Stand for the invocation and pledge of allegiance. Heavenly Father, we give thanks and praise to you for the opportunity to gather here this morning on this first meeting of a brand new year 2026. We're so grateful to you, Lord, for allowing
us to be of service to our community, and for all of its people. We are so grateful for the responsibility you have entrusted into us, our staff, our commissioners, and everybody who labor in the public good. We ask for wisdom
and clarity and integrity as we make decisions. Those decisions that affect our families and our neighborhoods and our businesses, the future generations. May each decision and meeting be guided by respect, fairness, and a sincere
commitment to the well-being of the entire community. Grant us patience when challenges arrive and courage when difficult choices must be made. Let us stand with unity even when our perspectives differ. May this board
conduct its work with honesty, compassion, and a spirit of cooperation. As we begin this brand new year, may our efforts contribute to safety, prosperity, and hope throughout the county. And may our actions today and throughout this new year reflect the
values, responsibility, and care for one another. Lord, we ask a special blessing of comfort to those who've lost loved ones during the holidays. I ask a special blessing for our sister community of Ocala for the loss of Commissioner Mary Rich and the family of
our local community, former MA math teacher, U Minister Clarence Williams. Now Lord, we give thanks and praise to you for your many blessings and we honor you in Jesus name we pray. Amen. >> Amen.
To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you all for being here today. Um,
are there any uh public comments? I have not received any cards. Um, do you have any? Okay, seeing none, um, our first action for today is the approval of the consent agenda. Do I have a motion for approval? >> I'll make a motion.
>> Motion by Commissioner Thompson. Is there a second to the motion? >> I'll second. >> Second by Commissioner Andrews. Any further questions or discussion? Any seeing none? All in favor by the sign. I >> I 50. Okay.
And next on our agenda is um Rapid Sports United. Um we're going to have um pronounce your name for us. >> Dina. >> Dena. And your last name? >> Diana. >> DC Siana. Thank you for being here.
>> All righty. Board. Um uh Madam Chair, board, I I thank you all so much for allowing us to come before you today uh to uh speak. But um just want to open up with this. This all started uh back in January
um of last year uh with with people in our community uh citizens um the city, the county having meetings after meetings uh and putting together a very diverse board of seven um hardworking
people with um common goal to help children to help all children um have a chance to play sports and that's what this is all about just helping helping our kids to be able to play sports in Bford County and um a
very the whole board is here this morning we have Marty Shaw who's our treasurer we have Joanne Jackson we have Josh Davis is our vice president we have Clint Collins we have Kathy Bradley who's our
secretary and also uh representing the city. Um we have Gene Melvin. He represents the TDC board. And then myself, uh I'm the uh represent the county and also the uh the president. And um I'll just say this. I cannot say
enough about how hard this board works. I mean, it's amazing. We have had meetings after meetings after meetings. Um and it just the as you see, the whole board's here this morning. the whole board was there at at every meeting we
have and we'd have them just about every week and I think sometimes we had two in a week. So, uh had a lot of meetings. Um I just want to say this, we had 40 applications for the Graford uh United
Recreation Director, 40. And uh out out of those 40, we interviewed six and uh came up with what we believe is would be the best fit and the best recreation director for Brford County, and that's
Dena Cena. And um before I turn it over to her, I just want to share just a couple more things with you. Um cuz it I was just talking with Mark. It's kind of funny. Dena's only been on the job for three hours yesterday and we asked her to put a PowerPoint presentation
together. So uh you know just bear with us this morning and uh but but up there the um you'll go to the next slide please. Yeah, it all started uh as you can see
we have we had excellent support from our sheriff uh Gordon Smith. I really thank him as he told everybody. Recreation is uh crimerevention 101. And then uh our superintendent, Will Hardley, um has been fantastic support
for us. Uh the athletic director, Samson Jackson, has really been helping us. He's been involved right from the very start um when we before we even had a board put together. So Samson Jackson has really been helping us. the TDC board again with the $150,000
uh donation just just awesome. And then the community support has just been fantastic. And also the city of Stark and and the county. If it wasn't for the city of Stark and the county coming together, this would not be happening.
