I would like to express my utter dismay with the Dolores town board and the town staff regarding the unanimous decision to tear down the playground. The neglect to maintain the playground in Joe Rowell Park is unacceptable and inexcusable and shows gross negligence in regard to the town, the citizens and their safety.

It was the town’s job and responsibility to maintain the playground, not only as a requirement of the GoCo grant used to build the structure, but also as a duty to the health and safety of the citizens.

Santiago Lopez stated, with his crocodile tears, that the children’s safety was his only concern when they closed and fenced off the playground. This was an utter untruth. If he or the town cared at all about children’s safety, the playground would have been maintained properly all along. If the maintenance had been done, the structure would not have deteriorated to its current condition. The truth is poor and unskilled management closed this park.

This is a travesty for the town of Dolores, and the board and staff should all be held accountable. This town board, and the rest of the staff, should all be ashamed for letting down the community, and for not doing their jobs. What a disappointment you all are.

The voters of the town can turn this board over this election season. Dolores needs and deserves some leadership and vision. Let’s clean house and take back our town!

Wendy Mimiaga

Dolores