Optimist-Outlook-12/25/08

Marianna Optimist Club Activities
By Don Jones - December 16th, 2008
"Sometimes it’s Not Just Semantics!"

A distinct pleasure and major highlight of the evening at Marianna Optimist Club’s Annual Christmas Party, recently held at the Wesley Center, Marianna’s First United Methodist Church, was when the club president made the presentation of a commission check to the City Manager, Jim Dean, and City Parks and Recreation Department Director, Clay Wells, for proceeds earned thru the sale of concessions at Optimist Park.
The check, not only helps defray a small amount of the expenses necessary to operate the park, it represents the high degree of cooperation between the City Officials, including the City Mayor, City and County Commissioners, as well as, the City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and all Marianna Civic Clubs. It is this spirit of cooperation and concerted effort on behalf of the City and County Officials coupled with the Marianna Optimist Club’s vision for a first class recreational facility for the enjoyment of the local youth and residents that has made the Marianna Optimist Park the reality it is today.
The MERE Project, as it was called, prior to its completion in April of 1987, was dedicated to the youth of Jackson County by the then Governor of Florida, Robert "Bob" Martinez and was renamed "Optimist Park". Since that date many young athletes have passed thru the gates of this exceptional sporting facility with its well appointed ball fields, on their way to adulthood. Today, many of those young athletes are themselves parents who bring their children to Optimist Park to enjoy. It’s hoped that this trend will continue far into the future. Our club is proud the park carries our name.