[jeffk]

Unfortunately, it is easy for a small group of people to push an idea in a small town. Developing the town, making a town green/center, are all the buzz. The problem is, there is no guarantee that things that worked in other places will work here. In fact, there is no guarantee that things done in other places were the CAUSE of any improvements where they were tried. There are often many things going on that could have caused improvements but no one bothers to figure it out.

It is also unfortunate that people that simply do not want to foot the bill for the high costs of these efforts are branded as "trying to drive young families out of town" and other such derogatory labels. People in the political arena have made everything so nasty. If you oppose me, you must be BAD. Well, I'm sorry but each voter has the right to question all decisions made and vote what their preference is. There does not need to be bad intent, just disagreement. Frankly, the outcome of government decisions (everywhere) doesn't have that good of a track record so having grave doubts about the plans proposed by government is a healthy attitude for a voter to have. If government proposals fail, it falls on the shoulders of government leaders who failed to make their case to the voters. You would think they would know their constituents better than to push things that have little chance to pass.

And if it is a small well organized group opposing such efforts, what of it? A small well organized group is pushing the Community Center. What gives them the high ground? They don't have a free pass to propose large expenditures and have them rubber stamped. Other voters have a legitimate say and they did. A government leadership body that doesn't respect the decisions of the voters has no business in office.