Readers' Voices for July 28
Forget the lake, build a park
How many engineers does it take to build a dam? Well, if it is Hope Mills, nobody knows because they haven't been able to build one, at least not one that lasts more than a few months.
So far, Hope Mills has spent millions of dollars, and we still don't have a lake. There have been no assurances as to when it will be built, how much it will cost, who will pay for it or anything. At this point, there is some doubt as to whether there will ever be a lake again in Hope Mills.
Perhaps Hope Mills should see the handwriting on the wall, or the dam in this case, and forget the dam and build a park. For the money that was spent on the dam, Hope Mills could have had one of the best parks in the U. S. True, the lake was part of Hope Mills, and it was pretty. However, it wasn't actually used very often. Can you think of the last time you did something at the lake? An outstanding park could have extensive use by the citizens of Hope Mills. There could be picnic areas for families and groups. The creek is still there for a water feature.
There could be a nice play area for kids. There could be an amphitheater for bands and other performances. It would be a nice location for the Fourth of July celebration. The possibilities are endless. It could even be done in phases to hold down the costs in a given year
So how about it Hope Mills, can we have at least a discussion as to the possibility of a great park instead of a lake that may be years away and more millions of dollars that we don't have? Just think about how nice a beautiful park could be.
James Smith, former resident of Hope Mills
Collins refreshing for Hope Mills
With all this hot weather, instead of turning to what seems to be an intoxicating, watered-down drink, "The Tonzie Collins," wouldn't you rather have a tall, cold, refreshing glass of ...
Good Ol' Home Town Lemonade?
25 ounces of water (Symbolizes 25 years served on the police force protecting families of the town. Although a few select people in the town have chosen to water this down)
12-15 lemons (Symbolizes select unnamed individuals trying to put a sour spin on Tonzie Collin's services)
2 cups of sugar (Symbolizes the "love" Mr. Collins has for his town and its people)
Ice cubes (Symbolizes the way his family has suffered through it all)
By the way, no matter how many lemons you care to squeeze in this, know that the sugar (his love) will overpower the sourness and bitterness.
The people and families of Hope Mills know the truth. So ye without sin, keep casting stones. As for the others, I hope you can enjoy a tall, cold, refreshing glass of Home Town Lemonade!
Thank you, Tonzie Collins.
Baxter Ann Johnson, Sanford