No wonder people mistrust government

I just want to comment on the $20 million Batavia Recreation Center initiative that failed miserably.

In the Nov. 3 Daily Herald, Batavia Park District President Patrick Callahan said, referring to why the referendum failed, “I think people have a massive mistrust of government.”

One has to ask why residents should trust the Batavia Park District when they planned to sneak a $20 million bond (debt) through without letting residents know upfront about this new tax burden. The Batavia Park District can say it was an extension of current debt, but that old debt expired, and this initiative was completely new debt being put on the shoulders of our community.

We have a right to know. Anyone knows this type of “sneaky” action does not build trust. In fact, it is accurate to say this type of local government action leads to the mistrust of which Callahan speaks.

Nearly 60 percent of residents voted “no” that is a huge statement. Perhaps the community does not want additional long-term debt during a recessionary period, or they just did not like the concept.

Either way, the Batavia Park District has to be willing to see the truth in what the no vote means and not blame “national shift of (wanting) change.” It is certainly something we can live without for now and give homeowners a chance to rebound from job losses, lower household incomes and higher taxes. The old bonds expired and it is not the Batavia Park District who decides if Batavians should continue to pay ... we voters decide that.

Steve Rakers

Batavia