McEUEN: No time for spendthrifts

Both our own city and country are experiencing the worst economic times since the Great Depression. Despite the floundering economy and its unknown and precarious future, the leadership here in Coeur d'Alene is seriously considering their McEuen Park upgrade project. Soon they will decide whether to obligate the city to a massive public works project which, by their own estimates, will cost 10s of millions of our tax dollars. This expenditure is optional. Our town does not need this new park and can very easily survive by not spending one extra dime on such a project.

Perhaps Madam Mayor and our City Council members should re-evaluate their own capabilities in the glow of their past accomplishments. Most recently they all worked quite feverishly to promote the "Educational Corridor" project undertaken by our local junior college. They were all quite pleased when their plans worked and this land was purchased for more than $10 million in tax money.

How has that worked out? Was that a resounding financial success or a profound financial disaster? I dare them to compare. Get a current appraisal on that property from an independent firm and see how much of the public's tax money was wasted.

This is not the time to spend any money foolishly. We need wise leadership. These difficult circumstances demand fiscal austerity, not a spendthrift mentality. Even if the McEuen proposals were ideal and embraced by every citizen, they could wait until we have a clearer trend of a recuperating economy. Put off the project until at least the economy improves.

DAVID TOLLE

Post Falls