CC #1 -- The Same Old Point Of View
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 10/24/2012 - 2:52pm
A previous letter (by Janice Ayers) has presented no new arguments FOR the KDC project, and failed to address the arguments made by people such as I and others who are against it. Instead, she engages in a childish ad hominem attack. That is exactly what I got in response to my first letter on this topic.
Yes, there is pride of ownership in that ad in the paper. The people who paid for it are the same ones who have revealed their names in the many letters, meetings and candidate forums on this topic. This is still a small enough town so eventually we realize we all are just friends and neighbors. That is why it's so wonderful to live here. Still it is delicious to know that the ad must have hit a really good spot, to evoke such a reaction.
PLEASE review the FACTS about this project. Soon you will realize there are NONE -- just slick marketing hype, vague generalities, no even a final, official draft of the general idea. Yet they are sure it will "only" cost $28M, without explaining HOW they got that number. Somebody just guessed, but we are not allowed to see on what basis. Officially, publicly all we know is what is published pro and con in the voter guide, and in the letters to the editor in our local media.
The kids DO have access to books, libraries and computers even now. We DO have a BRIC. The KDC project as outlined most recently does not even explicitly promise to consolidate these and other services in one supposedly convenient place, the outline never mentions what will become of the buildings and other facilities after the KDC is build. So far the proponents simply have not bothered to define the project and its numerous, varied, actual and potential effects on the community, other than glowing pie in the sky hype.
After the candidate forum held by the Chamber of Commerce at WNC back in May, I asked Molly Walt for specifics about this project, such as the presentations submitted to the Board or the advisory committees that are mentioned in the meeting minutes but are not published on the Carson City government or library websites. I am still waiting for her to tell me she found the documents, either hard copy or on line, and that she is ready to share the information. After the League of Women Voters forum at the Community Center last week, I asked Phyllis Patton where are the archiect's drawings and engineering specifications, based on which someone has estimated the cost of the KDC to be $28M. Just like Molly, she too promised to find the information. I am not holding out hope I will see anything from either of them, not before the election.
Further discussion, for example in the candidate forums, revealed interesting new views such as one coming from Brad Bonkowski, according to whom the vote on CC #1 is just ADVISORY, that it does not COMMIT the Board either way, this is just an exploratory exercise to see if there is any potential funding for it at all. He also said a YES vote will NOT bind the Board to build the KDC, and a NO vote will NOT kill the project. A Yes vote will only START the process to VET the project...!!!
Brad may have given the only possible honest answer, but where the hell have we heard THIS before? Oh, yes, in 2008 when the media refused to vet a presidential candidate before the election. And again in 2010 when the Speaker told the House that we'll just have to pass it (obamacare) to find out what's in it... ARE YOU KIDDING...??? This kind of imperious attitude does NOT belong in any dealings between friends and neighbors.
The KDC project, just like any project, must be defined, specified and vetted BEFORE it is put up for a vote by the people who will be stuck with paying for it. The proponents have NOT done so. Therefore the only logical, responsible vote is a resounding NO.
Peter Hennessey, Ph.D.
And yes, I too love Carson City
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