Village employees need workout room?

This afternoon I went to the open house at the Village of Wheeling's new Public Works Building. I appreciate everything Public Works staff does to keep the Village running smoothly. I believe the staff are hard workers and do an excellent job. These employees deserve the thanks of all Wheeling residents.

That being said, I left the open house in shock. I thought employees are paid to WORK, not WORK OUT, yet in the new building there is a fitness room equipped with a flat panel TV and soon to have exercise equipment.

I questioned some employees, and they told me some of the equipment will be donated, it is used equipment. They didn't tell me who was donating equipment.

Does the word "some" mean there will also be new equipment? Hopefully not paid for with my tax dollars. Years ago, Wheeling did not accept any gifts, ever. This was a good policy, it prevented even the appearance of any improprieties. Why don't we continue to have this policy? Was the flat panel TV also a gift?

Two doors down from the fitness room is the laundry room. The washer and dryer from the current Public Works building will be moved to the new building. I can't figure out why we need a laundry room in the Public Works building, but then, I can't figure out why we need a fitness room either.

The Village spent $4,500 for a design firm to pick out colors inside the building. The building is beige. What a waste!

As I was leaving, two employees were going to see the Public Works Director's office. One referred to it as the Taj Mahal. They were right, the office is extravagant, larger than some CEO offices I have seen in the private sector.

Personally, I plan to head over to the new building in my workout clothes. I might even bring a load of laundry with me to do while I work out. After all, why should I pay for a gym membership when it doesn't appear that Village employees need to?

Any other residents care to join me?

Mary Papantos

Wheeling