OUR VIEW: Good to see small SD towns plan ahead

• OUR VIEW

OUR VIEW

Talk about it

We don’t pretend to know if the proposed fine arts center in Chamberlain is a worthy idea.

After all, we haven’t been involved in the planning process, the information-gathering or the gossip that surely is circulating on the streets of Chamberlain and neighboring Oacoma.

Too, we aren’t the ones who will be footing the bill if it’s approved by voters in the Nov. 6 election.

What we do know is this: We sure appreciate the many boosters in that town who are promoting the idea, since we see it as true progress.

Again, we aren’t here to tell voters in that town to vote for or against the project. We just appreciate that people in this region’s small towns are thinking ahead, wondering what they can do to make a difference in the communities.

The proposal is this: Spend about $13 million for a 53,000-square-foot center that would include an auditorium, gymnasium, walking track and weight room. The gym would seat 2,500 and the auditorium 500.

A $5.28 million bond would help fund the building, which would be built next to the existing school.

Technically, voters are simply voting on the bond issue.

We urge patrons of the Chamberlain School District to think long and hard about this project before they vote. We also urge that everyone participate in this process, since it could be a milestone event for Chamberlain and Oacoma.

And however one feels about the proposal, just be thankful you live in a region that has people who formulate such forward-thinking ideas and plans.

Tags: our towns, election 2012, opinion, updates, editorials, chamberlain