Miller demonstrating lack of vision on byway

Sandpoint Mayor Ray Miller has demonstrated his lack of vision on the bypass issue in his unbridled praise of ITD, while castigating City Council members. Is he so anxious to spend taxpayers' money to the tune of $60 million per mile on a 2.1-mile section of highway that ITD itself admits will not address east-west issues, nor emergency access questions?

Mr. Miller should be asking himself how to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the proposed addition of the bypass park. Will he do that with higher taxes and more automatic increases for services? A true holder of vision might well ask how the land allocated to the bypass might create income for the Parks Department. Could property be deeded to the city and turned into a city/county municipal golf course that may prove to be a revenue generator in the future? Could a portion of the bypass land be leased to the Elks to round out an 18-hole course, proceeds from the lease going to park maintenance? Might there be a public transport plan that addresses regional concerns, especially with the advent of the University of Idaho on Boyer?

To quote Mr. Miller, "The bright spot is it's an election year."

BARNEY BALLARD

Sandpoint