To the editor:

First of all I would like to thank the many citizens for their compliments for the 2009 Veterans’ Day Assembly program, that experience was a memorable occasion for me.
I am going to share my opinion or outlook of some issues that our city leaders are undergoing. I would like to compliment those involved with our current construction to our schools and aquatic center. Those seem to be progressing along very well, and they will be great assets to this community. However, there are four issues I would like to share my opinion on. Those being the main street renovations, Benco Manufacturing closing, Belle Plaine beautification programs, along with our new city council.
Regarding the main street renovations, we citizens all know our downtown district is a rundown, depressed, and neglected region. This is because of years of train smog, traffic, and former city leaders shrugging their shoulders at the facade needs, so plain and simple our business district must be redone. Many people looking for a place to live base it off appearance of the town, along with other major assets. Assets such as job opportunities, city leadership, schools, and location. Appearance is a positive by opinion, and our business district has a negative effect. Our Historic Main Street needs to meet the standard to its name. We can do that with putting trees back on the street along with the historical needs for example: old themed street lights, benches, or even railroad memorabilia to mix in our history. Imagine our historic downtown on Christmas Eve with lights in the trees and the year round historic feel.
The closing of Benco Manufacturing is and will be a major blow to our town economically, socially, and mentally, bringing in the debate of redoing our downtown district. Refilling the Benco building and the older building, must be the mayor and city council’s number one priority. This town may not see the consequences from this in an immediate form, but the outcome will be appalling. So please make this your top priority, for the future of the community.
The third topic I would like to converse about is the beautification program. Our recent hosting of the Walldog painters was a success. The city is in full motion in making this a better place to reside. Walking trails, entrance scenery, and other miscellaneous tasks are at hand within the BPCDC and Belle Plaine Beautification. I have one question regarding these topics. Why do we need a visitor center? Isn’t that what a museum and community center are for? I am fond of walking trails and a prairie grass park. But we do not need to spend money on a visitor center. Instead use that money to construct a sidewalk to the high school on 13th avenue, so students or others don’t walk in the street. That would be a wise idea.
Finally, congratulations to Mr. Parizek, Mr. DeRycke, and Mr. Reekers for succeeding this year’s city council election. I would also like to thank Mr. Kurovski for his hard work on the council. We are at the start of a very interesting time in our history. All these big topics at hand will test our council and citizens. I would like to also mention to those people who do not think Mr. Parizek will do a fond duty, give him a chance. People make mistakes in life, and if you don’t, I would like to meet you. I am 100% positive every living person has made a mistake once in a lifetime, but I respect anyone’s opinion. So please give our newly elected member a chance at success, instead of being judgmental and stubborn. Yet, it will also help if people actually end the inactivity in voting. A democracy doesn’t work if people choose not to participate. Thank You

Sincerely,

Tony Jones
Belle Plaine, IA