LETTERS: LAKE PLAN NOT A GOOD ONE

To the editor:

Within the past two weeks, there have been approximately six articles and one editorial on Senate Bill 363, the lake project. I have also received a survey conducted by state Rep. David Schwab requesting my opinion on this bill.

I'm news here in Bollinger County (two years), so I'm just starting to put the political puzzle together. I cannot comprehend the drive by so few (as stated in the Southeast Missourian as a handful) to produce an unneeded lake at such a high cost to all taxpayers with such a questionable outcome.

When one sits back and takes a good, long look at both Clearwater and Wappapello lakes, both flood and recreational, one starts to question the motive of Sen. Kinder, Stan Crader, Don Thomasson and the handful of supporters of the lake project. Both of these lakes were built by the Army Corps of Engineers for flood control and recreation and to promote growth and development to Wayne County. I believe Sen. Kinder knows how much development and growth came to Wayne County. I believe there wasn't enough to measure. Sen. Kinder should take a drive and take a firsthand look at the shantytown and the rest of the garbage these lakes produced. Stan Crader, to the best of my knowledge, has not invested in the growth of either of these lakes, and both are so close to his operation in Marble Hill.

I just sit here and wonder where all this operational money is coming from to support the Regional Commerce and Growth Association and the lake project. W.B. Sandlin received his salary from RCGA, and it looks like all of the members of the committee have something to gain on the approval of this project -- even some of the landowners, who never owned rural land before the conception of this project.

It has been stated that Sen. Kinder's position is that everyone should have a vote on this subject. Well, I believe the people do have their voices heard back in 1990 when the majority of voters voiced their opposition to this project through their county commissioners. All SB 363 is doing is trying to go through the back door. All the supporters are trying to do is whittle down the opposition. I can't believe Sen. Kinder believes that either Commissioner Gerald Jones of Cape Girardeau County or Commissioner Elwood Mouser of Bollinger County are that ignorant not to listen to their constituents. The majority of them have said no. What do you think will happen when the farmer, from which most of the land will be acquired, starts to farm the land he owned and was grandfathered to him by the proposed bill. I'll bet the EPA will step in after the first fertilizer is applied and stop the farmer from contaminating the new lake. Guess what? No more farm.

I, along with many more, suggest that Sen. Kinder get out from his desk once in a while and talk to his constituents, not just his political backers. Then maybe he will be in touch with all the people. Yup, the little people, the voters of these counties.

ANDREW J. WIESNER

Marble Hill