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558 N. Main St.,
Prineville, OR 97754
Phone: 541.447.6205 |
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| Aquatic center deserves your vote |
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 | | | RON RAASCH/CENTRAL OREGONIAN |
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By Vance W. Tong
The proposed Crook County Aquatic Center is seeking your approval in the November election.
While we at the Central Oregonian feel that there are a lot of questions yet to be answered about this project, we nonetheless feel it deserves your support in November.
Deciding to vote for the construction and operation of the aquatic center is not a cheap proposition.
By approving Measure 7-24, an owner of a $100,000 home can expect to pay an additional $100 in taxes for the next 20 years to fund the construction of the center. That same homeowner can expect to pay an additional $48 per year in taxes for operation of the center for five years if they approve Measure 7-25. Because the center is never expected to turn a profit, you, the voter will be periodically asked to fund the operation of the aquatic center through your property taxes.
However, despite the never-ending support that this center will require, we feel it is worthy of your support.
With the need to attract businesses that provide family-wage jobs, an integral part of that process is making the city attractive to business thereby increasing the livability of the city.
Like the library and golf course, the aquatic center could be one of the building blocks used to increase Prineville's livability factor.
The center would also provide year-round recreation and opportunities for youth and adult activities alike. It would also provide people who need aquatic therapy with an option other than traveling to Bend.
It should also be pointed out that this is a facility that will be paid for by residents living within the boundaries of the Crook County Parks and Recreation District. We feel that if the center is approved, those residents should receive some type of discount for use of the center - much in the same way that the golf course offers a discount to people living within Prineville.
It's true that approving the construction and operations measures is an expensive decision. However, it is a decision that we feel deserves your support. Vote yes for Measures 7-24 and 7-25.
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