The history of this Lake reiterates that this is not a natural lake, and many times over it's course has had to be dredged. In this day and age, this is no longer feasible because of the great costs associated; and how long it may truly be before it needs to be dredged again and then at what cost, as everything skyrockets. I truly love lakes and was an avid boater for years. I also realize how important they are for our environment, and the eco system. However, Lake Leota at best will not be dredged deep enough for boats, and will only offer some limited fishing. My fear is that the Lake will then become a mess as a duck pond; an expensive one at that.
I realize I am a transplant to Evansville thus, have no history to this Lake . Was it the drawing card that brought me here to Evansville ……no. Has it been the drawing card to even half the people who have moved here in the last five to ten years?
I have much appreciation for the members of SOLE; for all their tenacity and hard work over the years, and their tackling of the diversity on this project. They are passionate on their beliefs to restore the Lake to the way it was years ago.
I am not saying that the City should go forward with the Lake project, or that it should not. What I do believe is that this issue should go to all the residents of Evansville via referendum, and allow the people to make the decision.
Please keep in mind that Evansville residents have other issues to tackle as well. We shortly will have a new district Fire Station, and are in need of costly work on the water treatment plant. Rode repairs, and flooding issues. As the City Council prepares to work on the City budget, we need to keep in mind that no one necessarily wants property taxes to rise; do we take on the $1.5 million Lake Leota project along with the necessary City infrastructure costs in 2009? Will this increase the property owners taxes, and by how much? Let's deal with the Lake Leota issue in referendum.
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Thank You Barb for your honesty. I have learned more from you in this short post about the Lake plans than we have from the s.o.l.e committee. They act like its a secret. Like it does not matter what the rest of us think, and they are not telling. I for one have a extremely hard tim believing they will keep it to 1.4??,, what happens when they go over? That is why it has to go to referendum.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alder Jacobson on this issue. Referendum.
ReplyDeleteThis city wants to be known as being good for the environment, but all they do is pave paradise. They need to look through community glasses instead of the tunnel vision specs that one group is feeding them.
I still believe that a great nature area can be made out of the former lake bed. Put bark covered hiking trails, plant trees, native grasses, and make it a community project. Let Allen Creek flow under the railroad bridge.
That lake was only good for a backdrop to fire works and concerts.
We have an opportunity to save millions, and make the park a more versatile place for everyone.
Vote Goldie Wilson for mayor. "Save the clock tower!!!"
Matt, the springs throughout the lakebed mean that it will never be anything more than a perpetual wetland. Even if sections were dry for 3 years there would be no guarantee they would stay dry.
ReplyDeleteThe choices are wetland or millpond. No trails. No ballfields.
No they could let it go back to a stream.
ReplyDeleteS.O.L.E What have you really done to raise money to save the mill pond? How much have you raised?
ReplyDeleteGrumps,
ReplyDeleteYou are right, but just like calling a McFly chicken, try telling the city of Evansville they cannot create a development in a low lying area. They could take some of the hundreds of loads of fill from Westfield Meadows and create a very usable area for the people in the lake bed. I would think it would be a lower risk proposition to build a hiking trail in a wetland, than to build a subdivision in one.
Not trying to argue Grumps, but the city needs to come up with alternatives and let the people decide which is the best for the residents at this time.