At Thursday night’s City Commission work session meeting the issue of signage on city property came up, in this instance Larks Park. Commissioner Ron Mellick said the grandstands are historic, having stood for 72 years and he took concern with a plaque that has been placed on the grandstands.

Mellick said, “I’m afraid there will be more plaques, more holes drilled in there, more plaques, more recognition. I’m not against the recognition but I’m against, I’m gonna say vandalizing our facility.”

The Plaque in question identifies the Meckenstock Group for its contribution to the backstop project. Fort Hays State raised over $8,000 dollars to help with the project while the City paid $10,000. Commission Mellick said he wants the plaque removed but City Administrator Toby Dougherty said there in no policy in place.

“Not that long after the project, Curtis Hammeke, Athletic Director contacted staff and asked about the possibility of recognizing the major donor with a plaque and was told at that time as long as its not obtrusive we don’t have a problem with it,” said Dougherty.

Fort Hays State will have another plaque to recognize donors who helped with the new turf installation.

Dougherty said they will come up with a policy and bring it back to the commission to address their concerns.

Commissioner Mellick also had issues with lack of recognition the city has gotten.

“I was a little upset at the dedication for the new turf down there because, they did recognize the city of Hays, but then it was mentioned the Fort Hays did the new outfield fence, that they did the backstop, that they did the bleachers and they did the remodeling underneath of the grandstands. And we all know that the city of Hays footed the bill on all of that.”  Mellick said.