Tonight, at 6:30 PM, there will be a special session of Whitewater’s Common Council to consider whether to select a bid for artificial turf for the Treyton’s Field of Dreams project, and to authorize down payment on the project.

Council’s decision tonight may determine whether the project meets the continuing requirements for a Pepsi Challenge grant.

I believe that the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams project deserves particular municipal support because of its chartiable nature (beyond contrasting, ordinary projects), and that no action the city takes should result in a net loss of financing for the project. Additionally, the city needs a better, more systematic way to consider projects’ environmental impact.

Before beginning, I’ll be very clear: I’ve no special knowledge by which to assess the supposed environmental impact of artificial turf.

Significantly, I believe that whatever decision the council makes, they should assure that their action causes no net loss in funding, or reduction in likelihood of completion, for this charitable project.

Because this is a community-based, privately-backed, charitable project, it deserves more, not less, deference than an ordinary municipal one. There is neither a principal economic nor personal advantage sought in this: it’s a sincere, charitable, good-hearted community effort. We’ve had many projects that were either more expensive or more useful for political advantage; the Field of Dreams has neither of those unfortunate attributes.

There is no selfish striving in this; it’s a hopeful project in the aftermath of a terrible tragedy. We have too little of projects like these. There’s no politics in it, no career advancement in it. It came about not through politics or ideology but through the efforts of a family and the many that they have inspired. Politics will never matter as much.

If Whitewater’s Common Council should now act – however sincerely – to impede this community-backed private effort, then they should assure that there is no loss of net funding nor impediment to the project’s timetable. This project did not originate with government, or a single business, but within the community.

As a community-based, charitable effort, it should not be hindered. It should mean more to this city, not less, than an ordinary government or commercial project.

Finally, and most significantly, Whitewater needs an orderly, routine process for addressing environmental concerns. They should be considered – I would not fault anyone for his or her sincere concerns – but considerations like this should be part of a routine city process, addressed early on. We have had far larger municipal projects in the past (in size and area), and ones yet to come, that have received less consideration.

That’s simply a substandard practice. Other projects (with fanciful economic claims) have been rushed at every turn, with little or no review at all. Now this simpler project is held up at the last minute. It’s below a proper, professional standard to react this way. Municipal review should be orderly, early, and thorough.

I support this project, and would hope that Whitewater’s Common Council tonight assures that whatever action it takes leaves the Treyton Kilar Field of Dreams on track, and on schedule, for funding and successful completion.