TO THE EDITOR:

Let me start by saying I am in full support of the hockey and any childrenís activity program in North Branch.

But when I see an article in the paper stating the city council is supporting this 2.5 million $ facility and yet on the same page of the paper another article stating the North Branch High School is filling up. I think the cityís priorities are pretty unfocused on the future. Ya build the 2.5 million $ facility for hockey and other sports and bring in more people to the North Branch community and when our children are taking classes in the local churches and libraries because the schools are to full someone will look back and say ìwhere did we go wrong.î

Here is my idea. I agree with the hockey association, we need something fun and activity focused for the children of North Branch. But we also need to focus on the educational system of the city. Letís take this 2.5 million $ís and add it on to the existing high school. Add a rink on to the high school and at the same time add more class rooms to plan for the future expansion of the area. We all know this area is going be doubling in the next 10 years, so lets prepare for it now, so we donít look back and say where did we go wrong. Athletics are great, but they will only get you so far in life, education will take you through your entire life. Trust me I have been there.

Kirk Koblitz
North Branch