Let voters decide

Dear Editor,

Past councils have supported preservation of the former YMCA, Keystone Hotel, bathhouse, bandshell, passed a resolution and provided letters of support in preservation of historic buildings at McCook Army Air Base. The Nebraska Historical Society recommends rehabilitation of West Ward School and the High Plains Museum board also voted in favor of saving the building.

There have been numerous letters in the Gazette about preserving West Ward School, with no letters opposed to saving it. Concerned citizens sent letters to city staff regarding ways to save West Ward building by establishing it on the National Registry of Historic Places that would make it eligible for grants and tax incentives -- which could lower the cost of the building. These grants and incentives would not be applicable to an all new Safety Center.

McCook Group is advocating McCook government of good business practices and public relations (Mayor/Council form of government). Big business and politics should not be allowed be to determine what voters should be deciding (city manager/council form of government).

The current council and city manager have pushed for the destruction of some historic buildings. A resolution needs to be passed by the council stating its desire to preserve McCook's historic buildings and promote tourism.

This resolution would show McCook voters you are not intent on further destruction and desire to promote historic tourism and creating jobs.

Until this resolution is passed the community does not know how the council feels about historic buildings, tourism and creating jobs.

The council does not have enough information to make an informed decision regarding West Ward school building or a new public safety center.

Some council members do not have enough information regarding the construction of the West Ward building when the public asks questions regarding the building; therefore an informed decision cannot be made by the public either.

We urge the council to vote no on the demolition of West Ward building and work to obtain more information on the construction of the building, tourism and creating jobs.

In our opinion the rehabilitation of West Ward School into a police department and city office building (with the cost) should be brought to a vote of McCook citizens.

We realize not every old or historic building can or should be saved, but this building is a solid beautiful brick structure and most importantly could be listed on the National Registry of Historic Places

Dale Cotton,

McCook Group