The January 10th issue of the Journal included an excellent letter of opinion submitted by Mark Fishaut, titled “Moving forward with the Land Bank.” Mark noted the Town to Zylstra Lake Trail fiasco as reason for review of the entire LB operation. The January 24th issue of the Journal included three rebuttals. Jim Skoog wrote “The mysterious Zylstra Lake Trails fiasco has absolutely nothing to do with the Land Bank”. Cynthia Brast wrote “The mysterious Zylstra Lake Trail was NOT a Land Bank project” and “The Land Bank is completely transparent with their purchases and finances.” Amanda Azous wrote “The Conservation Land Bank did not promote or pursue the Zylstra Lake Trail project”
Dr Fishaut’s mysteriously uninformed letter demands a response. Whaaat Dr Fishaut? The Zylstra Lake Trail is the hoped-for baby of our County Manager who, also hopefully, will be soon on his way to other pastures to impact. The Conservation Land Bank did not promote or pursue the Zylstra Lake Trail Project. Please check your facts before proselytizing, especially about issues heartfelt in our small community. As such, your accusations of bulldozing, condescension, and elitism belong squarely with the County Manager and not the Conservation Land Bank Director, who, with Land Bank Commission, knew better than to align with the strategy of this unpopular project. This was County Manager’s baby and was never authorized or pursued by the Land Bank Commission.