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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Making the Right Choice for the Community - Part 3‏ (Track)

PART 3

The third bond is for building a Track at a cost of approximately $500,000.00 taxpayers’ dollars.    I do not want anyone to misunderstand me.  I am in favor of our kids having a place to do track especially since Lisbon has one of the best track teams in the state.  However, they cannot hold home meets in Lisbon because the current track does not meet safety standards.  This is a shame.

I am voting NO on a new track.  The reason is very simple.  If we have $500,000.00 to spend, I would rather see it spent on repairing our roads.  This to me is a higher priority to the community than a track.  A track is utilized by a smaller number of citizens, for a few months out of the year, and everyone uses our roads.  If we are going to be spending taxpayer’s money, then the whole community should receive the benefit and not just a few.

False Deluder is a very dedicated parent who wants only the best for his kids and I do not blame him or the other families involved with this movement.  But if you are spending taxpayer’s dollars it should be in the best interest of the whole community and not just a few. 

False Deluder wants to talk about “needs” but never mentioned if it was the needs of his kids or needs of the community.  Supporting your kids is important and should be the number one priority of every parent.  It is vital that the town get a new Public Works garage and the town needs a new gym but the town does not need a new Track. 

It is easy to see a “return on investment” with both the Public Works garage and the gym but there is absolutely no return on investment on a track especially when the money could be used to repair our roads.  Repairing our roads would save wear and tear on our vehicles as well as the town vehicles.

When you go to the polls in June, please vote what is best for the whole community and not just a few.
 
Larry Fillmore

5 comments:

False Deluder said...

This is NOT only for the few kids that are on the track teams. Although, if you take High School, Middle School, and Summer Track (Rec.) that adds up to quite a few of OUR children. I would wager there are more community members that will use the track than you think. This is a COMMUNITY track for all too use. I HAVE said that ALL along. I guess you missed it. I do have one child in track, yes. I also have a child in basketball. I'm not sure if you've taken a ride by ANY track in the state during the off time, but they are in constant use by mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers needing a safe place to exercise. Also, we want to talk about return on investment, when is the last time you went to a track meet? There are a minimum of 4-6 teams of 20-50 kids that come in with their parents for 4+ hours leading to the return-on-investment that you mention. The track does, however, have a window of access opportunity. It can only be used when there isn't snow piled on it. Does the town need roads fixed yes. I'm not disagreeing with that at all--although they are far better than some communities that I get jostled driving through. As you know, I feel strongly about both of these projects--GYM and TRACK. I just feel that, as much of the community will benefit from the track, that it is worth the estimated $6 per/year per/$100K for it. JUNE 10th can not get here soon enough--I'll tell you what. Whatever this town chooses to do, at least we will do it as a TOWN and NOT by a select few.

False Deluder said...

...a little additional information about NEASC probation. I"m not sure if you know this either that Ole Town was "hit" on the condition of their track by NEASC. This lead to them having to put in a track surface so they wouldn't be at risk of probation. If you'd like to see the report for that I can get it for you.

False Deluder said...

..also, 500K is not what the new track will cost. it is closer to 400K. $350K for the Track. And then Fencing--whatever that will cost.

False Deluder said...

..also, 500K is not what the new track will cost. it is closer to 400K. $350K for the Track. And then Fencing--whatever that will cost.

False Deluder said...

I just read this again, for I like to re-read just so I get things clear in my head.

You commented that "there is absolutely no return on investment on a track." I would like to know what schools / towns you have spoken with or what events you have been to in order to determine this? You make good arguments for the gym. The only thing is, the same arguments, to each point, can be made for the track.

BTW: If what you say is correct, and ALL the plans for the new public works building come to fruition, it will be good for the town. But, I hope you see why I'm leery. (Past TC and Manager activities.)