Interesting. A recent letter in The Brookings Register suggested that I was against an overpass and progress. My letter did nothing but provide a different solution to the proposed overpass thoughts. I am trying to be frugal and prudent with how our tax dollars are being spent. Shouldn’t every citizen strive to save taxpayers money?

Let’s look over some fun facts:

• Brookings has three interchanges and four overpasses in a 6 mile stretch on I-29 (from Exit 127 to Exit 133). This is more per capita than Sioux Falls (which has a population of over 174,000 residents). Exit 127 is used daily by passenger vehicles, semi trucks, and commercial vehicles providing a southern route into Brookings. It works perfectly.

• Future development on 22nd Avenue is not possible. Homeowners, retail, medical facilities, and manufacturing businesses currently exist – results: no land is available for development. 32nd Street South however, has numerous opportunities and possibilities for many businesses (more property taxes and sales tax coming into Brookings – great idea!).

• No traffic studies have taken place since the state of South Dakota completed the Highway 14 (aka Sixth Street) and 22nd Avenue intersection. Previous traffic studies are completely outdated and futile because of the fantastic improvements recently made. We have no current information of how great the traffic is now moving at that intersection. So, why base the proposed overpass on obsolete data?  

• An attempt to utilize Brookings tax dollars to pay for a public recreation center was voted on and overwhelming defeated by nearly 85 percent. I believe the proposed recreation center is a great idea, but who is going to pay for it?

• Eminent Domain is OK for the “greater good”? I wonder how the author of that letter would feel if his home and property fell into the proposed “eminent domain” area?

Since this proposed overpass continues to be a topic of discussion, why don’t we have the taxpaying residents of Brookings decide if and how $20 million should be spent? Let’s put the proposal to a public vote. As taxpayers – each and every one of us – should have a right to decide where our tax dollars are being utilized. Let the taxpayers vote!