LETTERS: Commissioner responds years ago
To the Editor:
I would like to clarify one thing in your article on the cafe in the lake hall in the March 26 issue. If the cafe, cabins, and boat rental had been allowed to proceed, the lake hall would have been available to rent all year instead of having to close down during the winter months, not just the six months mentioned.
The Whitfills intended to insulate the north half at their expense and the proceeds the county received would have paid to insulate the south half. Thus, the building would have been able to be heated and cooled all year without significant fuel bills that currently require us to limit the hall's use in the winter.
The really important point is this would have been accomplished without the expenditure of tax dollars. With the current economic situation and cost to insulate the hall, I can't defend an increase in the mill levy to accomplish this same thing with tax dollars.
This will preclude being able to use the hall all year as planned.
In your editorial you mentioned the county should go forward with the cabins and boat rental. I don't believe government is very good at running a business, and would also have an unfair advantage while competing against private enterprise.
Also, I would not want to spend tax dollars in this manner.
I do feel receiving revenue from a private concern leasing county property is a better approach for all concerned and a better use of tax dollars. I still believe the cabins and boats are a good concept for revenue that will provide entertainment, help fund other opportunities for our citizens as well as help with tax relief.
Dan Holub
Marion
EDITOR'S NOTE: The editorial did not suggest the county go forward with cabins and boat rental. The editorial suggested the county go forward with plans to fix up the lake hall. — DB
