New fountains are worth the drive

While we may sometimes question how government - local, state or federal - spend our taxes, the money was well spent on the fountains at Barnett Park.

For those who have visited or driven by the park on the southern edge of McCook, the four fountains have been up and running for several weeks now.

Not only do they jazz up the park, the fountains have a utilitarian purpose: they will aerate the ponds for the fish.

The fountains even sport lights in the early morning hours as well as in the evening.

Living south of town, I have the privilege of viewing the fountains several times a day, while chauffeuring my kids to one activity after another. Yet, my favorite viewing time is early morning on the return trip home from the Y when no other vehicle's headlamps interfere with the lights.

Personally, I think more people are driving through the park, just to see the fountains. That novelty will likely wear off once people become accustomed to the fountains, but they still add flair to the park.

Could the money from the fountains have been used to fix a few additional potholes or replace an faded stop sign? Sure, but when was the last time anyone went out of their way to see a pothole or stopped to gaze at a traffic sign?