By Bob Steiner

Yesterday was the first day of Autumn. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I looked outside at my patio thermometer and saw that the outside temperature was hovering right at 32 degrees. Being retired, my first inclination was to go back to bed but then I remembered that today was the day that the ground breaking ceremony for the new soccer field was to take  place.  Located at Section 16 ”  the field is just North of Edgewood Grade School on SR 344.  While the town has owned land there for several years I was beginning to wonder if they going to ever do any development there. In any event, I did manage to get up , climb in my old 4×4 , and arrive at the ceremony with plenty of time to spare.

At the field  I met “always there-always prepared” Roger Holden, the  town’s fantastic Parks and Recreation Manager.  It seems that no matter the task given, this hands on manager is equal to the job.  With the presence of construction equipment in the background, Roger gave me a brief orientation on how the site will develop.  Of particular interest to me was the park that would be located to the West of the field.

As we talked, others began to arrive and the honored guests (VOLUNTEERS and political representatives) ,after greeting each other, started to line up on a raised dirt bank which was to serve as a stage for the event.  Mayor Stearley was in good voice   and acted as  host . He quickly proceeded to introduce the honored guests and gave them an opportunity to describe  their participation in  the project.

Senator Sue Wilson-Beffort highlighted the political guests present. With her being the ranking Republican member on the Legislative Finance committee, despite the  current economic conditions, she expended a lot of hard work and was able to come up with the funds needed to get this project under way. House Representative Rhonda King was also very helpful, as was her brother, Jerry King, of the State Land Office.  Rita Loy Simmons represented  the town council and the list of VOLUNTEERS present included Mario Burgos and Bill Batie representing an area soccer league. Both Burgos  and Batie, along with other soccer league members have worked on this project for several years.  Chuck Ring, a regular VOLUNTEER for the community, who had helped the project team  on several issues, was also there.   Yes, there were many other VOLUNTEERS present, but at the risk of leaving someone out , I won’t even attempt to name them all.

Not present,  but deserving recognition was Karen Mahalick, the town planner,  who  kept the paper work flowing to the various agencies.  While her contributions to the team effort were not known to most people, quietly working behind the scenes, VOLUNTEER Sue West , the “conscience of our town”, was also instrumental in helping the project move forward.

With regard to the ceremony, itself, once those on the “podium”  finished speaking, they picked up shovels  and proceeded to penetrate  the ground and remove the traditional “first shovel” of soil.  While the ceremony was brief, it really was impressive.  Here we have one of the basic tenets of American Life, citizens (VOLUNTEERs and politicians) working together.

My one regret was that a certain  citizen was not present. At a recent town council meeting, this person, a town councilor,  seemed less than complimentary to our  town’s VOLUNTEERs and even criticized the lack of  control exercised over VOLUNTEERs by town staff.  Perhaps if this person had heard first hand the comments  made by those present at the ceremony, his outlook might be more positive? In any event, the town  continues to move forward. Congratulations to all those who have helped make the soccer field a viable project!