Small towns don't have big budgets. That's why it's especially important for citizens and businesses to help out when it comes to making improvements to the town.

Auburn mayor Dewey Roche of said work done recently at the McCutchen Coke Park is an example of the impact that help can make.

The park is the center of activity in Auburn and in the summer it is often busy with various baseball, softball and tee-ball games. The fence around the little league field was in bad shape, so Roche began looking for ways to replace it.

“I asked Mr. (John) Cates if he could donate some fence for the Little League field and he graciously agreed to,” Roche said.

All the fence and hardware were donated by Circle C Construction and John W. and Robert Cates. In addition to getting the materials donated, Roche said the work of installing the fence was done by many people working together. Inmates from the Logan County Detention Center helped put up the fence, along with coaches, parents, city employees and others.

“We had a lot of help and we appreciate all of it,” Roche said. “This shows what can happen in a little town when people work together.”

The new fence is not the only work that has gone on at the Auburn park. The old tennis courts have been torn up and work on a new tee-ball field is under way. Roche said they hope to have it ready to go by next season. The city has also put new bases on the softball field.

Roche also said that the park may eventually be home to a skate park as well. The city recently learned that it has received a grant for around $12,000 for the creation of a skate park. Roche said he has tried to get money for a skateboarding facility for three years and he is pleased they finally got the grant. However, much research needs to be done before anything will be done.

“We still haven't figured out how much it will cost,” Roche said. The cost could be around $20,000 or more total.

“We will need additional funding,” said Roche, who hopes that local businesses, organizations, churches and citizens will help provide support for the skate park.

In other news, Roche said plans for Auburn Autumn Days, set for September 12 and 13 are already under way. Organizers are looking to provide more activities on the Friday evening of the event. Roche said one change is that the dinner and auction will be held at the Auburn School this year. Booth rental space is available and anyone interested should call the Auburn City Hall at 542-4149.\

Roche also reported that Jimmy Cox, brother of the late Dick Cox, is still looking for someone to purchase the inventory of Cox's Variety Store and reopen the store. Dick Cox, who had run the store for many years, died last fall. His brother hopes to find someone who would be interested in reopening this unique store that is like something from the past.

Roche said he would love to see someone purchase the inventory and reopen the store, which is on Main Street in the heart of Auburn.

In other news around town, Roche said he is pleased that Dr. Karuna Reddy will soon be open in Auburn on Wednesdays and Fridays. When she came to town several months ago, she said she would come one day a week and then increase that if she had enough patients. As of August 1, she will be open two days a week in town.