There's no possible way it would happen. So, um anyway, just to show you a little bit of what we've been spending money on. Um, this is the pickle ball restrooms that uh were right beside the pickle ball court. Um, we once we
started getting it together, we only had two two weeks to get this totally remodeled because uh uh Rotary and is it Rotary or Quest was putting on a pickle ball tournament and we wanted to have it done and nice for them. As you can see from the from the pictures, you know, it
had the old stainless steel uh jail toilets in there. Um, we upgraded it to the, uh, nice single piece toilet. And, um, you can see the back of the building. They just had a piece of plywood screwed onto the wall. We took that down. We put, um, three new doors
in, all new locks. Uh, the whole building has completely been rewired. You can see the new electrical panel box on the back of the building. Um, the ceilings inside, inside and out, uh, were just the, uh, the rafters. That's it. So, we came in there and put
ceilings and everything. The whole building's been completely repainted and uh it looks super nice and and this this is what what made it happen. Um uh well, let me just back up too and
talk about the city and the county cooperating. When we went out there, we were involved already. We had everything tore out and then we found out there was only a 3/4 in water line running to that building. Well, a 3/4 in water line will not run those type commodes that we put
in there. So, Danny Griffith from the city came out there. We told him what we needed and uh we needed a 2-in line run through the building. And uh he said, "When do you need it?" And I said, "Man, I need it in about 3 days." And he I guess he thought I was kidding him at
first cuz he kind of looked at me, you know, and smiled. And then I said, "No, man. I'm serious. I I need this thing. And I said, "This building's got to be done and complete for the pickle ball tournament." So, he just kind of shook his head. He said, "I'll see what I can do." I think about 2 days later, he was
out there and ran that 2-in line all the way out there to us. So, like I said, the city has just been fantastic. But um but anyway um as far as that project, some of these people I want to mention this was this project
uh was going to cost 14,733 was the cost of the total project of this total project. Jacksonville Supply came in donated $660 for materials. Prestige Electric donated all the electric which was $2,190.
Philip McDonald Plumbing donated all the plumbing, $3,140, and M&R Construction donated all the labor, $4,631. Taking that total cost cost from $14,733 to $4,112.
I mean, that's that's just awesome. Um, let's see. Okay, this is what we This is what we got going on. Now, a lot of y'all probably won't even recognize uh the new that's that's the building. We tore the roof, trusses, everything off.
Totally gutted the inside, as you can see by the pictures. We cut out a lot of concrete in there. Uh all new plumbing. You can see the trusses over there to the side. They're ready to go. Josh Davis from Swamp Cutters. That machine, I I took a video of it and probably
should have played it for you. That machine is awesome. That the tracks on that machine move in and out. So, he moved those tracks in and came through a three- old door, hits inside, lifts it back up, widens the tracks out, and with
that jackhammer on there, it made some quick work of the concrete. So, uh Josh Davis, I would believe me, grief, my back thanks you for that. So, um thank you so much. But, um let's see. you want to go to the things. Okay. As you see,
this is what we're This is the the plan. And the girls bathroom used to have two toilets. Now we're going to eight. Uh the boys bathroom is going from two toilets and one urinal to three toilets and five urinals. Um we're adding 32 ft
to the front of this building, which 12 ft of will be our new concession stand moving out toward the the front right there. The other uh 20 ft out will be a um area, open area with um tables and stuff to eat. We're also going to put
the scissor trusses there with the big fans on top. So, it'll be a nice sitting area. Uh then in the back, we're kicking out 12 ft in the back. That's where we'll do all the cooking and everything back there in that area. But um
again, the the the city and the county both to to get this going really helped us a lot. Um the city building department, I can't say enough for them. Um we they allowed us to get a demolition uh permit early so that we
could start and get all that done while we're working on finalize out our uh plans for the uh engineering drawings and all that. But, uh, again, like I said, I can't say enough about the city and the county, how much they've been helping us. So, um,
what's the next time? I I believe at this time I'm going to turn it over to our new recreation director, Dina Dina. [Applause] >> Thank you. Um, I'm really happy to be here and I really appreciate everyone's support so far. um just in getting here.
