Reader sees problems in Vernon

To the editor,

Since I live here in Vernon, I am a confused resident.

Here is the problem... I read in the paper about the Vernon Volunteer Fire Department bumming for monies for donations. But it did not say for photography portraits.

This gentleman came to my residence door and said he was from Escambia County and was helping out Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for donations. The gentleman did not ask or inform me of any portraits just asked for money for the Vernon Fire Department.

I do not know why the Vernon Fire Department is bumming money off of the community and outside the community when the County gave them over $50,000 last year for their budget. It sounds like there is no uniformity or supervision when it comes to the City Council.

If the City Council cannot address simple matters or handle their business I believe there should not be a City Council or get someone in office that can do the job.

It seems this community keeps electing the same officials every two years, maybe because of favoritism and kinfolks connection that keep them in office.

The city of Vernon being small, it should not take such a big effort to work as a team and get something important accomplished.

My other concern is the Shady Oaks baseball/walking park/bathroom. The city of Vernon is supposed to maintain this area I thought.

I walk around the exercise trail, the signs on the individual stations are faded and the trail is bad it is not even cut half the time.

The bathroom has graffiti and smells like a bad truck stop, the sanitation department would condemn the bathroom if they had come out.

I believe it should be kept clean, how would you like your children to come to play at the park and could not go in that bathroom and be forced to get in he car and drive down to the Tom Thumb or neighbors house and use their bathroom...I thought this was a good area to live in but I have second thoughts.

Loraine Gerken

Vernon