Letter to the Editor: To Concerned and Proud Citizens of Allamakee County

To the Editor:

Pardon us, please, but you all are being a bit presumptuous with your claim that the County Board of Supervisors is not appropriately representing the people of Allamakee County. There are many concerned and proud citizens of Allamakee County who believe that Board is representing them responsibly.

A major responsibility of the Supervisors is economic development. The Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center is an excellent project.  Not only will it be an attraction for tourists and help them spend money here, money that will support local businesses, money that will include taxes that will support all of us in our state and county, but it will also provide us, the adults and children of Allamakee, an excellent way to come to a better understanding of the treasures of the natural environment in which we live.

There are many of us, residents of Allamakee County and beyond, who have made a financial pledge to support this project. If each of you who oppose tax support for the project would each support it with your head and heart - and a monetary contribution - the use of tax dollars could be greatly diminished.

Instead of opposing this project, why not be proud that our corner of Iowa has the vision and the will to produce a center that could become an attraction like the Eagle Center in Winona or the National River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque (albeit, on a smaller scale)? Why not celebrate the fact that we live in an area of undeniable beauty and be generous enough to share it with people from all over? Why not teach our children and grandchildren about the history of the place they live - how the river has provided an opportunity for work and play for years and years?

Sincerely,

Mary and Bruce Palmborg
Lansing