Postponing bond projects will only raise cost; improvements needed

Editor:

As a Columbia County business owner, I have a large stake in the upcoming Nov. 7 capital improvements bond referendum. Do I want to pay more taxes? Will our investment in these projects provide a return greater than their cost? Two enticing issues that lead me to support this bond referendum are as follows:

One of the many road improvement projects proposed with this bond is the William Few Parkway Extension. The completion of this project will provide alternate routes in and out of the growing Greenbrier area and help to alleviate the current traffic congestion along the Washington Road corridor.

Another appealing portion of the referendum is the proposed recreational park improvements. As a parent and grandparent, I attend numerous games each year at our wonderful recreational facilities and have only recently become aware of the progress at Blanchard Woods Park. As proposed, a 5k cross-country course would be added at this facility to potentially meet NCAA standards, providing the only track of this caliber that I am aware of in the state of Georgia. The proposal also includes additional walking trails, soccer fields, and other expansion for the benefit and enjoyment of our citizens.

The time to address many of our issues and needs is now. The postponement of these projects will increase overall price as the cost of land, materials and labor continue to rise.

Please join me in support of this Nov. 7 bond referendum for the good of the county.

Cooper Cliatt

Martinez