I was surprised to learn that people actually read these letters. It shouldn't be surprising because I read them, too. The letter debate about the merits of town spending is a good thing.

Unlike our federal government, the Town of Madison doesn't have a printing press to fabricate its funding.

So letters about the Griswold Airport purchase are a good thing. The purchase price is a lot of money. But letters that have red herrings, straw men, or absurd half truths betray a lack of confidence in facts by those who write them. When a simple decision whether to purchase a piece of property is described as a field of schemes, fear-mongering is afoot.

When Madison voters emerge from the holiday frenzy to consider the Jan. 26 town-wide vote, I hope those reading this note will consider these basic, stubborn facts:

The alternative to creating a park is some form of development. What has been permitted is more than 120 dense-packed condominium units on a fragile site or virtually as-of-right are approximately 30 large-scale homes. The straw man of another option is simply not present.

All costs now and in the future will be fully presented at a public info session on Jan. 19-rather than taking "what if" half truths in competing letters at face value, I hope readers will come listen to what's offered and ask questions.

The delayed time of the January vote allows more time to consider the purchase. How can that be seen as a bad thing? Red herring letters would have decried a rush to judgment if the voting date was not extended.

No doubt this letter will be surrounded by others supporting and opposing the purchase of the Griswold Airport, but readers should base their own conclusions on facts, not fabrications.

Duo Dickinson

Madison