Editorial

Council needs public acceptance of water scenario

Thursday, July 17, 2003

The McCook City Council needs to take another step in its attempt to solve the city's long-standing water problem. Understandably, the majority of council members want to move forward on the water issue. And, they should. After all it's been 10 years since the issue first arose. But, before proceeding with their decision to drill wells in Frontier County -- 15 to 19 miles north of McCook -- the council needs to make their case to the public.

How can they do that?

One way is to add to the duties of the local engineers who have been hired to develop a safe and sufficient water supply for the city. The engineers -- Miller & Associates and W Design Associates -- need to lay the facts on the line concerning: (1) The north well sites; (2) Water treatment; and, (3) Drilling additional wells south of town. Then, they need to go ahead to tell the public what action the city plans to take, and why.

It will not be necessary for the engineers to do additional engineering studies. During the past 10 years, plenty of data has been collected. What is needed, however, is for the information to be interpreted and explained, in understandable language, to the people of McCook.

Until that is done, the people of McCook have no solid basis for voting to either accept or reject the city's contract with the engineers. That is an issue because petitions are being circulated calling for a vote of the people. At that special election, the lone issue would be whether or not the engineering contract should be overturned.

The success of the petition drive is still to be determined, but the rest of the council shouldn't stand by while the petitions sheets are being passed around. The four council members who voted in favor of going north for water -- Dick Trail, Jerry Reitz, Jim Kenny and Jerda Garey -- need to tell us why they made that decision; and they need to instruct the engineers to inform the people about the pros and cons of the water alternatives.

No one disputes the fact that the city needs to take action to solve the water problem. But, as everyone should know by now, it will be far better, for all concerned, if the city moves forward with the understanding and acceptance of the public.

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