Why does a golf course get more attention than kids?

And to think but three miles separate Norwich Golf Course from Jenkins Park. Three miles. Same city. Yet another example in this country that geographical proximity hardly begets corresponding philosophical connection.

Norwich city officials will consider later this month whether to bond $410,000 to replace mowers, vehicles and a tractor at the golf course. Intrepid city beat writer Claire Bessette of The Day reports "the city would take out the bonds and the Golf Course Authority would pass a resolution to reimburse the city for the costs. The authority would order the equipment, paid for through a golf course account in the city's capital budget."

Jenkins Park, meanwhile, is home to a rebirth of the Night Flight Basketball League, a very summer thing two decades ago in Norwich, when the kids would play on Friday nights at NFA. Families would come to watch. It was part of Norwich's identity.

I have no doubt that Norwich Golf Course not only needs the aforementioned equipment, but would be timely in repaying its bills. But this is a classic example of why people in this country are screaming about equity. Old lawn mowers hardly bear the same significance to a city as giving kids a safe outlet. And yet look where the conversation continues to drift.

Perhaps some of you dismissed this as fake news upon reading the line "at no cost to taxpayers." And that's the problem. In a city with no more YMCA or Martin Luther King Center, a group of city resi

residents revived the Night Flight League — frequently out of their own pockets — for the sake of kids and community. If the Night Flight organizers must do their thing by cobbling loose change, why is the golf course entitled to more consideration?

I'm going to ask that question again: Why is the golf course entitled to more consideration?

"We survive mostly on registration fees," said Cara Turner, one of Night Flight's organizers. "We have a couple of donations and sponsorships. The first winter we played in 2018, we just wanted people to play. The same with last summer, so it was out of pocket. It wasn't until last winter when we realized 'listen, we all have houses and families to take care of, too.'

"Unfortunately, the city invests its money not always having the underprivileged and underserved in mind. I've developed a good relationship with (city recreation director) Cheryl Hancin-Preston. She does a great job. But her budget isn't huge, which is shameful because a lot of underprivileged kids here use their programs."

Again, I ask: Why is the golf course entitled to more consideration?

"We have a lot of smart people who have given up on this community because of the politics," former NFA basketball great Leonard Miller, the face of the Night Light League, said. "This type of stuff — 400K for a facility that I guarantee you 90 percent of the people who come here can't afford a membership. Norwich, I think, half the population makes under 50K a year. We need to start catering to our people. A lot of people out her are struggling and need outlets."

Turner and Miller estimate that 400 people are playing basketball five nights a week this summer. Community members come to watch. People sit on their porches and lawns in nearby homes to watch. League officials have wipes and hand sanitizer available to the players, make frequent announcements reminding onlookers to wear masks and try to use the park's expanse to achieve social distancing. Quite the undertaking.

Turner: "I love the smiling faces, the little kids watching. It's awesome how the league brings community back together."

Miller: "A lot of the kids don't have a place to hang out. They come here and see adults in a positive light.

There was a time when Jenkins Park didn't have a great reputation. Now it's changing. It's a more homey, friendly place. Beautiful real estate out here. It's the sense of community, getting to know each other. It feels like nobody knows each other anymore."

The city has provided electrical outlets this year so Miller didn't have to pay for a generator. Norwich Public Utilities will sponsor a youth basketball camp Monday. So there's that. And this: Miller has a dream to build an indoor facility that would function as the league's home and a place for the kids to hang out.

"I really wanted to get this league off the ground," Miller said. "Now we're seeing more energy and participation go up. My dream would be a facility we can run year round. We could do so many things. It's been 20 years since the YMCA. The MLK Center is gone. Kids have nothing to lean on. A comfortable space. That's the dream. We want the city to embrace us."

Nothing against a new lawn mower for a golf course, but is there anybody in Norwich willing to help Miller, Turner and the kids first?