This won’t be proof because I suspect those siding with my recent letter would be more inclined to tell me so than those not agreeing. That has by far been the case. However, it is also true I heard hardly any public support for the center beforehand. The sense I had before writing and now after doing so remains much the same. A common perception is the county center project is unnecessary and costly.
I’m aware of the “free money” argument regarding the project and find that approach to be its usual delight.
I’ve heard the “needs of youth” position which seems oblivious to the fact that five days a week for nine months of the year those needs are addressed in the facility we already provide and pay for called schools.
I have listened patiently over the need for meeting and nuptial facilities in addition to the half dozen church halls supposedly so overburdened that a public hall is required and needs to be backed up by a harbor pavilion for overflow wedding ceremonies. I wonder if we have sufficient florists to meet the demand.
Promotion and creation of “attractions” will, it seems to me, almost always be of doubtful value if doing so comes at the expense of being true to the who and what of this area’s appeal. Visitors don’t come here to admire condo architecture or view Thai canoes. The North House is a by far better example of a workable and successful direction than the center project can ever hope to be.
Let me close with a comparison. Let’s say Cook County with its position on Lake Superior and close access to the well-known Boundary Waters is comparable to a wonderfully tasty, thin crepe. If someone says being a waffle is what we should be, I suggest to you the recipe to turn crepe into waffle creates the crapple.
The moral: be true to what you are because there’s little value in failing at what you aren’t.
Lacking in community spirit I no less remain your humble servant
Harry Drabik
Hovland
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