Editorial Board,
What, would be wrong with Mr. McCoy and Mr. Roth pooling their resources and building this event center? (Perhaps the members of the editorial board could also invest their money and reap the benefits?) They could “calculate the risk with carefully compiled and analyzed information to help make this the best event center it could be.” They would then be able to enjoy 100% of the rewards that you say this center will produce. Your editorial says, “We must not be afraid of the possibility of failure,” but maybe the architect and the contractor prefer to get their reward, up-front.

Nothing speaks more highly of a city, to out of town visitors, than the maintenance of its existing infrastructure. Nothing improves the quality of life, for the residents of a city, more than the maintenance of its infrastructure. Take a drive down Sam Houston or Laurent or Lone Tree and reflect on what a pleasure it is, compared to a few years ago. This is the wise use of tax dollars and progress that everyone can enjoy. Now, how about a drive on Crestwood, or South Ben Wilson or Glasgow or the very dangerous Guy Grant or many other streets that can be named? What is your opinion of a local government that allows these deplorable streets?

The city and county government should not be spending money on more consultant studies or buying property in the flood plain or more parks that can not be maintained or worrying about somebody’s grandchildren. There are immediate needs that should be addressed.

There is a finite amount of taxpayer generated money. As your editorial says, “We understand there are risks involved”, so why risk this finite amount of money when there are so many projects that need to be done that have no risk, and numerous, proven rewards? You editorial says, “We think Victoria is ready to take that chance”. This reader believes that the local government should stop ‘taking chances’ with other people’s money and just take care of the business at hand.