To the Editor:

“Donations will pay for permanent restroom at Ricketts” in April 28th Fayette Advertiser stirred years of memories and prompted me to offer thanks, share some thoughts, and respond to editorial opinion published as fact in the article.  My personal bias is significant. Over the past 15 years I have invested considerable time, effort, and resources to the development of Ricketts Lake.

I was fortunate to have helped with the Health Ministries Grant that funded the creation of the Ricketts Lake walking trail and installation of the exercise equipment.  Our community owes  thanks to Michelle Howell, Dan Elliott, and all who made those improvements possible.  While my son was in Boy Scouts we worked on the Ricketts  shelter house, trail bridge, and playground. We owe thanks to Eagle Scouts Aaron Leimkuehler, Paul Byland, Sean Byland, and Boy Scout Troop 62 for those major improvements.  I was able to recycle lumber from the trail bridge to construct the retaining wall of the Butterfly Garden I put in beside the trail.  We owe thanks to the Golden Study Club for helping fund those improvements.  

In writing the successful Recreational Trails Program (RTP)  grant application in its first effort the Howard County Health and Wellness Council ( HCHWC)  succeeded where many other grant applicants failed. Success was achieved by over 18 months work on public education, engagement, and collaboration.  We owe thanks to Elisha Wells-Stroupe and Bekki Galloway for a strong educational and survey campaign, Pat Roll for supportive print media coverage,  and the board and members of HCHWC who applied those efforts to an approved grant application.  

A successful capital campaign was integral to grant approval as well.  By spring of 2017 HCHWC secured over $14,000 in contributions; an additional $5000 was later received and released to the city last summer. We owe considerable thanks to the  Howard Electric Cooperative, Fayette Optimists, First Christian Church Outreach Committee, Addison Lab, Mary Sue and Robert B Jackson Trust,  faculty of the Fayette Medical Clinic, Commercial Trust Company, Inovatia Laboratories, Janet Jacobs, the Walker family, Joe and Kayla Strodtman, JB and Dori Waggoner, and the Remington family for cash donations.  And we owe thanks to Joe Strodtman for  significant pro bono professional engineering consultant work, and Joe and Peggy Guest for Butterfly Garden signage.  

Your readers new to the community or unfamiliar with the history of the RTP grant would be wrong to conclude your opinion expressed as fact ( city forced to abandon project because grant cost estimates were “greatly  underestimated”) was true or based on the facts.  Project budget was reviewed by consulting engineer, grant writers,  and Fayette city council before approval; and state and federal budget folks thereafter. Deemed appropriate for existing cost of materials and labor and with appropriate tolerances.  Budget over-runs of unnecessary four figure MECO engineering consulting, proposed modification in plan, and delay of two and a half years before seeking bids dealt the budget death blow.  HCHWC budget writers did not underestimate cost. We did over estimate the ability of the city manager to implement and focus on the project, the diligence of the city council to see that appropriate progress was being made, and oversight by mayor to see process to completion.  

Remarkably absent in your article was a description of proposed “rest room”: a vault toilet.  No running water; so  essentially a larger porta-potty.  Was this not discussed at city council meeting, and if  it was, why was it not reported?  If my grandson needs a diaper change when we are at Ricketts, I will use the back of my van; I suspect most families will do likewise.  And I suspect many patrons will “hold it and wait” until they are home.  

The city has recently solicited input from citizens: how should the Covid relief money be spent? A real bathroom with running water and flush toilet at Ricketts  is a no-brainer, would symbolize a real commitment by city of striving to meet needs of community and attract new residents, and go a long way to building trust in city government.  My fantasy first flush at Ricketts is on hold….

Thank you,

Tony Cook