Dear Editor,

Earlier this month the City of Greenville hosted the Alabama Dixie Debs and Dixie Belles State Tournaments at our local Sportsplex to great reviews from state officials. At this time I would like to thank those who helped make the two tournaments a success and helped shine a positive light on our community.

Many local businesses stepped up to the plate for us and contributed coupons and discount offers that helped the visiting teams pay for meals during their stay. Others bought ads in our game program to show their support and as is always the case, management at our local hotels cooperated with us from the time we took on this project last fall until its conclusion. We appreciate all of you more than you will ever know.

The Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce helped coordinate the advertising for our game program and also played a key role in soliciting businesses for help. We are thankful for the role they played in the tournament.

GEMS Ambulance Service was with us from the beginning of the tournament to the end dealing with any injuries or heat related incidents that occurred. The Garlock family has long been supporters of our program and we are grateful for the help they provide us each year at tournament time.

To the leadership and membership of First Baptist Church, thank you for bailing us out when we ran into technical difficulties with our original site for the opening night dinner. You let us take over your outstanding fellowship hall for a day and we sincerely appreciate you opening your doors to us and 150 girls and coaches at the last minute.

The local media promoted our event and kept it fresh on local residents’ minds. Thanks to their efforts we had larger than expected crowds and outstanding community support. Trust me when I say that the people responsible for awarding future tournaments to cities take note of things like that.

To our colleagues with the City of Greenville, thank you so much for your help. I wish the public could see how the various departments under local government’s umbrella rally around each other when the need arises to help our city put its best foot forward. I am proud to work with such dedicated individuals who love Greenville as much as I do.

Councilman Ed Sims, liaison to the parks and recreation department, played a huge role in this tournament as he always does. As tournament coordinator he took charge of many pretournament projects and we are fortunate to have him overseeing our athletic program. Our other councilmembers and Mayor Dexter McLendon also threw their support behind these tournaments when we were asked to be hosts in October and we appreciate all they did for us.

Last but not least, I would like to thank our staff at the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department. While we don’t have the number of employees some of our counterparts have in other cities around southeast Alabama, we do have people who are committed to doing things right. You had to fight your way through three days of rain and heat and I appreciate the hard work and many hours you logged to make these two tournaments successful.

Once again, thank you Greenville. As you always do you came through for us when we needed you and we sincerely appreciate it. With your help we look forward to more projects like this that bring visitors and tax dollars to our city in the future.

 

Sincerely,

Gregg V. Fuller

Greenville Parks and Recreation