Need or want

To the Editor:

A need is something necessary to live and function. A want is something that can improve your quality of life. Using these criteria, a need includes food, clothing, shelter, and medical care, while wants include everything else.

The proposed community center appears to be a want since it is not necessarily needed for a person to function as is food, clothing, and shelter. Fairmont needs to have manufacturing, retail, technology, education, and housing to have jobs for citizens to live and function. Employment would be the first most logical reason for anyone to come to Fairmont. Yes, the community center would be a wonderful thing for all, but is there really enough money to build it without an increase in taxes?

The article in the Sentinel on Aug. 4, 2022, states that the committee was close to having 20 million dollars, their projected budget at that time. They speak of 14 million dollars from the half percent sales tax voted on in 2017. Is there really 14 million dollars? What amount has been collected so far? It seems like the difference would have to be a bond at close to 10 million dollars. If the city does bond for this difference, wouldn’t it be the city or citizen taxpayers responsible for interest and loan payment?

Many of the citizen taxpayers are on a fixed budget or living on their monthly social security payment or low income. They cannot possibly pay more taxes, especially when there is a need for street and sewer improvement, improvement on the courthouse, water treatment facility, swimming pool and whatever else the city owes. This should be taken into consideration.

Yes, as stated above this community center would be a wonderful thing if only we know what will be the actual cost and who will be responsible for it. There was an open house on Nov. 2, 2022, to see floor plans and costs prepared and to ask questions; however, it was the same old thing, they don’t have them completely figured out yet. When will it be known? This community center cannot be built now and paid for later.

One more thing, the proposed community center includes the YMCA having some operating function. The YMCA is operating many facilities throughout the state. Why are many of them closing in the more populated cities? Will Fairmont with a population of 10,000 or less have the membership to generate enough revenue? There will be membership dues, many of their programs will require fees to attend and no doubt they will ask for donations. Is everyone really ready for this?

Whatever you think about building this center, you should contact your council member and share your thoughts. They will be voting on this in the next weeks. You voted for them, they are your voice.

Darlene Lutz

Fairmont