The Quitman City Council voted unanimously Thursday to establish a new Quitman Parks and Recreation Board. 

According to Quitman Mayor Randy Dunn, the council “feels it is appropriate to establish a Parks and Recreation Board” so that the board can “make recommendations to the city council.”

According to Dunn, “We’ve had a board that’s been acting to assist…but, there’s all kinds of money, grant money, and there’s other opportunities that are available to cities, but they have to have a parks and recreation board.”

The new board will be able to act independently “as far as pursuing or listening to possibilities of something that comes in or you want to add,” according to Dunn, but will make reports to the council and advise them on “planning, construction, land acquisition, operating, maintenance…and other issues related to the City of Quitman properties.”

The board will include Taylor Webber, chairman; Joanne Wisdom, vice chair; and members Heather Boisclair, Lin Grado, Sheryl Laudenslager, Chris Mason, Pam Bowdoin and Sally Attaway. Their terms expiration Sept. 30, 2027. 

The council approved the business retention agreement between the Quitman Development Corp. and the Quitman Chamber of Commerce. The agreement will be in the amount of no more than $10,000, and will go to fund the chamber’s events and needs. 

James Attaway, city administrator, said that business retention is “very, very important, obviously – just as important as recruiting new business.” The council was very much in favor of the idea, and it passed unanimously.

Dunn also mentioned during the mayor’s comments that a candlelight vigil for child abuse awareness will be held on April 30 from 5-7 p.m. under the Gov. Jim Hogg City Park pavilion.