Dear Editor:
The City of Jefferson should not get into the business of building and operating a recreation center for a number of reasons.
One, this would put the government in direct competition with a number of private sector businesses in this town. Being in direct competition with the private sector does not seem to be a legitimate role for government to play.
This also puts the private sector business at a disadvantage since the government has taxing power to subsidize the function that the private sector does not. Also, with this taxing power the government is requiring the people who run the private businesses to help subsidize their direct competition. Finally, the public sector should not be allowed to operate in functioning markets, since they force out established businesses and obstruct market entry.
Two, government provides a number of essential services that the private sector cannot always economically provide. These include such things as police and fire protection, street and sewer upkeep, animal shelter and control and a few others.
Are these services being adequately provided to the extent that government can now spend tens of millions of dollars building and maintaining a non-essential service? I would suggest putting the money into these essential services before attempting to venture into something that is being provided adequately by the private sector. For examples, do a better job of keeping the streets well maintained and put more money into the new animal shelter.
Three, does the city have ample reserves to maintain essential services, and build and maintain a recreation center? For example, does the city have adequate "rainy day' money set aside for the next down turn so essential services can be maintained?
For these reasons I oppose the city getting into the business of building and operating a recreation center. Especially since the private sector is fulfilling that role quite well in Jefferson City.