By John Howell Sr.

The concession stand and restrooms building at Trussell Park will undergo a facelift instead of replacement.

Batesville aldermen voted 4 to 1 at the March 1 meeting for City Parks and Recreation director Robert Lightsey to solicit price estimates for painting and other cosmetic improvements after the low bid for construction of new facilities exceeded estimates by over $20,000.

Alderman-at-Large Teddy Morrow cast the lone nay vote. Morrow, during a February meeting, had cited the inadequacy of the current facility when the park hosts softball tournaments patronized by large numbers of out-of-town team members and fans.

Aldermen told Lightsey to move quickly to get quotes and begin work.

“I think we need to do something now,” Alderman Bill Dugger said. Following further discussion, aldermen cast the 4-1 vote to reject the replacement bid. Morrow joined fellow aldermen Dugger, Eddie Nabors, Stan Harrison and Ted Stewart to approve unanimously an authorization for Lightsey to obtain quotes for the cosmetic repairs.

In other business, aldermen approved:

•    A request by Boys and Girls Club of Northwest Mississippi Director Belinda Morris for a resolution for the organization’s continued use of the old National Guard armory building. The city resolution supports the building’s continued use by the Boys and Girls Club for another five years. Morris said the resolution will be presented, along with a similar resolution from Panola County supervisors, to the Mississippi Legislature in support of local and private legislation to authorize the jointly-owned structure to serve in its current capacity;

•    A request by Linda Mitchell for use of Tiger Drive for a 5K walk on March 16. Mitchell made the request on behalf of the First Community Outreach Ministry Services;

•    A request by the American Cancer Society to hold the Relay for Life fund-raising event from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. May 29 and 30.