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Keystone "Yes" -- but show me the money!

There are few, if any, who are opposed to the Keystone Center for Music and the Arts. There is little doubt of the cultural and economic advantages that Keystone would bring to Pike County and indeed to the entire region. This may be fact but it's no longer the issue.

The prevailing question at this point in time is whether the Pike County Commissioners should ask the taxpayers to co-sign on a $12 million loan on the project. Another related question is whether our commissioners should handle this question themselves or pass it on to the voters.

Recently Commissioner Harry Forbes said, "Government by referendum on complex issues simply does not work... I do not believe that elected representatives should pass the buck... through the excuse of public referendum."

I couldn't agree more.

In a Democratic system of government the voters elect representatives for exactly this purpose -- to make the tough decisions. If every time a controversial matter landing on our commissioner's desks was passed onto referendum, not only would the matter get bogged down in politics but we would not need commissioners.

The public funding of Keystone is a matter for our leaders to deal with, not the general public. But this still leaves the question: should we, or should we not, guarantee the bond issue?

Commissioner Karl Wagner recently said "I don't think the county should get into the development business with public funds."

Again, I couldn't agree more.

Encouraging economic development is a major part of the commissioner's job description. But putting taxpayer money at risk in order to develop private enterprise, whether it's an arts center or another venture, is quite another matter. However strongly I support the Keystone project, I feel just as strongly that the commissioners should get on with a decision, quickly and decisively. They should vote against guaranteeing the bond issue.

Commissioner Sally Thomson, who is adamant in her decision to send the question to November voters, said, "Private funding for the project has not been enough to even purchase the land."

The state has already earmarked $17.5 million for the project, contingent on project managers raising matching funds. Well, show me the money -- the private money, that is. $17.5 mil in state tax money towards a $35 million project is substantial. At this point, lack of private funding is an issue, but one that seems surmountable given the dedication and good management of folks like Elliot Rosoff, a master violinist and mid-Manhattan resident, and Davis R. Chant, both members of the project's board of directors.

I believe that a "No" vote by the commissioners would not kill the project and I suspect that only then would we see private money surface.

So let's get on with it.

Pat Camuso, News Correspondent