Published: February 18, 2007 02:26 pm            

2/18/07 Letter to the editor

Unhappy with article on 4B



Dear Editor:



I read with great interest the headline story in this past Sunday’s edition of the Times-Review concerning 4B, Water World and all the benefits we are reaping. I especially noted the caption under the picture which says, and I quote, “Splash Station in Cleburne has proven much more popular — and profitable than the former Hulen Park pool.”

Would the accompanying article by any chance be a timely attempt at damage control by the city to justify increasing the admission charge which already prohibits many children from lower-income families from being able to take advantage of this facility?

I have yet to read an article in your publication concerning the city, taxpayer dollars and expenditures without also reading, “This is in line with what other cities in the surrounding area charge or do.” I pay taxes in Cleburne, not other cities in the surrounding area and as such could care less what other cities do with their tax dollars.

When the push was on for 4B approval in 2001, the hook was $12.4 million for seven quality-of-life projects. And now, according to this article, from the get-go this was never intended to cover all of the projects, obviously an oversight by the pro-4B element, as I just don’t recall anyone at the time coming forth with that information. We have two 4B projects that cost more than $12.4 million and now we are told that yes, maybe the cost and operation of Water World along with The Ballpark in Cleburne should have been researched a wee bit more before actually spending the funds that were required to complete them. However, blame cannot be placed entirely on the then sitting 4B board as they cannot spend one cent of 4B money without city council approval. Duh!

In my humble opinion, this article was written simply to bolster public relations and as an attempt to mollify the taxpayers and assure them that their tax dollars are being put to the best possible use. In closing, I will quote U.S. Army commander Tony McAuliffe’s reply to German surrender demands while holding the town of Bastogne during the World War II Battle of the Bulge: “Nuts.”



Rikky D. Perkins

Cleburne

        

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