Despite pleas from citizens, Burns Commission votes to donate skate park to White Bluff

Despite pleas from citizens to keep it open, an assurance that it is completely covered from its insurance agent and a proposal to organize volunteer supervision, the Burns Board of Commissioners voted Monday night to close its skate park and donate the equipment to the town of White Bluff. Following an hour-long public hearing, the commission unanimously rescinded last month’s 4-1 vote to “sell off” the mostly donated equipment of the five-year-old park. The commission then voted 3-2 to donate the equipment to White Bluff with Mayor Landon Mathis casting the deciding vote. Commissioner Shot Grove was the only member to change his vote, switching from supporting closing the park last month to joining Chris Holland in voting against Bill Allen’s motion to give the equipment away. During the public hearing, about a dozen citizens implored the board to keep the skate park as an activity for youth in the area. Town officials cited worries about liability, problems enforcing safety equipment rules, cursing by youth at the park, trash left at the park and evidence of possible alcohol and drug use at the park as reasons for wanting to close it. Kyle Ruf of First Insurance Partners, the town’s insurance agent, told the commission the town is covered for any liability through its policy with the Tennessee Municipal League. “From an insurance standpoint, it’s much ado about nothing,” Ruf said. Commissioner Chris Holland offered to head up a committee of volunteers that would work to clean up and provide supervision at the park. Several citizens said the problems with trash, alcohol, drug use, foul language and other complaints are no different than what happens at other park facilities. Mathis said he has been contacted by Mayor Linda Hayes about White Bluff’s interest in acquiring the skate park equipment. Following the commission’s vote to donate the park equipment, attorney Tim Potter said the transaction would be contingent on the White Bluff Town Council voting to accept it. The White Bluff council meets tonight but there is nothing about the skate park on its agenda.