Questions About New Union Park (Part 2)

Editors Note: Continued From Wednesday

To The Editor:

What does the issue really say the funds will be used for? This project is not well defined. The city is still doing studies. The only thing that is well defined is the raising of our taxes.

The property owners in Union already pay a park tax. Why do we need two?

The recent naming of the new park if the tax issue passes is another example of the city trying to deflect real criticism of the tax issue. I’m not questioning the motives of the people proposing the name. I’m questioning what the city leaders were thinking when they received the request. Could it have been that the name would garner them more yes votes?

The coverage of this issue by The Missourian has done a great disservice to the voters in the city of Union. The job of reporters for the Union Missourian should be ferreting out facts, making sure those facts are put out in a distinct, truthful fashion. The reporters have failed to gather the facts; instead they have restricted their reporting to the false or misleading statements put out by the city officials and the supporters of this issue. If you are wondering if I’m accusing the reporters of being so intertwined with the city of Union officials that it is affecting their objectivity regarding this issue the answer is “yes.”

I could be wrong; it may be they are just taking a lackadaisical approach to their jobs. Possibly that is why we have no details on the Main Street project being a half million dollars over projected cost or details as to what incentives, if any, the city provided to entice a trucking company to locate a few miles down the road.

Bottom line is the city of Union has sufficient funds and a sufficient income stream to build additional sports fields and park amenities without a sales tax increase. These can be accomplished in phases over several years saving the citizens millions of dollars in underwriting fees and interest. If the city wants to build a sports field or park just take a couple million dollars out of the bank and get it done! The city is spending hundreds of thousands of our tax dollars building bump outs and benches on the Main Street project, and paying for decorative updates to privately owned buildings in downtown. If the city wants to build parks it needs to rearrange its priorities not increase its income stream.