Sure, a new far north Fort Worth park would be fine. Why are we paying so much for it? | Opinion
Run the numbers on land price
The city is going to construct a new park in far north Fort Worth. (Dec. 13, 4A, “City approves $13.6M for 300-acre park in far north Fort Worth”) This is a good thing, but is the expense reasonable or justified?
At $13.6 million for nearly 300 acres, that is more than $45,000 per acre. The appraisal district valued the land at $3.8 million, or about $12,666 per acre.
Property appraisals are not exact, but did the city hire someone to estimate the value it wanted? If this is the actual value, then the appraisal district has been incompetent in establishing the value for taxes at $3.8 million.
It appears the city has vastly overpaid with taxpayers’ dollars or appraisers undervalued the property. The taxpayer appears to be the victim in either case.
- John Nolan, Arlington
Cross the Trinity safely on foot
Let’s build a walking bridge across the Trinity River from The Lodge apartments to the Waterside shopping center, where there’s good music and restaurants. There’s only one way to safely get across this river, but it’s an annoying, exhausting two-mile walk. Crossing the rocks underneath the Bryant Irvin Road bridge is not the safest, nor is it the best idea after taking shots on your birthday.
A bridge to walk across directly would benefit the entire community. There are no boats to worry about, and people could fish off the bridge. Even children could cross safely.
- Ashley Barg, Fort Worth
Billionaires aren’t our saviors
Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness mean the simplest of things.
Every American deserves them. A living wage and services funded by our collective tax dollars can and should be a reality, brought to us by good government, not by so-called “compassionate corporations.” We’ve been trying that for the past 40 years. How is that working for you?
Don’t believe the spin coming from the billionaires, the almost-billionaires and the pretending-to-be billionaires taking over our government in Washington, D.C. Their way will not improve your life. The lot of the American middle class will be great again only when the rich pay more in taxes.
- Beth Llewellyn McLaughlin, Fort Worth
A painful lesson ahead for US?
Trumpism entered a damaged body politic. Fed by disgruntled Americans, this dangerous strain attacked not only our vulnerable institutions but also our basic values.
President Joe Biden attempted a cure. He honored the military, supported science, created jobs and shored up the middle class, but his efforts can be compared to putting warm compresses on a festering boil.
Sometimes, lancing is necessary. Trump’s second term will finally allow us to expose the inhumane damage caused by his policies. As more people suffer, America might finally treat this potentially fatal wound.
Like applying antibiotics, America must destroy the misogyny, racism and xenophobia that continue to threaten our lofty ideals.
- Barbara Chiarello, Austin
What students need to learn
In addition to what the Star-Telegram Editorial Board has said about turning around our schools (Dec. 1, 4C, “FWISD grade so far: incomplete. What’s next to fix school crisis?”), here are steps to take:
Parents need to educate their kids at home, encourage them to learn at home and do homework daily, completing it before being allowed to play.
Teachers should encourage students to study hard, play less and compete academically.
We should promote the slogan, “Study hard to build a bright future.”
I am pessimistic about our ability to change, because it appears we have to change America’s culture about education.
- David Smith Nguyen, Fort Worth