Letter to the Editor

Insert 'strange'

Monday, November 6, 2006

Strange insert

EDITOR'S NOTE -- The following is being published as a specific rebuttal:

Dear Editor,

One evening last week the McCook Daily Gazette had a strange insert. At least it was strange to me. It proposed to state the facts about the combined city of McCook and Red Willow County Public Safety Center that will appear on Tuesday's ballot as a bond election.

The first thing I noticed was that no one or organization took credit for the insert or what was printed on it. As you have heard many times over the radio these past weeks, when you hear a political canditate's add it usually ends with "I'm so-and-so and I approved this add."

No where on the insert in question did it give credit to who produce it. So, If I had questions about the statements in the brochure to whom would I have directed them, the two symbols on one side of the flyer?

In a Gazette article this past week they quoted councilman Lyons and Mayor Berry as not in favor of a combined Public Safety Center as presented by the County and Jail Committee. So it was probably not those two gentlemen who wrote the flyer. In fact, I will wager "a guess" that our city council just went along with the County on this bond issue to let the voters of McCook shoot the combined Public Safety Center down and quiet the County.

The flyer started off with "THE PROBLEM CITY OF McCOOK" - Is the city a problem?

Bullet 1 -- Unsafe Location: We are within dangerously close proximity to several potential hazards - railroad, propane storage, grain elevators and main highway. I wonder who thought this one up and made the statement? I've never thought it was an unsafe location. With that thinking maybe we should ask the bank, and all the other businesses to relocate to more safe locations. As to being close to the main highway, I personally think that is an asset to fast response times.

Bullet 2 -- said it was an Aging and Inefficient facility: I agree it is an aging facility, just as all buildings are over time. Some folks might consider me an aging facility but I still think of myself an effective one. It has been my impression all along that both the McCook fire and police departments are very effective in protecting the citizens of McCook and I have a feeling they will continue to be.

Bullet 3 -- We are out growing our space: Who said this? Was it the department heads of the two McCook agencies. I have never heard them express that but then I don't hear all or read all. It appears to me, it has been the County that keeps pushing the need for more room and newer facilities.

From what I've read, the Sheriff department does but is this proposal the best? I personally don't think so. Where is my proof? I really don't have any additional to what I wrote in my previous letter. Mostly it's just my gut feeling. Sometimes, despite what others tell us, that is all we have to use in making important decisions.

Bullet 4 -- Does not comply with requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act: I will have to admit they are accurate on this one but until we build a new facility I believe we are OK. The city council chambers and offices do not comply either so maybe we should tear down that "aging facility" and rebuild so it would comply? Boy, things are really getting expensive now!

I could go on to mention each of the four bullets under THE PROBLEM RED WILLOW COUNTY -- but I have already mentioned them in a previous letter to the citizens of McCook so I will save you from that. What I do suggest is, after the two Bond items on your Tuesday ballot go down in flames, and if the County is still serious in building a jail, that they expand the jail committee membership to include members from the counties where we now house prisoners and proceed from there. They could also decide to let this issue rest and continue doing business, as in the past. Now go out and make a difference by casting your vote! Each and every one is important.

"I,

Steve Batty,

do approve of what I wrote."

Past councilman,

SW Nebraska

Community Builder and

Nebraska Network

Development member

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