Letter to the Editor: Proposed bus garage location is a joke

Posted: Thu, Dec 27, 2018 3:53 PM

(The following Letter to the Editor has been submitted by Lyle Halverson of Ridgeway):

"A Decorah School District Bus Garage Committee was formed about a year and a half ago. I volunteered to serve on it because I am a bus driver. I thought that my views and efforts would be considered and respected, but I was so wrong.

As you have read, (http://www.decorahnews.com/news-stories/2018/12/21136.html) this committee has selected a 4-acre site from Decorah Jobs next to the Humane Society, instead of the Fox and Coon Club properties owned by the City of Decorah.

Let's look at both sites.

First, the site next to the Humane Society. The location is poor at best. Several people who work in the area have told me that the traffic is very fast and it is difficult at times both to get on the highway and get off the highway. Second, it's a sloping topography with a 3 percent grade which drains into a sink hole. Third, it's a totally unimproved site--it has to be completely leveled and a base of rock has to be hauled in. Finally, the site is 4 miles out of town to the east and away from the majority of the school district. This will add many more miles to several of the bus routes and will cost thousands of dollars a year in extra fuel costs to the taxpayers.

To put it into perspective, it's like someone set up a cement plant at the airport for a job in Burr Oak. Remember--we are taking on the entire North Winneshiek School District, which lays to the north and the west--not to the east.

Next, let's look at the Fox and Coon Club properties. First, the location is much more favorable, since it is located next to a controlled intersection. Second, it has an existing building with heat and restrooms. Third, it has an existing parking lot which is large enough to accomodate the buses. Fourth, it is a level lot, with just enough slope to drain runoffs. Finally, it's 4 miles closer to the majority of the school district's students.

Now let's gets to the price. The Fox and Coon Club site was estimated to have a higher price than the Decorah Jobs site. However, the city-owned property is improved and closer to the school district, so fuel costs would be less and in the long run, it would be much more cost-effective.

So why did the Bus Garage Committee choose the Decorah Jobs site? The Superintendent of Schools never made an offer or a proposal of any kind to the City of Decorah to purchase the Fox and Coon Club properties. That's right--I'm sure the site east of Decorah was chosen long before any committee was formed."