Build the WOW Trail with your own money, on your own property

To the editor,

The WOW Trail seems to have a great deal of large sponsors, pushing it, but may I suggest that they step back and take a look at the environmental effect this will impose on the abutting property owner's and the fact that they want the vast majority of the funding to come from the state and federal government, who are 200-percent broke. This means that our grandchildren will get saddled with the bill, for a bicycle path? We need roads, bridges and schools and cannot come up with the money.

If you are unfortunate and this paved, fenced path, runs through, or close to your front/back yard then please think of the security problem, noise, waste disposal and safety, to name a few, plus — and it is a large plus — is this the best use for the money that these sponsors can find?

How about the property values of those even near the WOW Trail?

I suggest that you all drive from the center of Meredith Village to the corner of Rte 11 and Rte. 11-B and experience the road conditions. Even Main Street in Meredith is in awful shape! The vast majority of the roads in Laconia are in horrible shape. How about our schools and parks? You might notice that the white lines are not even being repainted on our roads, as there is not money for this safety item! All local, state and federal budgets are strained and being cut and the sponsors think we need a bicycle path.

Further, would any of the sponsors be excited if the WOW Trail was going through their property? Just imagine, a herd of people, from who knows where, invading your back/front yard/neighborhood!

This is an environmental and financial nightmare for the community.

The sponsors mention jobs, which sounds good, except they would be part-time, tourism positions — maybe all bartenders and trash pick up help?

This sounds like a noble idea, but if the sponsors of the WOW Trail want to put up all of the money and build it on their property, by all means continue, otherwise shut this idea down, as it makes no sense for the vast majority of residents..

Fred Taubert

Meredith