Editor’s Notes

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

On Nov. 7 the county voters will have the opportunity to vote on whether or not the county should construct a new Olympic size pool.
The pool would be located in a current parking lot at the Emery High School. I think all of the people who would vote yes for such a project are the ones who can’t vote. The little people. Ask any child if he or she thinks a pool is a good idea and chances are they would vote in the affirmative for a pool.
I remember as a young child traveling with my parents once to Arizona. My brother and I wouldn’t even let our parents consider staying at a motel that didn’t have a pool. We were very insistent that we have the opportunity to swim at the end of a long day of traveling. I remember one trip my friend and I sat in the back seat and repeated pool, pool, pool at least 100 times or more so my parents would catch on that a pool was a necessity.
I am old but I’m sure times haven’t changed that much. The Castle Dale pool has been the source of much fun for my family. I began taking the boys there for swimming lessons not long after they learned to walk and they went back every year until they became very proficient swimmers.
Our children in these small communities need the opportunity to learn how to swim. Visitors to our area need the opportunity to take their children swimming while they are in our communities. A pool can be quite an attractive asset to a community and adds to its value.
I am a firm believer in asking for forgiveness and not for permission. If it were up to me which it isn’t, I wouldn’t put a pool initiative on the ballot. Why give people the opportunity to say no?
I can’t figure out why anyone would say no, but there are some people who seem to be against everything anyone tries to do. One reason people might say no is that they don’t have small children or teenagers any more and would never use the pool. But so what? If you ever have grandkids they might show up to visit; they could use the pool. Some people might not want a tax increase to pay for the maintenance of the pool; any tax would be minimal. The estimated cost to maintain the pool is between $80,000-100,000 per year. Castle Dale City has already pledged $10,000 a year for 10 years to help with these costs. I expect the other cities on the western side of the county could do the same and help defray costs for the county.
The newspaper has conducted a web survey for the past week with the question being: Would you support the construction of a new olympic size swimming pool in Castle Dale at Emery High School. With 37 voters; 13 had voted no, two were undecided and 22 had voted yes. Like I said before why would anyone vote no?
Even if you don’t plan to enjoy a pool yourself, why deprive others of that opportunity with a no vote?
The commissioners have said if the county votes no then they will not pursue a pool against the majority of the county’s wishes.
Remember the little people, those with no voice and no vote who would enjoy a cool dip on a hot Emery County summer afternoon.