Biloxi High School - Indian Echo Yearbook (Biloxi, MS)

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The Hiller Park Controversy For a couple of years, Hiller Park has been a favorite hang-out” for Biloxi teens. The secluded location drew more and more people until the park became a popular place for teens all along the Coast. Inevitably, problems began to arise. Residents of the area complained of drinking, loud noise, and fighting. They complained that loud cars drove recklessly through their neighborhood during the late hours of the night. Many also said that they woke up to find litter thrown into their yards. To compound this, reports of drug usage in the park were widespread. The angry residents went to city officials to request that they alleviate the problem. The city responded by ordering the park closed at ten o'clock p.m. The action was applauded by the residents, but teenagers showed their disapproval. Teens argued that the only other place for them to congregate was the old Popp's Ferry causeway. The causeway, they said, was narrow and had poor lighting. Petitions were circulated around campus, and some students attended city council meetings. Any compromise will probably not last while complaints by residents persist. The Hiller Park controversy will continue. Do teens have the right to congregate in the park? Two opposing arguments are given on the facing page. ▲ The tranquil pavilion at Hiller Park overlooks the Biloxi Bay It is hard to believe that such a peaceful setting is the center of such controversy ► Mayor Gerald Blessey talks to Biloxi High students about the park. 16 «Hiller Park

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◄ Some students do not want to worry about parking. Their solution: take the bus. ▼ Mr. Willie does not need to worry about parking Teachers are each assigned a numbered parking place in front of the school. Students have been prohibited from parking in front since the opening of Michel Middle School Student Life • 15

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 As tor the drinking, I know that it takes place!” I must quality what I am writing by saying that I am writing this as it I were a person living next to Hiller Park It I lived there, I would be against keeping the park open I know that the young need a hangout The question is whether they need a place to go drink, use drugs, litter the surrounding area, drag race through the streets, and cause an overall nuisance; or do they need a place to gather, socialize, talk, and have good clean tun? Those who believe that the young people will go to Hiller Park and not use alcohol or smoke pot have their head in the sand. I will admit that the pot smoking may not be common, but I am certain it is present. As for the drinking, I know it takes place! When you mix alcohol or pot with large groups ot people, you are asking tor trouble. It happens with adults; why should the young be any different? Ask yourself these questions: It you lived near or adjacent to the park, would you be in favor ot using it for a hangout for the young? Would you enjoy being awakened at 11 30 by a radio being played so loudly it could be heard on the beach’ What if you had children who wandered into the park and used what they saw going on as role models? What if you spent hours growing and cultivating your lawn, only to awaken and find out someone had cut doughnuts through it the night before, or you had to pick up empty cans and trash which was littering your lawn’ How would you like that’ What is the solution’ I wish I knew, but Hiller Park is not it. Richard Belvel Biloxi High School teacher Opposing Opinions ◄ Richard Belvel teaches world history and government at Biloxi High. He has earned a Bachelor of Science and a Master's Degree in education from the University of Mississippi. “Hiller Park is just the lesser of many evils.” Hiller Park is neither a bad place nor a good place to go Hiller Park is just the lesser of many evils. Until recently, the City of Biloxi has not provided a place for teenagers to go on the weekends The only places to go were the causeway, the Beach Arcade, the tdgewater Village parking lot, and Hiller Park. The causeway is unlit, there is not enough room for thru traffic, and it is surrounded by mud, marsh, and water Some people do not get along very well with the people who go to the Beach Arcade this is also true about the people who hang around the Edgewater Village Parking lot. What is our alternative? At Hiller Park, there is an adequate thruway. There are lights shining all over the place Hiller Park does not smell One can go to Hiller Park and. because ol the size ot the park, avoid those people whom they cannot get along with. The group of citizens who live around the park have complained about noise, trash, and vandalism In this group there are some who think there is a great drug problem at the park. This group has gotten its information from assumptions and heresay. These people think that |ust because a large group of teens congregate in one place, that place is a haven for lunkies and drunkards I have not heard of one person being arrested in the park for dealing or possessing Certain measures have been taken to end the complaints There are even some compliments about the vast reduction in problems at the park I feel that Hiller Park is not the problem These people who listen to heresay are the problem. ▲ Paul Pitalo is the Vice-president of the Junior Class and a member of the Student Council. Paul Pitalo Junior Class Vice-President Hiller Park 17