To the editor:

Let’s take a look at some of the “needs/wants” our city officials have obligated us, the taxpayers of Lawrence, to pay:

1. Rock Chalk Park — $25 million plus $300,000 per year operating costs.

2. New library — $18 million.

3. New sewage treatment plant — $105.5 million.

4. Farmland Industries industrial park improvements — $10 million.

In addition, school officials are in the process of spending the $92 million bond money approved for school improvements. After all of this, we now learn that school officials are likely to increase our property taxes to make up for a shortfall in state funds.

The real kicker though, is the $30 million being proposed for new police facilities. This “need” was identified before the Rock Chalk Park “want” was funded. Now, we are over a barrel. We need the new police facility, but one must ask why this was delayed until the recreation center was “pushed” past the voters?

To make matters worse, Commissioner Farmer is not convinced a public vote is needed, that the city could legally pay for the project through a property tax increase. As Farmer put it, regarding a vote on this issue, “Not everybody will judge the issue on the merits.”

I am glad that Mr. Farmer knows so much better than the taxpayers. Don’t worry too much, Mr. Farmer. I imagine most voters, as will I, will vote for this obvious “need,” with a bad taste in their mouths over the way Rock Chalk Park was put forward first even when this need was known.

I, for one, will get rid of that bad taste in my mouth come election time!