Spark It Up!!!: Wise County and the High Knob Tower - Now they want more of my money...

First we have a local dumbass burn the tower down. He got his just rewards last week. I applaud the citizens raising money to rebuild the tower. I hate the fact my Board of Supervisors gave them $15,000 in tax dollars for the effort. Now guess what....They want more money!

WISE — Just days after two local men were convicted of burning down the beloved High Knob Observation Tower, county supervisors were asked to double their contribution to the tower rebuilding effort.
Rita McReynolds, a representative of the High Knob Enhancement Corp., told county supervisors that, since her last visit about a year ago, the group has raised about $108,000 toward its $500,000 goal — $15,000 of it from Wise County.
As supervisors set to work on the county’s 2009-10 budget, McReynolds is asking them to consider giving another $15,000 to help rebuild the landmark. Considering the county’s interest in expanding the local tourism industry, a dollar to the tower is a dollar well spent, McReynolds said.
“This could be a catalyst for tourism and marketing ideas, but first we have to rebuild the tower,” McReynolds told supervisors. More federal funds might be freed up to improve the area around the tower if the group is successful in making the replacement facility a reality, she said. (Link to the Coalfield Progress - Subscription required- It's my great newspaper and you cant read it)

They want another $15k and they are throwing "tourism" into the mix. What a crock. "Hey John, where yall going on vacation? john says "Man we are going to Norton and see the High Knob Tower...The wife and kids cant wait!"...Maybe after that they can vacation over in Dickenson County and see the Ralph Stanley Museum.

I say rebuild the tower if you can raise the money, but leave the tax dollars out of the mix. I will say it again - No one came to see the tower. They came to see the view. Guess what? That view is still there. Always has been and always will be. All that is needed is a road and parking lot. No building or statues, no restrooms and no pop machines. The cost of the road and lot are already covered by the donations. That parking lot would be a great place to watch a sunset and steal a kiss or pinch some wool. Building a half million dollar building on this land is not needed...The view is still there..I promise it is. The fact that it is free is the bonus. Use the tax money elsewhere please.