Concerned citizens are requesting Town Council develop a plan to meet current infrastructure repair and maintenance needs, before spending tax dollars on a regional park and to put the specific use of tax dollars to fund Lakeside Park up for ballot.

Many of us donated over $100,000 of the $150,000 goal to provide needed park amenities. The proposed plan completed by a consultant, hired for $40k, estimates 20 times the original fund-drive goal, or $3.1 million. Town Management proposed funding 75% of the cost with debt financing - on top of several $ million existing debt - to be paid by a Valdese tax increase of 3.5 cents. Other considerations include a phased approach, yet still drawing on tax dollars. We believe that the Registered Voters of the Town of Valdese should have input via public ballot for or against any increased debt, tax increase or spending of tax dollars to specifically fund the proposed amenities at the 300+- acre Lakeside Park.

The 'sudden' discovery that a town facility that was partially abandoned 15 years ago is no longer suitable for police and fire occupancy is a further example of the need for long-range planning.