The vocal minority has been asked to stop complaining and support the community center. First, I believe the “vocal minority” is, in fact, a majority of the residents of Cook County. I am quite sure the “vocal minority” is a majority of the taxpayers of the county.
Second, we are already supporting the project through the payment of the sales tax. More importantly, the taxpayers will continue to support the community center through the payment of real estate taxes to provide for the admitted annual income shortfall. The amount is yet to be determined but it is in everyone’s best interest to keep it as small as possible.
I live in the West End. It would cost me $7-plus per trip in fuel costs alone to use the facilities for one day. If I were a member, using the facilities two – three times per week it would cost me $56 – 84 per month plus a projected family membership of $61 or $117-145 per month.
The current family pool pass is $27 per month (the article didn’t say how many monthly memberships exist).
The same economics apply to the East End and the Gunflint Trail. How many families outside of Grand Marais are going to pay these costs? The Y’s sliding fees don’t cover costs to get to and from the facility. The reality is this is a Grand Marais center funded by the county.
I always believed that the weakness of the proposal was the ongoing revenue vs. expenses shortfall. However, is anyone else concerned by the decreasing size; increasing costs and erosion of the remaining uncommitted sales tax funds as the project proceeds?
My hope is that someone slows this runaway train down (the “field of dreams” will be built) and addresses the balancing of facility needs, annual expenses and realistic revenue projections so that all of us can continue to “support” the project. Quite frankly, I prefer to see my tax dollars go to fund the hospital, schools, public safety, public roads and other similar needs.
Frank A. Dvorak
Tofte
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