Editorial

Municipal Center more than just a source of pride

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Wags have described it as everything from the scene of a derailment to a World War II German bomber, but we think McCook's new Municipal Center will grow to be a source of pride for the community.

We know it's already a source of pride for the people who work there.

We hope you took time to take in today's ribbon cutting at 3 p.m., or tour the building before 7 p.m.

The need for new facilities was the subject of much debate and at least a couple of bond votes in the last few years.

In hind sight, we wish the question of what to do with the old Memorial Auditorium would have been more of a part of the initial discussion rather than the afterthought that it is today. (We also wish the voters would have favored the initial proposal for a combination city building and county jail, for a savings of several million dollars, but that's water under the bridge and long gone down the river.)

But anyone who has a job knows that having the right tools and working conditions is key to doing the job well.

We have always asked our police force, firefighters, paramedics and city staff to be professionals, but providing them new, built-for-the-purpose facilities will certainly enhance their ability to do so.

The new facility will also help show visitors that we're willing to invest in our community's future. That attitude will pay off when it comes time to recruit professionals and industries to our town.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: