From Diane Robinson
Hutchinson

I do not believe that providing more ball fields and building a water park is an essential service for the residents of Hutchinson, especially when we are paying close to $4 per gallon for gas! Citizens of Hutchinson and City Council members — it is time for a new fiscally conservative mentality toward spending our tax dollars!

We should not take money away from street maintenance to pave the Wildlife Sanctuary road; street maintenance must be a priority. Perhaps the Gopher Campfire people could find a conservation grant to help pay for the cost of paving the road or they could go with Mr. Exner’s suggestion to not pave the road and place large boulders in front of the sanctuary fence for protection.

I know it is nice to have a pool or water park facility in a community, but we have entered a whole new era. We may be looking at $7 per gallon of gas. I am in strong disagreement that my tax dollars should pay for such a facility. If our community believes that we need this water park then I think they need to build it through private funds.

I like Mayor Cook’s ideas. Yes, work with the schools to make improvements on their ball fields using money from the sale of the Bernhagen acreage next to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. It also makes sense to provide infrastructure for the Stritesky Industrial Park property. This will make it saleable to companies looking to build in Hutchinson. New businesses will provide jobs in our community and also more tax revenue.

Lastly, I want to encourage all fiscally conservative residents of this city to consider running for City Council this November. There are two open seats available as Kay Peterson and Casey Stotts will not be seeking re-election.

All city residents are eligible to run as City Council seats are at-large positions. Mayor Cook will hold an open house at 6:30 p.m. on July 9 for people who are interested in running for City Council to provide information and answer questions. Filing to run for City Council must be done at the City Center between July 1 and July 15.