[8/4/04]A former high school baseball coach has been picked to head Vicksburg’s parks and recreation department.

Joe Graves, who resigned in April from his position at St. Aloysius, will take over the department on Monday. He replaces Craig Upton who left in December after two years on the job.

“We’ve got the opportunity here to have the best parks and recreation, bar none, in the state of Mississippi,” Graves said.

Graves said his initial objective will be to evaluate what the city has available and begin work on the $600,000 softball complex off Fisher Ferry Road. He said he also wants to increase communication with local residents about the parks and recreation department.

“I’ve got a lot of things to bring to the table, and I’m looking forward to the new challenges,” Graves said.

South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman said Graves’ background as athletic director and head baseball coach for St. Aloysius for 22 years and experience in budgeting makehim ideal for the job.

“He’s also got a lot of experience dealing with parents and kids, and that’s important in this job,” Beauman said.

Upton got the director’s job after Beauman was elected alderman. Beauman was paid about $40,000 annually. Graves was offered a salary of $45,000.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said Graves will be given “full autonomy” over the department.

“I’m glad that we were able to find someone in our community that was already familiar with our city facilities,” Leyens said.

The parks and recreation director oversees the city’s recreational facilities including baseball and softball fields and will be over the future softball complex off Halls Ferry Road.

Beauman said he is hoping the city will receive specifications for dirt work at next week’s meeting and will be able to go out for bids.