Minutes 12/14/1976 - Laserfiche WebLink

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30i TUESDAY DECEMBER 14, 1976 ,-- In October, 1967, A Study of Parks and Recreation in Martinsvi1le was prepared by the National Recreation and Park Association. The study concluded, among other things, that Martinsvi11e had a popular competitive athletic recreation program, but there was a need to "expand the organized recreation program to include activities which serve not only youth interested in athletics, but all age groups of both sexes, the ill, handicapped, economically deprived, and other segments of the community." One of the study's recommendations was a "program designed specifically for the senior citizens age group....Suggested activities included discussion groups, forums, special dances, bridge, picnics, tours, entertainment programs, community sings, shuffleboard, special community service." Presently, Martinsville's City Council has appropriated $93,619 for the Recreation Department which serves 47 youth baseball teams composed of 705 boys, 40 softball teams with 600 participants, 8 youth football teams with 250-300 participants, 56 basketball teams consisting of 400 boys and 200 adults. Herb Hughes, City Recreation Director, feels that the City did not offer a well-balanced recreation program. On December 9, 1976, Mr. Hughes stated, "The City has always been athletically inclined in its recreation program. A good recreation program is suppose to serve all ages and interest groups. If you aren't doing that, you aren't doing the complete job, and I don't think we were doing that. I am interested in providing a program that meets the needs of all of the citizens.1I History Of The Program In Martinsvi1le: <,,,- On February 25, 1975, Council discussed the West Piedmont Plan for Senior Citizens which would set up an Area Agency on Aging within the Planning District. No vote was taken because the Plan had not been approved by other local jurisdictions due primarily to the fact that the planned Area Agency had too much autonomy; it could initiate programs and determine program directions in local jurisdictions. Three months later, on May 6, 1975, Council voted unanimously to direct George Brown to determine if the city could participate in the program on a voluntary basis with local jurisdictions, with the establishment of an Area Agency that, contrary to the WPPD proposal, would serve as a "Clearing House"; that is, an instrument of policy and demand as determined by the local governing bodies, rather than a policy-making body. It was necessary to establish an Area Agency in order to receive funding.