Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Gary Hamilton, owner of Hamilton Auto, speaks to the Parks and Rec Committee Tuesday night during their special meeting. Hamilton offered to pay all youth user fees at $5 per kid, per season.
Clovis car dealer Gary Hamilton is a big fan of children competing in sports.
"If we've got more kids doing wholesome things, we've got less crime," he said.
And he's willing to invest in his beliefs.
If the city agrees to implement a $5 fee for each child in sports leagues using city fields, Hamilton told the city parks committee on Tuesday that he will pay those fees.
"I believe that the priority should be kids ... they should all be funded first," he said in an interview with The News on Friday.
"A lot of them don't have parents. Kids don't have the resources (to pay to play in sports leagues). It just breaks my heart. I've always given back."
Hamilton said he's talked with city officials and "I did the math."
He estimates it will cost somewhere between $30,000 and $60,000 per year to cover the fees.
"If it was $100,000 a year, I'd still do it. It's the right thing to do," he said.
Clovis City Manager Justin Howalt said he hasn't "figured out the logistics yet," but Hamilton can make the donation.
"We would just have the leagues report to us the number of participants like usual and then (send an) invoice."
City commissioners on Feb. 2 approved a $50 parks-use fee on the recommendation of the city's parks and recreation committee. After fielding multiple complaints, the parks committee met again Tuesday and decided to recommend lowering that $50 fee to $5 for children.
The city commission meets again March 9 to consider the new recommendation.
