Letter to the Editor

Reschedule races

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Dear Editor,

Christians in McCook and around the world celebrated Good Friday and Easter last week. Good Friday worship services in my church and, most likely, in other churches in McCook Friday evening have a portion of the service during which there is somber silence as we commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on the cross.

It was during that silence that the only sound heard in my church on East Sixth was the roar of race cars.

How insensitive and disrespectful this is to have races on Good Friday evening. After the same thing happened last year, I expressed my concerns to a member of McCook's County Fair Board, which I believe governs use of the track.

I asked this member to bring the issue before the full board. Since there was a new promoter this year I had hoped that the race schedule would be different.

I live about four blocks from the race track, and have never complained about the race noise, even when it continued past midnight and my wife had to get up for work at 5:30 the next morning.

I support the concept of having races at the fair grounds, and believe they are very important as entertainment for the community as well as for participation of youth and others who work on the cars.

If there is some reason that I am unaware of that the races cannot be held another day, then I suggest that they not start until 8 p.m. after most services are over.

If others feel as I do, then I ask them to please consider contacting the fair board or the promoter to ask them to please change the date of the first race.

I thank the race promoter and the fair board for the excellent work they do and the time they give to better our community.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mike Nielsen,

McCook, Nebraska

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