After reading about the proposed swimming pool in Callaway, I regretted not attending the open house. I was surprised at how far down the road the Village Board is on this proposal. The price tag was shocking. The Board estimated the Callaway taxpayer cost at $73 per month on a $100,000 property. Since the median listing for a home in Callaway is $132,500, a more realistic monthly cost might be $100 per month. Assuming that a fairly high percentage of residents have $100 of discretionary spending money per month, the cost doesn’t seem out of reach. But let’s just think about how discretionary money is spent now. Maybe these people eat out at one of our restaurants once in a while, or go to Henry’s for a draft. They might use some of it to help support the VFD, the American Legion, their church or any number of worthwhile causes. Any or all of them could go wanting.

It’s short-sighted to assume that during the 20 year pay-off period other needs will not arise. Think about how residents have stepped up in support of the Community Center, the Senior Center, the Good Life Center and the hospital over the past 20 years. It would be reckless to think our school will not have some unforeseen needs over the next 20 years. Don’t overlook the trend in utility bills either.

We are now officially in a recession. Everyone knows that the prices are going up at a faster rate than ever before. Help is hard to find. Water parks in larger towns than Callaway are closing or reducing open time due to a lack of employees.

In short, I have never in my 78 years seen a more risky time to spend $4.2 million on a swimming pool. It would be nice to have, but pools are always a legal and financial liability and a new one is unrealistic in a town of 600 people. We need to make the best of what we have.

Mack Deveraux, Callaway