LETTER: Tracy provides effective leadership

Talk about it

To the Editor:

In the fall of 2001, there was a proposal before the Mitchell City Council for new lights on the baseball stadium at Cadwell Park. The project passed first reading.

It would have been easy for new Councilman Ken Tracy to sit on the sideline and let the project proceed as written. But Ken knew the project’s importance and challenged the city to make sure it was being done right.

At the time, Mitchell’s future chances of hosting the state amateur baseball tournament were very much in doubt. Poor lighting at Cadwell Park had become a major issue, and Sioux Falls, our competition, had just spent big money on its stadium and lighting.

Ken contacted the Mitchell Baseball Association and asked some direct questions: Does this proposal solve our lighting problem or is it just a Band-Aid? Are we spending money wisely or just throwing money down a rat hole only to face the same problem 10 years from now?

After learning that the proposal only slightly increased our lighting and the new fixtures would be mounted on 30-year-old wood poles, Ken realized it was a Band-Aid, not a long-term solution He had the project delayed and worked with Mitchell Baseball and the park board on an upgraded proposal that would solve the problem long-term.

Yes, the upgraded project cost slightly more, but the additional amount is peanuts compared to the return. Mitchell has hosted nine state baseball tournaments since the new lights. Without Ken Tracy’s involvement, that wouldn’t have happened.

I’m not writing this because I think people have a great interest in lights at a ballpark. I’m writing this to let you know the kind of councilman Ken Tracy has been and the kind of mayor he will be.

Ken believes if a project is worth doing, it’s worth doing right. He doesn’t go about his work with a lot of fanfare or seek credit. He’s a quiet leader who just gets things done.

Ken Tracy is the kind of leader we need to be our next mayor.

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