Why I’m voting “No” on the Lake Leota Referendum
I must say that since we moved to Evansville 18 years ago, the Lake Leota non-binding referendum is probably one of the most controversial measures on the ballot. That is, except for the school referendum back about 10 years ago. That first school referendum (the one before the new high school approval) also has some parallels to the Lake Leota issue and probably the reason that on its first try, the referendum failed. At the time, the school board decided to put an intermediate school project on the ballot that in effect, was decided from the top-down. The feeling around town was that there was no buy-in from the residents on the intermediate school because no other options were discussed.
How did the school referendum finally pass? Gary Albrecht, the new superintendent of school, worked with a facilitator and held a series of listening sessions and fully engaged the community. There was no excuse for any resident to not get involved in the decision-making process for the referendum. I have to admit that I wasn’t in favor of the high school at first, but after several meetings with many of my fellow residents of the district, we agreed that the high school was the best option and that it was well-reasoned. We all had a stake in the outcome. We then helped convince others. The ballot measure passed and I think most people are happy with the results.
So what does this have to do with Lake Leota? I just don’t think that I have really heard about all of the possible options and the long-term effects. While I realize that $2M is a lot of money, I would be comfortable with a tax increase if I knew how to compare the options and that I would receive direct benefits of the decision. The group “Save Our Lake Environment” should be commended for the great work that they have done, but as the title implies, it appears that there is only one option. I can’t recall hearing about any sort of similar group called something like “Friends of the Allen Creek Watershed” who would devote similar efforts along the entire upstream portion of the creek to ensure that soil-laden runoff would not run downstream and collect behind the dam. Since the problem with the lake is the filling of sediment derived from the watershed, the two really need to be coupled or we will be putting this back on the ballot for our kids to decide. If we could ensure that sediment wouldn’t fill in the lake in a 20-year window, I’d be more willing to support the referendum.
I also recall the initial meeting with DNR where the DNR representatives said that they were not in the business of dredging any more, that millpond structures are being removed all over the state, and that we would have the opportunity to restore continuous trout stream from the wetland south of town through the park and further upstream. The upstream portions of Allen Creek are fed by cool spring water and trout restoration could include portions of the park. I haven’t heard anything since.
With all of us feeling the squeeze of the economy, we really have to think about whether we are willing to spend the extra taxes on a true benefit. While I love to watch the reflection of the Fourth of July fireworks off the lake, I’m just not certain that we would be making a sound investment. If I were certain that we fairly looked at all the options, like Gary Albrecht asked us to do with the schools, I would be willing to support the Lake Leota referendum. At this point, I don’t feel like I’ve seem all the options, nor has the City considered all the possibilities.
I’ll vote no on the Lake Leota referendum. This time.
Jim Hurley
223 W. Main St.
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That was a great well thought out piece Mr. Hurley.
ReplyDeleteThe reason I will vote NO for the Leota Referendum is partly what was covered by Mr. Hurley and partly timing. I think the want to dredge far outweighs any conceivable need. We need a waste treatment plant, we need safe drinking water, and we need more songs about rainbows.
The vocal minority of downtown Evansville has no problem pulling at the purse strings of the city with little regard to people who may not live a block or two away from Leonard Leota Park. What lake environment? The baseball games were still played, the Fourth of July still happened, and Allen Creek pushed on.
The city of Evansville has a habit of using tunnel vision when making major decisions, from the westside soggy bottom developments, the bio plant, and this issue. I want more options, not just, " Chicken or Chicken." I'm not taking the butchers word on this steak. S.O.L.E. wants to rub a bunch of pine tree air freshener on the millpond and call it good enough.
I want choices and other voices. There is more than one way to eat a Reeses. I want people from both sides of downtown to be ushered in on this issue, new blood if you will.
I think s.o.l.e has good intentions, but are only doing what they think is best, not so much the public. If s.o.l.e. wants the lake dredged my way or the highway style, set up a lemonade stand and start saving. If you want to use any public money, don't shove this down our throat, give us something to chew on.