equipment that is intended for smaller children, which can cause wear and tear on the equipment, stating that teens are not to climb on the playset to help prevent this.
At the end of the meeting, Mayor Lawson regretfully informed the Board that he does not intend to run for the next term of Mayor, stating that he will be devoting more time to his full time job and family.
“It doesn’t stop,” he explained the constraint. “I’m trying to do the best that I can being the mayor, and being a state employee, and being a husband as well.”
“I definitely appreciate everybody here and what we do. And, if I could run for Mayor for the next 25 or 30 years, I would. Because I love working with you guys and I love each and every one of you,” he addressed the Board directly.
In other news, the Board:
• Approved the purchase of filter repair supplies in the amount of $2,925.
• Approved the purchase of rock at the amount of $52.50 per ton.
• Approved the quote for lowering gas lines on Highway 82 in the amount of $34,000.
• Agreed to pay $2,000 down payment for adopting a new tax collection service.
• Agreed to pay $100 for the use of the City Hall Post Office Box in 2023.
• Heard Alderman Earnest Curtis Jr’s concerns regarding the importance of calling 811 before digging, as it can prevent the possibility of damaging water lines or causing fires by damaging gas lines.
