Thanks, Dogfish. You make some good points, and I can see where I may have been a bit short-sighted in my "proposal." I quoted proposal, however, to clarify that what I wrote about a public recreation center, while it may be the beginnings, was not intended to be interpreted as a proposal, which would (to your point) require a lot more "legs" than what I have down so far to be worthy of presentation. This was only an example of something I think would benefit the community, as a whole, more than the projects that were just approved.

I sympathize with the plight of our local police officers (please thank your wife on my behalf for her service), and I certainly didn't mean to belittle their importance to our community. It's just that I'm not convinced a new police station is going to make any real difference in their ability to control the drug problems. More officers, on the other hand, might help, but that has not been proposed.

In a nutshell, I think the main reason for my distaste is not that the Mayor is placing emphasis on public safety. Rather, it is that new buildings, while they may create a better working environment (in City Hall, anyway), would seem to do little to improve a police crew's ability to prevent crime or a fire crew's ability to put out fires. Their important work is done away from the stations, or at least that is my perception, flawed though it may be.

When I read that contractors had already been selected for these projects, prior to their approval, it suggested to me that there was never any doubt they would be approved, which demonstrates how the way our council is conducting their business holds no regard for outside opinions, public or otherwise.

With regard to your points about the pool idea, while I agree with a lot of what you said, I would argue (I already did) that the Elma ponds are not a safe place for kids to swim. Not only are they located perilously close to the freeway, but they are also full of trash, fishing gear, and occasionally dangerous levels of coliform bacteria from the neighboring cattle farms. The Y in Hoquiam is an option, but it's not very viable for most, considering how much it costs to get to Hoquiam and back with today's gas prices. We did that for a while, but it became hard for us to justify the cost relative to the benefit, so we gave it up. I suppose it's fair to say that is an available option, though, so good point.

The only other thing you mentioned that I have a counterpoint on is the general lack of funds available to small cities. You are certainly correct in pointing that out, but I think that only strengthens my argument that these decisions cannot be made by a few individuals. Not only will these projects that have been approved consume all of whatever budget the city has, but they will also very likely lead to tax increases. Paying higher taxes and receiving no tangible benefits does not sit well with me, and I am hoping that some of my fellow citizens will be willing to help me bring this sort of management of our money into question.

Thanks again for your response. It has inspired me to think these things through a bit more thoroughly.