Local residents express views on Skylon decision

Reader: City Council went against constituent’s wishes

To the Editor: Having attended the Sept. 17 City Council meeting, I am compelled to express my opinions on the action of the Council concerning the purchase of the Skylon Ballroom.

I am disappointed in the manner in which this all developed after the May vote on the bond for the purchase of the Skylon was rejected. While the Council’s actions may have all been legal, it seemed very undemocratic, as well as unethical.

Undemocratic, in the way that the City Council ignored the wishes of the voting public and devised a plan that catered to the wishes of a few.

Unethical, in the way that after being told the citizens of Hartington would make the final decision on this issue, the Council voted for the purchase of the Skylon without a Town Hall meeting or giving the public little or no opportunity to be informed of the current plan, much less having a voice in the decision.

It was obvious that at the Sept. 17 meeting all decisions had been made, as groundwork had already been completed and footings dug for the new location of the ballroom.

I am convinced one of the first mistakes that was made by the City Council was the panic they felt over wanting to save the Skylon at all cost, and the fear of not ever being able to get another facility for the community.

Council members thought of trying to be transparent with the citizens after the bond vote failed was nonexistent.

A Council that has meaningful conversation with the community and involves its people is far stronger than a Council that excludes its citizens.

I must admit, I know very little about how city taxes can or cannot be spent. However, I do believe that had the Skylon been torn down with a little patience, tax dollars could have been set aside to make a new, bigger and better facility.

The possibility of grant dollars or perhaps private donations could also have been pursued.

There were other options. Our mayor has stated “if we don’t do this now we may never get an event center.”

In my mind, I can’t help but think there is more to this than the public knows.

— Rich Pedersen, Hartington