Concrete Does Not Always A Park Make

A few problems with the concreting in of Tower Park which was done several years ago, under the previous administration.

First, of course, the cost. Pretty pricey. The whole concept took over $780,000.00 of Village money. The concrete costs were roughly around $300,000.00.

Second, it makes it awfully hot in the summer. Mr. Carter apparently wasn't aware of it, but trees produce shade; and shade produces lower temperatures in it. The lies about the trees being dead, and all that rot, is just that... lies. Many of those trees that dropped huge limbs during the ice storm of around 2001 or so, were Chinese Elms. They're like weeds. We have one in our front yard, and it has dropped huge limbs through the years during terrible storms. The tree always comes back without any difficulty. Here's a clue... dropping limbs does not cause trees to die. In Mr. Carter's world... maybe. But, for the rest of us in reality, it doesn't happen that way. Besides, let's pretend that the fairy tale of the "trees being dead," as written by the Peoples Party hierarchy was true. Would that have stopped them from planting NEW trees? No, wait... I forgot. When large limbs fall from trees after a horrific ice storm, the soil becomes contaminated too, right?

Third, it's Illinois. Concrete cracks. Quite easily. It costs money to maintain, as opposed to the relatively low costs of maintaining grass. For example, with the concrete being of the stamped variety, its surface is very smooth, and very difficult to get sealant to be absorbed into it. Several years ago, the concrete at Tower Park had been sealed, and with just a bit of icy glaze on it, it was virtually not walkable. I slipped a few times, almost fell, and I can just imagine what it was like for those with a cane or a walker. Dangerous.

Now, because we have to salt the entrance area going into the rear of Village Hall, the cracks have turned into rubble, and a long stretch will have to be repaired or replaced. The cost will exceed $6,000.00. That's a lot of mowings.

I apologize once more for beating the dead horse around and around the Village, but it continues to serve as an example of the "loosey-goosey" spending habits of Mr. Carter back in the day.

But, of course, that's different.