Thank you again, for all the surveys that have been submitted by you, citizens of Bowling Green. Your input is vital for the growth and direction of our wonderful town and how your tax dollars could be spent. Your input empowers Bowling Green leadership with ideas to LEAD BOLDLY, collaborate effectively, and create needed change. For instance, should the city monitor the number of insurance companies? We are grateful for the ones we have but we have 13 in our town now. Economic strategies must be applied that improve our community! Successful towns are shaped by “bold leadership,” strategic investments, and working together-collaboration. Data-driven information like the survey directs elected officials in tackling rural challenges and/or new opportunities. Our Comprehensive City Planning Committee will obtain more input from you residents in assisting and having “say-so” in the direction Bowling Green will take in the next 5,10, 15, 20 years from now. Sadly, we have yet to meet all the goals and objectives from the last City Master Plan of 2004. Let me be quick to add, however, that the City’s leadership over that time has made excellent improvements in the infrastructure of our fine town! But…let’s turn 2025 and beyond VISION INTO ACTION!

As we are already in the 4th Quarter of the BGR1 school year, many seniors are looking for funding to help their parents and support themselves in universities, colleges, Jr. colleges, and trade schools. The Charles Lafitte Foundation provides grants to support children/youth education, advocacy, healthcare, and the arts. It’s a rolling application with no deadlines. Pike County Health Department’s annual Nursing Scholarship is out there but has an April 1st deadline. Spring sports practices started, and the athletes are ready to get into game mode with Girls and Guys Track and Guys Baseball. Support our hometown athletes and Roll Bobcats!

4-H Club had their outstanding pork sandwich, etc. sale this past Sunday and thanks to all who supported this fund raiser for a great cause as young people are being educated in life skills and work ethic! Pike Off Road, Walk for Life on May 13 beginning at 10:00 and 11 :00 respectively are events to look forward to. Audrey Jones of the Jail Museum and her husband, Bud of Bud’s Towing, were invited to the show Swamp Mysteries in Pierre Part, Louisiana and worked with Troy Landry of Swamp People. Audrey was able to “witch,” (search for bodies and/or water), on a cemetery plantation. The show with them “witching” will be shown this Spring on the History Channel. The Bowling Green Jail Museum has also created a special section for children. Their office hours have changed to Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:00pm and as usual, Saturdays from 9:00 am to noon. In the survey response, only a small minority from Bowling Green has visited the Pike County Genealogy Society and Jail Museum. Check it out! It is a hidden jewel in our special town!