McEUEN: Survey says - ah, phooey

I just left the McEuen Park Concept Plan website where their "survey" results were posted. Without a doubt, these questions were "structured" to produce favorable feedback. I say this because each venue proposed was offered without a development consequence. If I were to simply ask the general public if they would like to see safe playground equipment in our parks, I'm pretty sure at least 65-75 percent of those responding would agree. I wouldn't mention costs or sacrifices, just "agree" or "not agree." And that's how the survey questions were presented. But what's worse, supporters of the proposal will say that approximately 70 percent of those surveyed are in favor of the McEuen Park concept plan. That is simply not the case.

I'm actually in favor of most of their suggestions. But the fact is, dog parks, amphitheaters, pavilions, skate parks, basketball and tennis courts don't require lake front property to exist. But boat launches do. I find it hard to believe the architects of this plan couldn't improve McEuen Park without entirely eliminating a very popular and highly used public boat ramp.

STEVE SHAMION

Post Falls