Dear Editor:
Unfortunately the idea of a taxpayer funded "Money Pit" convention center did not die with the end of last year.
And guess what? The price has gone up. Who would have imagined that? Ehrhardt wants the city to build a multi-million dollar parking garage. Farmer wants a special tax imposed on all businesses around the mall including HyVee, and the restaurants as well as the merchants in the mall. (We know it is the customers who pay the tax.)
Recently the News Tribune leaked that Parks and Recreation has several million dollars "rat holed" for an activities building. Mr. Lockwood wants to build it out on the east end at Riverside Park where the only access is via narrow city streets with parking on both sides. By the time such a building is under roof, we can expect the City Fathers to come crying/begging the county to build them a new access street.
How about this. Since Parks and Recreation already has the money, which apparently is burning a hole in Lockwood's pocket, construct a building either on the McCarty Street site, or at the old prison. Expand the present plans some, and call it an Activities/Convention Center. This could be done without additional taxes or unneeded hotel rooms
The city elections are coming up. Get to know the candidates. Vote for the fiscal conservative, not the "tax and spend" liberals.