Letter To The Editor: What does our community look like ten years into the future?

Editors Note: The views and opinions expressed in this editorial are not necessarily the views or opinions of Oskaloosa News.

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. I recently chose to run for city council. At this time in my life I don’t have any preconceived notions that I am going to change the world. I believe I can help our community become a better place for those living here now and those that may chose to move here. I ran because I thought I could offer a different perspective to the other folks that are serving. I have had the opportunity to live other places, that’s not necessarily good or bad – just different. When we made decisions to move we always considered schools, (until this move as our children are now on their own), and we drove the community to get a “feel” for how the community presented itself. First impressions are important as we looked at how well the homes were kept, what condition the schools were in, what was available for shopping/restaurants and what recreation facilities were available for the kids to utilize, as they were pretty active. As important as roads are, I truly don’t ever remember a conversation about the roads determining where we lived. This is important only if we all would like to see our community grow. As I stated above, facilities like those we’re discussing were one of the deciding factors when we made decisions on which communities we chose to live in.

Mahaska County needs to have facilities that will help people make a decision on where they might want to live and surely the folks that currently live in the county deserve those facilities as well. I am quick to ask for advice from folks that have experience. Just yesterday I asked a past city council person what he remembers most about his time in office and his face lit up as he talked about the elementary school. He remembers the strong emotional feelings people had on both sides of the issue and yet today most folks would agree the elementary school is a positive for the Mahaska County community. I know families that moved to Mahaska County because they saw the new school as evidence the community invests in itself.

You have the opportunity to do good here. You have the chance to devote the necessary resources to a new Environmental Learning Center, to the upkeep of roads and to a new Early Childhood and Recreation Facility. It is not often you can do so much good and not raise taxes to do it. I encourage you to vote yes for Mahaska County’s future.

Ten years from now when asked about your community will you be able to brag about the Environmental Learning Center and the Early Childhood and Recreation Facility or will you point down at the rock under your feet?

Steve Burnett