I know it's been kind of a whirlwind these last couple weeks and I know you guys have been working hard, but I'm sure you guys have been hearing a lot from Danny, so I appreciate you guys giving me the time to come out and meet you all today. Um to start where we plan
on taking Bradford Sports United. Um, we want to create an environment where families and their athletes feel safe and comfortable to allow their kids to play a sport and hopefully um, keep them out of trouble. And if they're not in school, it gives them something to do so
they're not just at home on an iPad or on their phone. This will be a safe a safe place for them to come and just play with their friends and learn people skills and challenges. So, it'll also be affordable for the community. So, we're
trying to keep prices as low as we can for the parents to let all their kids play. If they have more than one, we're going to do a discounted price. Um, it will be inclusive to all ages. For baseball and softball, it's going to be 4 to 17, but we are going to do adult
leagues. So, any of you that would like to bring back those glory days, you're still in. Um, there will be fundraising happening and sponsorships because that's what we're going to be living off of for most of the for most of our payments. Um, everyone has helped
between the city and the county a lot with um a pot of money. However, the pot at some point has to run dry. So, we need to be able to fund raise and support ourselves. And I plan on doing um golf outings and just partnering with
a lot of local businesses so that we're not spending full price. We have a lot of people that can already work on our maintenance and such, but trying not to pay full price is going to be our number one thing.
Um, for baseball and softball at Edwards Road, uh, that'll be, like I said, 4 to 17 years old. It will be a spring and fall ball kind of deal. Um, like I said before, the prices will be low, so $100. Most of the partnering um, towns and
cities are between like 125 and 15. So, we're still under the budget for most of them. And with that said, if they do have more than one child, we won't make them pay 400 for four kids. There'll be a discounted price that will already be instilled in our um sport engine system.
So, everyone will end up paying the same price if they have more than one child. Also, for T-ball, that'll only be $75. And as it says on the screen, if a parent or a family member has any trouble with affording the sports, we
don't want to leave any kids behind. So, if they can contact me, that'd be their best bet because I'll be able to help them. Um, hats and jerseys will be provided with that sign up and signups will go live this weekend, which is very exciting.
The sports programs that we will offer other than softball baseball will be the raetball for all ages. Um that will be at Edwards Road and year round with the as you can see the buildings there. Pickle ball will also be all ages, but
as Danny mentioned, people are already running tournaments out of there. We'd love to get tournaments started and if people know how to play pickle ball and they're can they can teach it, we'll bring them in so they can the younger kids in the area can also learn how to play. Um that
will also be at Edwards Road. The flag football will be ages 6 to 17, but that will mostly be at Thomas Thomas Street. Is that right? But there's um opportunity for it to be played at Edwards Road as well. Basketball can be
played at both fields and that will be a winter and a spring league um along with clinics that can be brought in from the high school or neighboring towns. And then soccer will be ages 4 to 17 and that can be played at both fields um in the grassy areas.
