Yacht Club debacle
To the editor:
The situation at the Yacht Club gets worse and worse with each passing day. The latest aside, the Yacht Club redo plan, makes no sense. This was included in the $60 million Parks Bond issue and, due to the lack of planning on the part of the city (all involved), now funds are falling short on every “planned” park. Why is this? Because no aforethought was done before the bond issue was done. This is an example of incompetence.
The article states that there has been sufficient input from residents, but, by the comments of Public Works Director Mike llczyszyn, it does not appear that anyone is listening to the concerns of the citizens. Another way of doing things to spend “additional” money and putting the taxpayers on the hook.
What should be done is very simple. Stay on budget of the FIRST $60 million and do the best with the funds that are already available. The idea of a big parking garage is nuts. If this is done, will the residents be able to get stickers that allow for free parking?
I bet not, but they will still be on the hook for the cost.
I have been waiting for the city to spell out some of the following: (1) Does the Boat House pay a lease, and if so at what amount?; (2) Are the boat docks paying their way?; (3) Why is there a need to expand the boat dock area?, etc…
If, as Mr. Hernandez states, that “expansion plans for the Yacht Club were done in 2006, what were they and what elaborate changes are considered now? This should have all been thought out and ready to go with the parks GO Bond in the first place. Planning, planning, planning, not after the fact.
This gets to another point: Why is there such a big delay in dealing with the other parks? Again, planning, planning, planning. The lack of which has been the main factor in rising costs and not being able to fulfill the very large promise of our city officials.
Does this sound like a change would be helpful?
Another item that escapes me is when council members, mayor and city manager have questions put to them, their response is no response. Why is this? I’ll guess; they don’t have any believable answers, so they ignore the questions.
Under these conditions why are they council members at all? Or mayor? Or city manager?
Let’s remember folks, we are not Miami and our city needs to remain a “shining place” to live reasonably. Taxes and spending can kill a good thing.
Byron Law
Cape Coral