BY ROGER SMITH
MOUNTAIN CITIZEN
“I make a motion that our community gym is not for lease by anybody.” –Tammy Preece Hodge
KERMIT, W.Va. — Kermit Town Council members promptly agreed Monday not to lease their community gymnasium to a private business.
Councilwoman Tammy Preece Hodge opened the discussion by saying she heard a lease with the Inez-based On Point Ballers was a “done deal.”
Mayor Charles Sparks told Hodge that he did not agree to a lease and could not agree because that would be the council’s decision.
“That would interfere with our Little League, cheerleading, Kermit Elementary that uses the gym and Kermit Middle School,” Hodge said. “I think it’s a recruiting tool, and I know they’ve already contacted a couple of kids at Tug Valley trying to get them to come over there.
“I have nothing against it,” she added. “My grandson goes to On Point Ballers and Carla Booth is fantastic, but that’s a business for profit, and they’ve got four gyms in Martin County.”
Councilman Wilburn “Hawky” Preece maintains the gym in the old Kermit High School and volunteers his time to open it for the community from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. each Wednesday and Thursday.
“Tug Valley uses it,” he said. “And the way they’re talking, they want it seven days a week.”
“I make a motion that our community gym is not for lease by anybody,” stated Hodge. “It’s to be used for our children’s sports. This just stops it before the next time they want to come and ask. We’ve got to take care of our children and our feeder schools.”
Preece agreed.
“I’m not for leasing our gym for anything,” he said.