Just my opinion
W ell folks, we've done it again. Someone came to town with an idea for economic growth and we shot them down. Seems to be a popular refrain.
I don't know Jim and Debra Whitfill but I applaud their willingness to invest in Marion County Lake. It's too bad they had to experience the "not in my backyard" attitude that permeates many creative ideas around here.
Personally — and that's what this is
What about a compromise? Why not go ahead with the cabins and paddle boats and use one of the cabins for a café? Just a thought.
Commissioner Dan Holub is lamenting the loss of revenue and the loss of improvements in the lake hall since the Whitfills have decided not to go forward with their plans.
Had things moved forward, they intended to insulate their half of the lake hall and make the inside more attractive. And the county was going to insulate the other half.
Now it seems that won't happen.
Holub seemed to think letting the Whitfills operate a café in half the lake hall was a great idea in that it would provide some revenue from a building that isn't utilized all that much.
Again, just my opinion, but why not go ahead with insulating the building and other improvements? Why not make the hall more attractive and user-friendly so that it could be used year-round? As it is, it's hard to cool in the summer and not used in the winter because it's too expensive to heat. Wouldn't updating the building take care of those issues? Then, it could be rented year-round.
(Did I mention this is just my opinion?)
Applaud the Whitfills for trying. Don't blame them for changing their minds. It's just too bad they had to find out the hard way that progress doesn't come easily to Marion County.
— DONNA BERNHARDT
