At the Sept. 13 Auburn City Council meeting, councilors voted 6-1 to give the City Manager the green light to proceed with development of a hockey arena for Auburn. We oppose this project, as it will surely cause an increase in taxes.

While hockey is a worthwhile sport, it involves a small number of Auburn students. There are numerous other sports and extra-curricular activities that serve a greater number of students and need financial support. We believe the city should not be asking the taxpayers to make a large financial commitment to a single activity.

That is especially true when Auburn is in need of a new or renovated high school. The children of Auburn would be better served by a collaborative effort of the School Board and City Council in developing a plan to solve that problem. That is the city’s primary need.

Economic development will happen in a community only where the school system has a good rating.

The Auburn City Council should not rush into a decision without a clear understanding of the costs to the Auburn taxpayer and a detailed plan to proceed. We believe the project will affect Auburn’s tax rate in the short and long term.

People should come to the Oct. 1 City Council meeting and let their feelings be known. Councilors need to hear that increasing taxes for the hockey arena is not desirable.

Holly and Gary Bricker, Auburn

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