OCR Text |
Show i j Election January 9th to decide golf course i A special recreational bond election January 9th ' will decide the fate of the i Milford Golf Course. ; The election will approve or disapprove the issuance of bonds, not to exceed 1 $60,000 for the purpose of ' purchasing the Milford Golf i Association Golf Course, in -i ' eluding all land, water right, improvements, clubhouse ' and maintenance equipment, ' and such other recreational i needs as the city may deem necessary and beneficial to the community. The Milford Golf Course, long a dream of civic minded citizens, was started several years ago by the non-profit corporation, Milford Golf Association. Starting with the purchase of approximately 100 acres of suitable land and a water right of almost 47 acre feet f water, the Association purchased and installed a sprinkling system, seeded five fairways and greens, utilizing membership fees and donations of labor and equipment. The complete plan calls for nine holes, ' a putting green, driving range and clubhouse. Presently a trailer house is being utilized for the clubhouse. Present indebtedness is between $52,000 and $55,000, and the Milford Golf Association Associ-ation has offered to turn all assets over to Milford City for that indebtedness. Private Pri-vate appraisals range from $150,000 to $250,000. Though much progress was made, and the five completed com-pleted holes are playable, and improving each year, the Golf Association found itself unable to complete the nine holes, driving range, putting green and clubhouse without an infusion of money. While grants are avail Me for such recreational projects, and have been assured by state and federal agencies, they are only available to other government bodies, such as Milford City not to nonprofit non-profit corporations. Past applications have been refused, because the property belonged to the Golf Association, andnot Milford (Cont. on Page 2) HERE'S MORE ABOUT ' ELECTIONS City, even though they were applied for through the city. Without the grants, further development became impossible, impos-sible, and interest payments on borrowed money became a burden, the Association can no longer handle. Despite offers from sub-dlviders sub-dlviders to purchase the property at a profit to the Golf Association, the Association As-sociation decided that their prime interest was a golf course for Milford. It was this decision that prompted them to offer the property to Milford City for their present indebtedness, approximately ap-proximately the value of the water right. As owners of the property Milford City would be In a position to apply for grants to complete the golf course, using the present facility for matching funds, and therefore there-fore providing this valuable asset to the community at little or no cost to local citizens. Milford City proposes to purchase the Golf Course, if passed January 9th, with -general obligation bonds. No increase in taxes is anticipated. antici-pated. The bonds would be paid off over a maximum of 20 years. The City's investment .would be protected by the land and water right, both of which are valued in excess ex-cess of the purchase price. No additional Improvements would be planned until approval ap-proval of grant monies, therefore creating no additional ad-ditional tax burden to local taxpayers. The value of a golf course to a community cannot be totally assessed. It ' is a well known fact that a good facility is an asset to every property owner, through increased in-creased valuation of individual individ-ual property. A golf course is one of the first things looked for by industry, looking for a new location for expansion or relocation. re-location. After land, transportation, trans-portation, accessibility of resources, energy supply, most companies look to the esthetic values offered to their employees. These include in-clude good schools and recreation. re-creation. Failure to pass the bond election Tuesday, January 9th could well set the community com-munity back for many years. This attraction is needed not only for those who live here now, but for the future economic eco-nomic development of the community. Industry is necessary to provide jobs for sons and daughters. The golf course . will help to attract that industry. Milford City could have purchased the golf course outright. Instead, they have chosen to take the issue before be-fore the people. You now have the option to exercise your feeling at the polls. Absentee Ab-sentee ballots are available at the city office. Sample ballots are also available at the city office and at the ; COUNTY NEWS. Everybody loves a bargain. bar-gain. It is unlikely that you ever again will have an opportunity op-portunity to purchase such a bargain. Your favorable vote January 9th will assure that Milford City will not lose this valuable asset. |