Letters to the editor: Pool decision panned
To the editor:
No bids to be taken on the swimming pool project? You’ve got to be joking! A project costing almost $3 million is not going to be let for bid? Surely this is against city policy.
Only one council member voted against this decision.
The people voted the 3/4 percent sales tax to be used for the new pool, but isn’t it logical the council and city administrative staff would shop for the best facility by taking bids — guess logic does not apply to this situation.
Have there been any references given for the company that is getting nearly $3 million from our city? Have we seen pools they designed, talked to any satisfied customers or maybe a dissatisfied customer? Does anyone ever spend a tenth of this amount of money without shopping around for best quality and the best price?
Bohl Company engineered the pool and presented a “proposed project” at what cost for the engineering fees? Do we not already have on payroll city engineers?
Bohl Company designed a possible facility with some of its “patented” extras. Just because it engineered the project and presented its concept of what we wanted does not mean another company could not offer a quality pool and amenities — possibly cheaper. Oh but that isn’t going to happen. We’re not going to do things that way — after all, the city always spends our money wisely. They always have our best interest at heart, or is that just another joke?
Funny, I don’t hear anyone laughing!
Roger Shilling
Tonganoxie