To the editor:
Wow! What a rainy, hot, and quick moving summer this 2010 is having! I wrote a letter to the local newspapers regarding many ongoing hot topics in Belle Plaine during the loved month of December. Those topics included the ongoing main street renovations, Benco Manufacturing closing, Belle Plaine beautification programs, along with the election of Jason Parizek to the Belle Plaine City Council. I plan on touching up my thoughts with these and adding some more topics to the fire.
First, I would like to welcome back James Kurvoski to the council chamber. Its great having another humble person on our council again. The outcome of Parizek’s ‘time’ on the council was disappointing. I regularly attend city council meetings and in my last letter showed support for Parizek after the election. I supported his views on community topics. It was disappointing seeing the third wards man seat empty frequently. The outcome was pretty substandard and honesty irritating. I could continue to ramble about this subject, but I’m not going to. I hope Jason has a successful future with his life and expansion of his popular new business! Good Luck!
Secondly, Benco is now closed and frankly I still haven’t heard any news updates on refilling the building. I raised the question if this was the city’s top priority to do. Meanwhile I would imagine talks have been held behind closed doors, I would like to ask if this is the top priority? Getting jobs into this community? Yes downtown updates are a necessity and have my support 100%, however, the downtown should be second priority, with job creation being top priority. Recently $10,000 went to the support of a new ‘park.’ I think the need for a prairie park for educational purposes is a great idea. But I think most city taxpayers wouldn’t want public funds going towards the project. I believe most taxpayers would like to spend $10,000 on a job creation study, or $10,000 to pay down the Benco bill to resell it. Great idea? I give good luck to the prairie park and applaud the hard working people involved with the project.
The main street is inches away from having a much needed upgrade! I’m sure our city personnel are ready to get this never-ending project complete and out of their hair. It seems like this downtown revitilation has been ongoing since dirt was created. So all I can address regarding the downtown and the community is to brace yourselves, deconstruction and reconstruction is on the way! Now, I would like to spread the wealth, oh sorry I turned into Obama there for a brief second. I would like to welcome Kyle Spading as Park and Recreation director, and thank Joel Formanek for many great years of service. There are some things I thought I would bring up regarding campgrounds, the police department, our July 4th celebration, and other little things hopefully readers can catch up on.
Regarding campgrounds, I believe the current suggested area for Franklin Campgrounds is indeed not too fastidious. In my opinion I think campgrounds would be a nice addition to the land near the aquatic center, or upper Franklin Park. What the heck when someone camps up there throw in a free admission to the aquatic center, which would be a polite thing to do and show off to outsiders what Belle Plaine has to offer. Regarding the aquatic center I believe it was a beautiful addition to the community. I have heard mixed opinions regarding the aquatic center, but the community did their best with the funds available and future additions may be necessary.
The city recently accepted the resignations of two Belle Plaine policemen. I attended the meeting where is was approved, and I just wanted to comment that unexpected events do pop up and I also agree policemen should stay around until their contracts are complete. Maybe changes are needed to those contracts to make them shorter? The city just purchased a new police car and I just wanted to point out that a SUV would be a great addition to the department during the next the rotation. We have fun winters here in Iowa and cars are not always the most dependable when there is ten feet of snow outside.
The July 4th celebration was another busy day in town. The weather worked with us (surprisingly) and I think the best part was the car show and cruise. Much improved and was the best Belle Plaine has ever held! Many people think a much improved midway, co-ed softball tournament, and a big time concert after fireworks are some things the committee should look into. These where some things I spoke with people about upgrading our July 4th events.
Finally, I would to thank the community for the support during my Student Body President days during last school year. I received plenty of positive feedback for the Kirk Ferentz and Sen. Grassley visits, and the other subjects I was involved in! So I thank the many who supported me! I am still deciding whether to attend school for politics or something else…wish me luck.
Sincerely,
Anthony T. Jones
