Dave Tatarowicz calculated that taxpayers will pay $1,065,000 for D2D. Mr. Carlton lowered that somewhat, pointing out that it included a private donation by a misspelled donor earmarked for bleachers. Perhaps a fair compromise would be to just build the bleachers and forget the turf and dome.
A D2D committee member wrote me that he knows families who won’t move here because of sub-standard athletic facilities. I’d rather see those families move to communities that already fulfill their athletic standards. Then we can use the taxpayers’ remaining $815,000 (assuming that $250,000 is the bleacher earmark and that the other funds actually exist) to improve the arts and academics in Shorewood schools instead of cutting back. This is a more positive way to build students’ self esteem. The point of competitive sports is to prove you’re better than everyone else.
If I had a voice concerning D2D, I’d just say no. And as a taxpayer, I should have a voice.