Private Park Patrons - 1; Municiple Grounds Keepers - 0

So, the return home for Thanksgiving was not without its difficulties. Such subjects have been hinted at already. But despite transportation issues, we were still able to get in a few good rounds at Sertoma. "We" being Pappy, Mike, Don and myself. I had never played with Don before, at least never with any sort of competancy. It was enjoyable to say the least. It had been some time since I had last played, but once I got rid of the rust, the experience proved to be fairly satisfying... for all.

Now, if you stop by the Cold Lamp very often, you will recall an article Mike wrote concerning the new face of Sertoma. Well, I am here to tell you that the back three look much better than before. After all, the place was only mowed once or twice the entire summer. I never used a spotter as liberally as I did back there. But now, the area is very trim and the trees are a lovely addition. My only peave is the removal of the brush at the end of the out-cropping on hole 7, but I'll get over it.

I was very proud (if not consternated that they did it at the end of good weather) of the parks department for doing their prescribed duties for the upkeep of the park. Their track record has always been a bit spotty. But word-round-the-lamp has it that the new hair cut is not the result of the parks department. Instead, a private citizen took it upon himself to do the necessary maintainence of the grounds.

I am a bit put out by the entire situation. I understand the difficulty involved in mowing that area, but let us look at it in light of a few other tidbits of information, shall we?:

• You are already in the area. I know for a fact that the bottom of the hill receives regular visits in order to keep the playground area open to all. If this is your primary focal point, that's fine, but take a look up the hill occassionally.
• You are already mowing the course. Yes, holes 1 & 2 are taken care of by the playground area. But by some wacky happen-stance, you find little difficulty in maintaining hole 3 and its mountainous ascent with little difficulty. Nay, you find little difficulty in maintaining everything up to and including hole 6.
• You are already mowing the back part. Don't think I don't see the meager offerings you give us in the back; we appreciate them. But forgive us if we don't get overjoyed at the new 3 ft wide stripe down the middle of the fairway. Don't get me wrong, I don't even want the whole thing mowed. A fairway is a fairway for a reason. But one can hardly refer to what you provide as anything remotely effective.
• Oh, and did I mention... its your job! I know how enticing the pull to ignore your responsibilities is, however, as your job description declares, the responsibility for park upkeep is in your hands. Now please use those hands to do your job and maintain the parks.

I find it truly unfortunate that a private citizen was upset enough with their performance as to do the job of a government agency. For shame.

At any rate, let's raise up our glasses and give a Cold Lampin' salute to our unknown mower buddy. Cheers!

"I blame it on the rain"

~Diggs

Song of the Week: "One and Only" by Teitur