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Proud to have a public golf course in Fergus
Published Thursday, May 8, 2008
There are several things that attract new residents and visitors to a community. Things like healthcare facilities, schools, retail stores and restaurants, parks and other attractions.
As a Fergus Falls resident, I am especially proud to have such a beautiful and well-run public golf course as Pebble Lake Golf Course. On any given day, you can stop and talk with the golfers there and discover that many are not from Fergus Falls but from surrounding cities and states and even other countries. Undoubtedly, those folks also spend money in our community.
Pebble Lake Golf Course is also used as a forum for several charitable organizations to raise money for their cause. On any summer day, one may also be surprised to observe countless numbers of kids hitting balls on the driving range or walking the 18-hole course. This healthy summer activity is made possible in large part because Pebble Lake Golf Course encourages our youth to play and has consistently worked hard to keep junior membership fees affordable. Where else can kids get five months of an unlimited physical activity for considerably less than the cost of a Playstation? When compared with other sports or camps, it is a great value for your dollar.
And lastly, golf is a sport that bonds generations like no other. I am continually amazed by the new friendships my boys form with men and women old enough to be their grandparents.
Pebble Lake Golf Course is a wonderfully vibrant place and an asset to Fergus Falls. I applaud our city leaders for recognizing its importance.
Kristi Lausch
Fergus Falls
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by doctipster (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Im okay with a golf course. But I don't want to pay for something I don't use. Let the people who use the course pay for it. I don't expect people to buy my gas, they don't use my car. otherwise I'll start setting the can outside my door and everyone in the city can start kicking in for my gas too....
Think about it. The only people b**ching are the ones who use the golf course Let them pay for it.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 12:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't have kids in school, so I don't want to pay for any schools. And I don't use the Public Library, so I don't want any of my City taxes being used for that either. I don't live on the north side of town, so why should I have to pay for the stupid new water tower. Let the people who use these things pay for them. What a concept!!
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 3:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Here is the difference bucksteel, the country club golf course is a luxury, .Water, schools, and a public library are necessities .
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 3:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve - necessities? I have my own well - why should I pay for your City Water? I home-school my kids - why should I pay to educate yours? I get what I need to know on the Internet - why do we need a public library? My point to doc (and you) is this - our local City/County/School government picks and chooses what things we (taxpayers) are going to pay for. We, as individuals don't choose. If we don't like it, we can run for office and change it, or vote in someone that will change it. Merely saying you don't want to pay for something because "you" don't use it doesn't cut it, necessity or not.
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 5:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Bucksteel, I bet you felt foolish making that argument, because I know you know better. A clean public water supply, public schools and yes a public library are necessities for most people. A country club for elites is not. You are right about one thing, city government chose this handout for Fergus falls elites, the people of Fergus falls never would. But that is nothing new in Fergus it’s just a matter of time until the city bailes out the lakeshore property owners on pebble lake. Meanwhile the street in front of my house is in a state of disrepair. My phone calls about it are not even returned which I suspect would be much different if I was a member of the country club.
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 9:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve - I'd encourage you to visit Pebble Lake Golf Club sometime. First, it is a City-owned course, open to the public - it is not a "Country Club". I am not a golfer (even though I own a set of clubs), but I personally know quite a few of the members out there, and I doubt that I would call them "elite". Most are hard-working people like you and me. Finally, one could argue that a decent golf course is necessary to attract and retain businesses and the jobs they create. I think the City is wise to maintain and protect their investment.
Posted by chipmunk (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 11:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This giveaway to the country club set has been “The” topic of conversation at local coffee stops and work sites ever since it happened. It should come as no surprise to everyone that most taxpayers are enraged over what they perceive as just another example of the movers and shakers of Fergus Falls getting exactly what they want with hardly a whimper of decent from city hall, while the average citizen can not get his street fixed or mosquitoes controlled for lack of funds or influence at city hall. How many years have citizens asked for mosquito control only to be met with excuse after excuse from city hall, yet the city council can not hand over the taxpayers money fast enough when this subsidy was demanded. Try to think of any other issue or problem that was dealt with affirmatively with such speed and efficiency. Is it any wonder that hourly wage earners consider this handout nothing but welfare for the elites, or that the Fergus Falls city council sits only to serve the interests of certain groups over the best interest of all the citizens and taxpayers of Fergus Falls.
Posted by steve1955 (anonymous) on May 9, 2008 at 11:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They charge a membership fee, thats a country club!!!!
Posted by bucksteel (anonymous) on May 10, 2008 at 5:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Pebble Lake Golf Course is not a "Country Club", which is commonly defined as "A social and recreational facility that is usually private or semi-private. A golf course that was part of a private country club would only be open to members or guests who are accompanied by members." PLGC is open to the public. It is owned by the City. It makes perfect sense for the City to protect that investment. And the comments about the "elite" that golf there just make me laugh. Some of them may think they are hot stuff, but that is why they call it the "Baloney League". Area high school kids play there as well - I suppose they are "elite" as well.
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