Does anybody have any questions? These are questions that I thought um people might want to ask which would be how much it would cost and that would be the between 75 and $100 depending on what age your child is. Uh my 90-day
plan is to meet with the high schools and community members to ensure that I'm creating an inclusive and affordable um program for everyone around and if we have people from neighboring communities come over that they feel welcomed and
it's not a burden. Um how the recreation program will be promoted. So with sports engine, we are going to be able to allow parents to sign up through that and then we can also do all of our scheduling through that platform along with a
website they're providing for us. So we have our Facebook already up that's just Bradford Sports United. We'll also have an Instagram page that will be coming. Um, but the sports engine and the website online will be the two best
things to see what's going on with the recreation program. How volunteering will work. Uh, for cooks in the concession stand, we plan on getting parents and coaches that might not be coaching or any of you that have a free night or weekend and want to come see
the kids to come out and use the grills. And then for cash register, I plan on partnering with the local high schools. If kids need community service hours, they can come and work the registers and then I'll write off service hours for them. Um, and it also gives them
something to do after school. And then my goal is just to allow kids and their families a safe a safe space to play sports and learn character building skills to help them live successful lives on and off the playing field. >> May I ask? Yes. Um,
>> so on Edwards Road you would have baseball, pickle ball, basketball. Are those the primary sports for that one? For Edwards Road, >> Edwards Road will primarily be softball and baseball. Okay. >> Pickle ball and
soccer. All the sports can necessarily be played at Edwards Road. It's Thomas Street that it'll be um more just soccer and flag football. >> Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. Does anyone else have
questions? >> If not, that's how you can get in contact with me. Um, the address is going to be where my office is at the old police station. And then my email is also on the screen. Once I get a phone number, I'll also share that. So, if you
guys need to get in contact with me, not by email, that will be your best bet. But you can also message the Facebook page or the Instagram once that's up and I'll be able to answer any questions on that. But thanks so much for having me. just um a comment um before Commissioner
Ready comes back up um just that his efforts has been a um I call it a labor of love um into this this program and um if probably if you look at his nails you'll see some paint in from his labor
and trying to help physically I mean actually hands on with that that project >> and it's it's been noticeable especially from me from the outside even Yesterday was my first day and he was like, "What do you want to do? What do you need? Do you need me to do anything?" He left for 5 minutes and he came back. He said,
"Are you doing all right?" I sure am. But he's he's great. >> Well, thank you all and and your committee as well. >> Madam Chair, if I may, Dana, could you uh could you maybe tell us a little bit about yourself and your background and how you landed here in Bradford County?
>> Yeah, absolutely. So, um, growing up, I played sports all my life. I was always in wreck ball. Um, I didn't stop playing softball until my junior year of high school. And it was only because I knew I wanted to focus on field hockey. And that's what I went to college for. I got
I played four years of division one field hockey at a small university in Pennsylvania called B Haven. There I got my masters in sport management. Um, I was also I worked for their athletic department there. Um, where I did all of
their event management. Um, I was I worked in a nonprofit dog organization. I was the grad assistant at the recreation center actually at my university. Um, also two summers ago I was I had the opportunity to work at a
draft league baseball stadium where I did all their game day setup. So, I don't know if you guys probably know the Savannah Bananas, they do all like the theatrics on the field. That's the kind of stuff that I would set up. And then I also managed a food stand while I was there. So, this concession stand is
going to be like my baby. It's going to run well and it's going to run smooth. Um, but I got I graduated with my masters in May. I got married in July and then we moved down here cuz my husband is from Jacksonville. So, that's
where we currently are, but we are hopefully buying a house in Stark in a couple weeks. Yeah. >> Thank you. >> That's me. >> Thank you. Any other questions, comment from the board? If not, thank you all so much. It's exciting.
