Letter to the Editor

Common sense

Thursday, September 8, 2005

Dear Editor,

I am glad at least one city council member still has common sense ["Council votes 3-2 for tennis courts" (http://www.mccookgazette.com/story/1117075.html)].

Mr. Phil Lyons voted to disapprove of the co-sponsoring of $75,000 for construction of 6 new tennis courts. I don't understand how the use of this money does anything but; benefit a small cross-section of the residents of McCook and the school system.

It isn't like the city has money burning a hole in its pocket. Did the city not have cash flow problems with the purchasing of land for drinking wells, complying with federal regulations for waste water, and the moving of the water storage facility after a spill by Burlington Northern.

It is true by national average McCook is a relative cheap place to live but, for how much longer will that be? With the city raising sewage rate, water rate, trash rates, and home value reassessments.

A much better use for these funds would be to help pay for the drinking water treatment plant, building of a new public safety center, or a joint jail facility with the county. All of these things have one common theme. They benefit everyone in the city not just a small but, vocal group of residents.

By looking at the voting on this item; in my mind a conflict of interest appears in the fact Mayor Berry is employed by the McCook Public Schools as a principle. Oh and one more thing is the PR for the city or the schools?

I am sure I will get plenty of replies to this letter. Let's see just how many are in agreement with me.

Very Respectfully

HM1 Tyler Hayes (FMF) USN

Physical Therapy Leading Petty Officer

Naval Air Station Brunswick, Maine

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