More on county road projects

rom Jim Stalker

Creston

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about some anger I was feeling after reading a newspaper article on the county’s paving projects. Besides obvious public roads that would be resurfaced for the better good of all residents, the project included a section of streets that previously, by a sign posted at the site, was designated as private property. Turns out, not all the facts were reported in the story.

Appearing in a subsequent story, the county’s share of the more than $600,000 cost would be only half. According to Iowa law regarding subdivisions, the property owners and county each pay a-half of the costs. The law further states that the property owners may, at their individual discretion, request that those costs be added to their property taxes over a specific period of time.

Obviously, given the person I seem to have developed into lately, I leaped before I looked, not a good attribute for myself. Certainly, I apologize to those who might have been offended by my original letter. These property owners deserve good roads, too, and if there’s a way to get that accomplished with some extra help legally, I don’t fault them for taking advantage of it. Becoming better informed on my part seems like a goal I should try harder to reach without jumping into a public letter that could anger or hurt others. I do, however, reserve the right to stumble and fall on my face … occasionally.