Letters to the editor update

Great letter in today's Times-News on the proposed soccer complex from Allen Smith of Hendersonville:

The commissioners’ $1.15 million decision to purchase Highland Lake Golf Course is an insult to open government principles as well as a very clear shot from the hip. Perhaps it was a clever move to acquire 65 acres of flood plain property without a development study. Have they noticed that all the golf course greens are raised?

A most casual review reveals that several other areas are already developing soccer facilities, namely Fletcher, Mills River, Edneyville Community Park, as well as the recently improved Jackson Park fields. How many are needed?

Isn’t there a local government team or council that reviews overall sports and recreation facilities? Where’s its report? Also noteworthy is Hendersonville’s plan to create another park adjacent to Harris Teeter’s new complex. The $1.15 million commitment should have been studied and openly reviewed.

Surely what follows the Highland Lake soccer field development is the significant operating cost of personnel, irrigation, lights and parking as well as expanding Henderson County Recreation management burden. It’s doubtful that the soccer league will pay these ongoing expenses. Ultimately, this will become a taxpayer cost.

I have a better idea for the commissioners: Just buy it and play golf.

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