We need to keep R&E site for community

We strongly oppose the sale of the University of Idaho’s 77-acre Research and Extension Center property. Very sadly, and we hope it doesn’t come to this, if money cannot be found to keep the extension center in Sandpoint operating, there would be no further cost to the university upon retention of the property. The land should be retained for use in the future as originally intended for the benefit of the citizens of Idaho.

It would be extremely short-sighted to allow private, commercial interests to take advantage of temporary state budget shortfalls by suggesting the land be sold, thus sacrificing the future use of the property for educational purposes. The property is in an ideal location for a future University of Idaho, Sandpoint campus, or for re-establishing a research and extension center, or for any other, yet unimagined, educational purpose.

If, unfortunately, the extension center is closed, the university could generate money by leasing the land for horticultural uses, such as a nursery, or a commercial farm, or greenhouse to grow produce for local markets — or lease to a stable and riding school, or perhaps to those who proposed an indoor ice skating rink which is a desire of many people in our community. Many other ideas can surely be proposed. The money gained from leasing the property should be placed in a protected endowment fund to be used by the university solely for re-establishing an educational presence in Sandpoint.

We must not allow a temporary budget shortfall, even if “temporary” means 20 or more years, to rob the citizens of Sandpoint and Bonner County of the precious opportunity of having a greatly needed educational facility in North Idaho.

Selling the Clark Fork field campus was extremely short-sighted and a grave mistake.

Needlessly selling the Research and Extension land in the heart of Sandpoint would be mindless and foolhardy. By doing so, our state representatives and university administrators would be breaching our public trust. Do not allow even one acre of land which was designated by the Idaho Legislature in 1912 for research and educational use to be lost. The land is irreplaceable. It must not be taken from us in one gulp or in many small bites, as was suggested by starting with 5 acres now and who knows how many next time.

The citizens of Idaho are watching and counting on public officials to save what is rightfully ours.

SANDRA E. DEUTCHMAN and PHILIP A. DEUTCHMAN

Sandpoint