To the Editor:
For those who have decided for or against, there is nothing that can be said that will be mind changing. For those of you on the fence?
DEBATE: A discussion of a public question in an assembly involving opposing viewpoints. To engage in argument. To participate in a formal question, issue or the like.
On one side a letter to the “Townspeople of Berlin.” An info letter that reads one side. Soon after a “Summary of Berlin cost analysis” surfaced. An informative read. A good start on cost analysis. Opposing view? Both documents have included disclaimers. “For informational purposes only. It must be noted that all figures provided are estimates and considerations speculative.” What this means to me is that we are not sure yet what the end result means to the community. We are in a community-wide debate.
The seed was planted many months ago. The forward motion only started last month. There was a two day notice provided for a public site viewing. There is a third figure on construction compliance, not in line with the previous two, not published. What is the rush?
I think this is a time we should step back, deliberate and consider. We should determine more precisely what our needs are, comprise an informed cost analysis and also look at other possible scenarios. Thirty days is not enough time to be informed.
I SAY NO! NOT NOW.
Remembering the past, we purchased land on Sand Bank road for a garage site only to find it unsuitable to build on. We had to have a gradall to dig ditches, only to find it was too big to fit on most of our roads. It sat around and rusted. We have also entertained purchasing land next to the transfer station, declining our offer because it was in a designated flood plain.
This purchase decision should not be based on a field of dreams, “build it and they will come,” but on responsible definitions of our space needs, maintenance costs and the impact it will have on the community.
Richard von Schilgen
Berlin