LETTERS: LAKE PLAN SMELLS FISHY

To the editor:

My wife and I are from a fairly large East Coast city, and in 1988 we were looking for a place to retire to. We were tired of the rapid growth of our area without the good quality of life that was to go along with this growth. We found this quality of life in abundance here in Southeast Missouri. So we retired here in 1995.

On July 30 we went to our first meeting on the proposed lake project (near Millersville), and we were not surprised at the turnout. A project that will affect thousands of taxpayers pulled only 150 people, and most of these people were from one county.

I feel that not only the landowners whose property would be taken for the lake are victims, but every taxpaying citizen of both Cape Girardeau and Bollinger counties as well. The proposed one-cent tax that would be levied on all citizens in both counties is just the beginning. After the lake is built, where are the funds going to come from for the upkeep of the lake and all the new and existing roads and bridges along with the increase in law enforcement and cleanup crews? You guessed it: more taxes.

At the meeting, W.B. Sandlin stated that he was there to answer everyone's questions. The question most people asked was, "Why the lake?" I believe this is the only question he could answer without doing the Texas shuffle. His answer was, "For recreation, and to bring or have companies relocate here."

I lived in an area where, in 1972, a 949-acre lake was put in. The small town that was approximately 11 miles from it saw no abundance in growth, and after a few years the local people who were to enjoy this lake were pushed out when they started to bus people in from New York City and Philadelphia.

I have seen Cape Girardeau grow in the past eight years. We here in Bollinger County also are seeing a positive growth, and it's partially because of a man named Ivey, who is relocating some of his manufacturing plants here. This will not only bolster employment, but in all probability is or will be a drawing power for other companies to relocate here. Most companies look at the quality of life, schools, availability of property and transportation along with taxes, all of which Bollinger County rates high.

I believe most people aren't for this proposed lake with the exception of those who were in the know nine or 10 years ago and bought or tried to buy up property in Bollinger County for the sole purpose of resale and a substantial gain. I think voters in both counties should take heed to the quote of the day in the Southeast Missourian on Aug. 6, which reflects that a show of hands at the July 30 meeting showed an overwhelming opposition to the lake project. Then why is the Regional Commerce and Growth Association so unwilling to just drop the issue? To me, it smells like there is a skunk in the woodpile.

ANDREW J. WIESNER

Marble Hill