I have been a citizen of Dowagiac for more than 50 years.

I have always been proud to call this city home, and have seen our community experience many changes throughout the years. These changes, in my opinion, have been both good and bad.

I’ve enjoyed the benefits of some, and been concerned by others. In recent years, my concern has grown.

Our small town has been overtaken by privatized services that do no share the same pride and ownership once seen by our city employees. Our small town has also been overtaken by a city manager who will do whatever it takes to get his way.

The cemetery was once well maintained and beautiful all summer. Now, my husband must trim around our family’s plots between the times it is mowed.

Rotary Park was once a flourishing ball field and park grounds. Now, coaches and players must paint and care for the dugouts, and the park is an embarrassment. The number of parks in the city has grown, but their upkeep has rapidly declined.

The streets around the high school, especially by the softball field, are in terrible condition. There are many parents and fans, from many communities, who must use these streets, yet they remain untouched.

The curbing on many streets should be replaced. Furthermore, there are dead trees along many tree lawns that need to be replaced.

The city borrowed money for a new streetscape, yet the median on Main Street is, at times, as overgrown as the cemetery. Our parks department took great pride in landscaping our parks, streetscapes and cemetery, yet they were replaced by private contractors whose only priority is profit.

There are many areas of the city that have suffered due to privatization and lack of action by city council. Privatization is a pattern for this administration and preferential treatment seems to be the driving force behind the council’s votes.

It began with the ambulance service, then the parks department and now the wastewater treatment plant.

I don’t know about you, but I do not want our water to follow in the footsteps of our cemetery.

Where will it end?

 

AMY BRISTOL

Dowagiac