>> Thank you. >> All right. Um, and now we will move to our clerk's report. Mr. Thompson, >> we don't have anything. Just uh, okay, >> as always remind everyone, keep the budget in mind and you know, let's don't
have any surprises in June. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. Um, I don't see any. Do you have anything from the sheriff? Okay. All right. Um, our county manager report. >> Yes. Thank you, Madam Chairman. First of
all, just like to wish everyone a happy new year. Looking forward to 2026 and all the challenges and opportunities that we're going to face and uh very optimistic about the things we're going to accomplish here in Bradford County. Looking back to uh Christmas, we did
have the the fairgrounds had a float an entry in the Christmas parade in Stark and it was very wellreceived. Every uh got a lot of positive feedback from the Bradford County Agricultural Fair float um that participated in the parade. So, we've started advertising for the grand
opening uh for the fair, the agricultural fair this year, which will be February 26th. It's a Thursday at 4 PM. Our uh our fair manager uh Harley Hutchinson has been working tirelessly
to get this off the ground. She's got some uh surprises in store for us as well as uh a big event at the grand opening at 4:00. There will be live entertainment and some other festivities going on. And oh, by the way, that is the same night as the Boy Scouts of
America American Values dinner. So, you'll have time to go to the grand opening for the fairgrounds, leave there, go up to the Charlie John Center and participate in the Boy Scout event if you choose to do so. Um, the next thing is uh the recreation
grand opening. I know I talked briefly with Commissioner Riddick yesterday about a potential date. Um, I believe we've you've settled on like two weeks after the fair or right around right around fair time. >> Yes. Right. right now. Um Diana and
myself, we wanted to get with Union County, uh get with Keystone, get with a couple of the other counties, uh see what their opening dates are going to be, and uh start getting all these schedules together and then come up with the big grand opening date. But but you're right, it'll be somewhere around either what, March 7th or the following
weekend, the 14th, right around there. Good. So, we're looking uh looking forward to that as well. And uh welcome, Dana. We um we've just gotten to know each other in the last couple of weeks and we're looking forward to a great relationship with the recreation department and the city of Stark. So, uh
very exciting things happening here in Bradford County and as I said, looking forward to to 2026. Uh one other thing I want to mention briefly. I'm not really prepared to go into any details. Uh, but I do know that Cox Communications, I received an email from them last week,
uh, saying that they now now have internet service to over 800 homes. Um, I believe it's in the Brooker area and they're going doortodoor. Um, uh, talking about the plans they have available and trying to get folks to sign up for their their highspeed
internet. Um, a number of applica permit applications have come in through the planning and zoning office. I don't have the numbers or the data on that, but I'll get it because I want you to I want you to understand where we are in the broadband process and and how far we've
come with it in the last 3 years. So, we'll be taking a look at that uh going forward. And that's it. That's all I have, Madam Chairman. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. And um report from my county attorney.
>> Uh good morning and happy new year. Nothing to report. >> Okay. All right. And from our excuse me, our commissioners, I'll start with I always start on that end. I'm going to start off. >> I don't have anything other than happy new year. Dina, welcome. The rest of the
board, thank you for your work and appreciate y'all. And uh Commissioner Riddick, thank you for being very passionate about this and appreciate your work, too. So, as we move forward, hopefully we can continue to find funding and uh continue. And it sounds
like to me that uh what Dena's got going on and with the concessions and everything else that it should be able to, you know, take off on its own. So, but anyway, that's all I have. Thank you. Happy New Year. Right. >> Yeah. And that's the goal, too, is to make it um self sustaining. That's our
That's number one goal. But, um again, thank you board for allowing us come and uh again, this seven board member, you couldn't ask for seven better people. Well, I'll tell you what, it's it's been a real real honor and privilege to work with every single one of them. It's just
been been fantastic. I mean, just great ideas. Everybody comes to the meetings prepared and ready to go. And like I said, it's just I couldn't say enough good about it. So, thank you all again and thank you board. Every one of y'all for showing up. >> Thank you so much.
>> Thank you, Commissioner Ready. Uh Commissioner Thompson. >> Yes. I'd like to echo on Commissioner Doy's comments. Welcome aboard. Looks like you've hit the ground running, not walking. And uh Commissioner Re, thank
you for the job you and happy new year. >> And I'd like to say the same. Happy New Year. It's a very exciting time like um Mr. Corn said um with our new sports complex and this board that is working
so hard. Thank you all for doing that because that takes a lot of time out of your your your schedules and we realize that and Mr. Rick, I wish you'd get a little excited about it, but you know, we'll we'll maintain.
But um also with our fair board and um our extension office, just different things that um are there for our citizens. And that's what we're about. That's what we do. We provide um I mean
things and and projects for them to enjoy to bring their kids to teach the children and um and so we're very proud of that and very excited to see what this year this year brings. Like Mr. Thompson said, there's been a lot of
things that's been added into our our budget to hopefully help with that. So, it'll be a great time at the end to look and see where we are with everything that's been done. So, I'm excited and I hope this year will be
one of the best that we've had. So, thank you again, board, for everything you're doing. >> Thank you. and commissioner really candid.