Delaware County, unite to save Lake Delhi

I am concerned with the attitude that the revenue, whatever the dollar amount, from the residents and visitors of Lake Delhi will not be missed, and therefore the county should not share responsibility in helping to restore the public lake and dam. My question: Is Delaware County so well off that it is prepared to turn down the money that is generated every year from the public lake? Whether it is, $1 million or $10 million annually, that money will not be there next year if things remain the same.

I realize that commitment from the county to help fund the restoration of the dam and public lake would come as a sacrifice to some residents who do not visit Lake Delhi. To this, I offer an example.

I live in Hiawatha, a close neighbor to Cedar Rapids, which was greatly damaged by the Flood of 2008. To aid in the restoration of businesses and homes in the area, a local option sales tax was voted in. Am I angry or resentful of this additional tax, even though I personally sustained no damage from the flooding? No. This is simply my responsibility as a member of my community to do my part to restore and maintain it so that it will continue to grow and flourish.

All of the Delaware County residents, business owners and voters need to create a united front so the Board of Supervisors will know that this is important to us.

Jessica Larsen

Hiawatha