I have heard many local city officials say that the Canal is the States problem and we cant do nothing about it! Did I hear that right? We all pay local, state and federal taxes along with many other usage taxes, boating, water usage, gas tax and many other fees and licenses on top of the taxes we already pay. I argue this is whats wrong with our country as a whole. Not taking responsibility for our own backyards and how they look. And the hennepin is literally in Rock Falls back yard. The States problem has become our problem here in Rock Falls and the neighboring cities and communities. Sterling & Rock Falls spent money, effort and time in employees salary to get the Sinnissippi Dam Walkway built. Why? Because of the connection to the Hennepin. The value of Nims Park, Centennial Park and Crystal Lake Rv Park were great ideas because of their locations next to the Hennepin Canal Feeder Trail. Arduini boat launch area park also was built knowing that the Hennepin Canal enhanced all of these efforts and was either the main reason or one of the reasons for building these parks. So why have we all neglected the very source that connects and enhances all of them? Take out the Hennepin Canal and how does all of these places look, would they have been built if it were not for the Mighty Beautiful Historic Hennepin Canal Feeder, and the beautiful buildings that line her banks. Why are we looking away and doing other projects that only seek to duplicate what the Hennepin already has in place and so much more? The River Fronts which will cost all of us millions of dollars that we do not have and will take years. With the dams in the way no boat traffic will ever get to pass by the River Fronts and into businesses like Dixon. The only way that we can get the boat traffic is to open the Guard Lock gate! To much duplication and to much money being spent in the wrong places.
No comments:
Post a Comment