To the Editor:

Sometimes you just have to let the reporters responsible for getting information to the tax payers of a municipality know that they are appreciated. Thank you, Judy Dolgos-Kramer.Relative to the July 2nd article, there are two statements coming from of our Supervisors at Penn Forest Township that simply can't go unanswered:First: "We have an obligation to our residents to provide them with recreational facilities regardless of public opinion." I guess I was sleeping during an eighth grade civics class. Maybe it's in the "Bill of Rights," or perhaps in the state constitute, how could I have possibly missed that? Penn Forest Township, a township surrounded by Hickory Run, Glen Onoko, Mauch Chunk Lake, Beltzville Lake, Weissport bicycle run, Bowmanstown bicycle run, Lehigh Valley Nature Center, ski slopes with water parks and let's not forget our communities with their on recreational facilities. What obligation does a township have to provide recreational facilities? None!Second: "We have plenty of money to fund this project." A shortfall of a million dollars, but don't worry, we have plenty of money? Any estimator in the private sector making a million dollar error would find themselves un-employed the day after the discovery. If the township has that kind of only available, maybe they should consider dropping taxes? Public opinion would certainly support that move!The citizens of Penn Forest Township have no one to blame but themselves. we allow this stuff to happen by not paying attention to those who would run for office. We need to be more pro-active in knowing more about the people who seek election. There are services that a township should provide for its citizens, but recreation is certainly not an obligation. If we're seeking obligations, here is one to consider: our local fire company is in need of a new tanker truck. now that would be a worthy expenditure for the township to consider and yes, I think you could consider that an obligation. Fire protection, especially in a wooded township is important to every tax payer. Certainly, it would have cost a whole lot less to buy this needed truck, then what will be spent on the recreation park, and it wouldn't be an expenditure that trust keeps costing the tax payer money in years to come. A recreation park is a cost that never ends!Wake up tax payers, election is just around the corner!T. McLeanJim Thorpe