When I was a kid my father taught me to play chess. For those, non-chess players, the object of the game is to trap your opponents King. In my teens when I reached the point that I could occasionally beat my dad, it happened! The ol’ dog figured out a new trick. About mid game he would expose his Queen to a trap or even give her away. She is the most powerful piece on the board. If you lose her outright, you are cooked. When he would do this our eyes would light up like the sun and our heart would skip a beat and we would pounce. Game Over! He would feign disappointment and then in about 3 moves beat us. We were going bonkers chasing his Queen while he set the stage to defeat us. It took us a while to overcome our greed and appreciate the concept of distraction.
The opponents to Maple Street have set up a lot of distractions. Let’s lay out some real facts. The Bridge over the draw will not cost $5,000,000 as stated by some opponents. The road with the bridge was bid in at $782,541. A new water line was put in at $50,000 which is completed. There will be no new taxes for this project. The City has the money to make this investment for our citizens. The street will not be widened west of the draw, another rumor. The Friends church will not lose its parking, another distraction. This is not going to be designated a commercial through street for heavy truck traffic. This is another unfounded rumor. . We are not going to run the lndy 500 down Maple Street. There will be traffic controls. The rumor that certain individuals own this land and are going to “get rich” from its sale is a ruthless lie. Check the courthouse records.
The Maple Street Extension will help all the citizens of Pratt. Look around! Pratt is alive and growing. The building activity has been unbelievable. Two Hotels, Dentist office, Optometry office, College dorm, Stanion’s Renovation, a New High School, and the list goes on. The extension of Maple Street will open up a whole new area of town for economic activity. We must build our infra-structure if we are to attract business. This is an investment in our future. There will be room in this area for in excess of 50 homes plus some commercial development. That growth expands our tax base. That is the only way we can stabilize our taxes. We must invest to get a return. The farmer has to buy and plant seed to expect a crop. The fisherman has to invest in lures or worms to catch fish. Economic development is no different. We must invest in our future to expect a future. Pratt did not just happen. It happened because intelligent, engaged, progressive individuals had the courage to step up to the plate and say yes to our city. Be one of those! A “YES” vote on May 25 for the Maple Street Extension is critical to our continued growth. Please get out and vote.
Willy Peltier
