The Jason T. Harper Event Center
The Jason T. Harper Event Center is located at Heritage Park in McDonough. From the Herald:
"It was quite a surprise to me," said Harper. "As I prepare to leave office, it is an honor to have something at Heritage Park bear my name, because the development of the park has been extremely important to me, both as a district and as a chairman."Harper said, "My vision for Heritage Park was to create a park whereby there would be passive and active recreational activities to serve the needs of all citizens, whether young or old."The event center was dedicated on May 7. It is 39,958 square feet, and serves as a venue for concerts, festivals, rodeos and movie nights.
The center, which contains concession stands, bathrooms and bleachers, has a built-in capacity of 1,764, but can accommodate 4,000 people by adding tables and chairs on the floor of the building. More than $3 million was set aside in the county budget to construct it.
"Hopefully, the event center will bring [more] quality entertainment for the community," said [Commissioner BJ] Mathis.
My only comment would be to closely examine the $3 million claim. Like Nash Farm, budgets of individual departments - no line item accounting - must be tallied. And don't forget the SPLOST accounts.
There is no problem with the county (i.e., taxpayers) creating a first-class entertainment/park facility. But I have always had a problem naming roads, buildings, etc. after living people.
Comments
Its my understanding from the AQHA that this arena does not meet the dimensional requirements for most NPRA and PRCA events and being limited by the capacity or 1764 seats it would be cost prohibited to cover the floor with 12 inches of compacted soil to allow for 3 inches of tilled "soft" soil that is required.
In most PRA events the venue is owned by a private group or individual not funded by taxpayers thus are required to be operated at a profit or go broke.
As with most government financed parks and recreation centers these facilities are nothing more than money pits that sate the egos of those who have saddled the taxpayer so they can have a bronze plaque with their name on it.
I can hardly wait for the new performing arts center and the dog and cat fight that will take place to see who gets their name on the door. After all its all about public service.
And by the way Larry "Old Guard" which my son was a member of, is the very elite army unit that guards the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier not a political legacy that you made mention of in a now closed previous post. Please don't include their honored name which they earned by training and deeds most of the politicians in Henry County have only read about in the AJC and never had the courage to participate in. It is an insult to these men to compare them to anything political as they are men of honor.
Don
Posted by: Don | May 21, 2008 10:31 AM
Why do we name things after people who are still alive? Nobody knows right now what Harper's legacy to the county will be. It good be good and worthy of some type of honor, or decisions made by this BOC could turn us into Clayton County...
Posted by: Pine Tree Jim | May 21, 2008 10:59 AM
Didn't they name a chicken sandwich after Larry at some restaurant by his house?
Posted by: Ole fart | May 21, 2008 03:30 PM
Mr. Fart, it was not a sandwich. It was Uncle Stanley's Chicken Parmigiana. I highly recommend it. The entré is served with garlic toast and a side salad - and it's quite good.
Oh, and it did not cost taxpayers one cent!
Posted by: Larry Stanley | May 21, 2008 04:13 PM
You know this meal sounds good. (Maybe one day Obe wan, Yoda, Chewy, and Jabba
can try it out.)
The Doctor
Posted by: The Doctor | May 21, 2008 05:14 PM
The naming of buildings, parks, etc. has gotten out of hand. It is so frequent now, the effect of showing true tribute to honor is lost.
Posted by: Curious | May 21, 2008 06:35 PM
I drove by and saw this sign today and it made my blood pressure go through the roof. I have had a run in with this man, and in my opinion, he absolutely has a whole lot of people fooled. Wake up Henry County!!!
Posted by: WiseOne | September 14, 2008 07:47 PM