To the editor:

Citizens and especially parents of Maxton, our children need your support in getting the Old Maxton High School Gym for a recreational facility.

This building has been promised to the community of more than 20 years. It has been known around town and the county that once Townsend Middle School had a new gym, the old Maxton High School Gum would be given to the town. This is common practice throughout Robeson County.

Commissioner Hubert Sealey, our district commissioner for the past 10 years, has given his full support. Other county commissioners have given their support in this effort. Noah Woods has known from the beginning and promised his support, others include Raymond Cummings, Roger Oxendine, and Jerry Stephens.

This transfer of the old gym to the town was in the process of happening until Town Commissioner James McDougal went to the county commissioners and county school board and told them that the town could not afford the building. It appears he wants to buy the old gym himself.

He had no right to speak for the town.

The Old Gym was in the process of being transferred to the county to be leased to the town. When McDougal and the other town commissioners were asked to give consent to adding the building to its insurance policy, — McDougal was the only one to vote against this.

Keep in mind he is suppose to be for improving and the betterment of the town and its youth. McDougal is undermining you, me, and the youth of an opportunity to have a much needed recreational facility. Even when one such as a public figure doesn’t agree for personal reasons, one usually thinks of the greater good and does the right thing. McDougal didn’t. He voted no.

To the Robeson County School Board, the County Commissioners of Robeson County, James McDougal, and anyone else with a listening ear, we the citizens of Maxton need this facility. The county commissioners have done it for other communities, including Southside in Rowland for the Alumni tom use as a community building.

Why not give the building to Maxton when each person involved knows it’s needed, wanted, and the right thing to do? Above all, Maxton can afford the building. McDougal is not the town and cannot speak for the town — there are four others that have a voice and they say we can afford the building.

Having a recreational facility in our town will help produce more productive citizens because, to have a healthy mind one needs healthy body. Recreation is inclusive of many things, one being activities that increase participation for health and social skills and active participation throughout one’s life. All involved I say again - just do the right thing.

Effie Nicholson McEachin

Maxton