It is a bad idea for the city to borrow $1.8 million and issue bonds for $7.7 million to build a new maintenance facility and park.

Don't get me wrong. Our city is in desperate need of maintenance storage in a new location. The junk yard in Olde Towne is a disgrace.

I am for improving our parks. I am, however, against how much the city plans to spend and how it wants to finance it. Cleverly, the $7.7 million in bonds will not require a tax increase until after elections because the payments increase each year.

I was told the newly annexed area assured the tax base. And even if areas are de-annexed, those residents will still be obligated to pay this bond for the next 20 years.

Clinton taxpayers need to look very closely at what our "leaders" are about to do because they never advertised or asked the voters if they wanted this bond.

Yes, Traceway needs improvements and facilities; but should we go 20 years in debt?

Do the park plans include any sort of playground equipment? Can we build more Kids Towns that cost $100,000? Very few people are aware of the new plans for the parks.

Should a new maintenance facility cost $3 million when the land has already been purchased and empty offices are available in town? How can we trust this administration to respect its new location when it does not even respect its current property and neighbors? I know they need to move the storage location, but does our government really need more offices?

We've been told to look beyond note payment amounts to the projected revenue that improvements can bring to the city. What is the projected revenue from a $3 million maintenance building?

The No. 1 goal in the city's 2003 strategic plan is to "improve and expand recreational facilities and programs to accommodate needs for all ages and interests."

Where does a $3 million dollar maintenance building fit in there?

Our mayor has not revealed the exact plans for these projects and why the cost is so high.

We, as voters, have a right to know. After all, we are the ones told to pay for it. Efforts to obtain a copy of this "public" resolution or park plans from City Hall have been met with several roadblocks.

The only way to stop these bonds from being sold is to have 1,500 registered voters file a written protest with the city clerk by Sept. 21.

Call me at 924-2553 about signing the written protest. There has to be a better way to inform the public and finance this project.

Mary Welch
Clinton