Close-mindedness creates division

To the Editor:

Opportunities for progress and moving forward could have taken place a long time ago if proponents of a recreation center would have come alongside Martin County. Instead, the Fairmont Area Community Center Foundation (FACCF), the Community Center Advisory Board (CCAB), 1590 organizers, and Mayo Clinic have stubbornly dug in their heels creating division when the majority of citizens would much rather have found a way to compromise.

Consider this: City council members in favor of this huge expense were voted off, during two different elections. Results garnered from surveys disclosed a majority stated they “would not use” many of the proposed rec. center amenities listed on the survey. This was the result, even after an attempt at stacking the deck by a council member who provided them to patrons at a local restaurant, to hand-gather more favorable surveys . . . but it didn’t work entirely.

Since the beginning, unyielding proponents of the rec. center have not been a bit open to any other location, period. Locations along State Street, or centrally located downtown nearby the public library have been suggested. However, these ideas are abruptly dismissed by the unwilling. The plan devised for the SMEC building by C4SF is a well-worked, affordable, fiscally responsible plan. The citizens of Fairmont would like to see good stewardship with the resources and amenities we already have.

FACCF, CCAB, 1590 and Mayo were unresponsive to the Five Lakes Mall location opportunity. The former JCP has a room above it that was purposely part of the building plan when built, parking is plentiful, the mall’s corridor perimeter could be enhanced as a walking track; a health drink bar or snack shop would fit the former coffee shop; Dunham’s fits the need for sportswear and equipment; there is an indoor playground and the center would bring more business to the mall. We already have a hockey rink, it can be upgraded right where it is. No one I am aware of is against the upgrade – the sign of a giving community, not a stingy one

As stated during the Nov 9th workshop: 22 percent of people in Fairmont follow an exercise routine. This does not necessarily mean that all 22 percent exercise at a facility. When I answer, “yes” to that question, my exercise routine takes place either on home equipment, outdoors or at a local free exercise group. 2. Citizens voted for the school levy to pay for the Fairmont High School CTE Expansion Building. Yes, and we will still be paying on that, the water treatment plant, Martin Co. Maintenance Facility Bldg. and the upcoming Law Enforcement Center. If it’s a choice between paying my property taxes or paying a membership, guess which decision wins. 3. Phrases like, “squabble over a number” (name withheld) and “details and minutia” (name withheld) are uppity and out-of-touch with the income of the majority of Fairmont citizens. 4. “Major donors will be forced to rescind their pledges” and “our group will be forced to stop its efforts” statements that imply a shelf-life and attest to rigidity.

5. Those who don’t share her views were blasted as not looking out for youth (name withheld), This was an unfounded insult. Don’t discredit all the individuals and groups behind the myriad youth amenities and programs throughout all of Martin County: CER, mentoring, library programs, the Aquatic Center, hosted summer park activity groups, churches, sports clubs, athletic departments and sports clubs, year-round tournaments, year-round lake and extracurricular activities, to name a few. Don’t belittle the work done by so many on behalf of our youth. The joint effort of the city council, community members, local service organizations and local businesses made possible the all-inclusive playground at Gomsrud Park.

We are not the “Field of Dreams.” Close-minded proponents want a new building in hopes that younger people will move here. Even if younger people move back doesn’t mean they will become paying members, or that they will be taxpayers, athletically inclined, two-income households, or large enough in number to help defray the ongoing costs. Here’s to becoming more open-minded.

Ann Osborn

Fairmont