I want to congratulate our City leaders for sugar coating a pile of manure so much that even I wanted a bite of it.

In regard to the recent article pertaining to building a youth-teen center (“City leaders look into possibility of youth-teen center”, Reporter, Aug. 22): boy, doesn’t it sound terrific? We could build a place for kids to go because they have nowhere to go. We could build meeting and banquet rooms because of the high demand for that and give the parks department brand new offices because there can’t possibly enough empty space in City Hall or the One Building.

And even better, according to Councilman John Holman, there’s not only money for construction, there’s money for maintenance and operations. But we have to act fast, so it won’t be necessary to let the public vote on it.

Let me be very clear. Building such a center as described would really be great for any community. But let’s also be very honest here. Auburn does not have $6 million to build this, and that’s the least it would take. If we do have $6 million to spend, then why aren’t we employing more police officers in this city or fixing a few miles of roads? This is described as a scaled-down version but will still cost almost the same amount.

And as far as maintenance and operations, there is no such thing as grants for that. Mr. Holman is either greatly mistaken or enjoying some of our new legalization laws. The City of Auburn has yet to show one instance of operating business here without losing money. This would end up being another prime example.

The parks department does not need new offices. There is no huge demand for large meeting spaces that exceed what is already available. If the city is really so concerned with the youth of Auburn having a place to go, there are after school programs. We have a YMCA, churches, the mall. And hey, why not take the Auburn Ave Theater and make it a place for kids to go? We’re already losing money on that mostly empty building. Why not use it for the kids?

Someday, I really hope we have money to build things we want. But first, our elected officials need to concentrate on things this city needs. I have seen little evidence of that from this administration.

One last thing to consider. Our mayor promised us five new police officers before her election. We do not have them yet. And even if we did, we still wouldn’t have enough officers on duty to effectively serve our community.

Wouldn’t you think that the City Council we have elected would be concentrating on what we need rather than so much time on what a councilmember or two want? Why in the world should I support what the City wants if the City does not support what its citizens need?

– Mark Silberling