The Gadfly is a series of letters offering commentary on local issues and published in the Warrensburg Gazette.

Dear Editor

I see that the Park Board reports trouble with Warrensburg's Taj Mahal (aka the Community Center) - operating costs will exceed revenues by $80,000. If a small business is overly optimistic in its projections and loses money, it goes under. Government-run enterprises just ask the taxpayers to cover their mistakes. If I remember correctly, Warrensburg voters approved the sales tax, paid by residents and non-residents, to build the monument; they turned down the property tax to run it. The original Taj Mahal in Agra is the tomb of a queen; Warrensburg's is quickly developing into a tomb for taxpayers' money!

A local business owner passed along a recruiting letter from the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce - it seems they're running a sale on memberships. The letter welcomed the business to the community; the business has only been there for 29 years! Someone didn't turn on the word processor's grammar check - Aunt Ida says she learned commas and agreement in number in 8th grade. She had to get out the big magnifying glass since the type was 10-pitch. To top things off, the letter was sent bulk mail. The bottom of the letter calls Warrensburg "a world class community" - do I detect irony?

CMSU is raising tuition again. A standard 12-hour load will cost $1260 plus books just to go to class. It's getting so a poor student won't be able to afford Friday night on West Pine Street (or is that intended?).

The local daily paper's article on WHS graduation didn't mention the barrage of bouncing balls reported in a June 8th letter. Another source told me that some graduates were barefoot and that some crowded in front of the dignitaries during the recessional. Not to worry, though - the blank-check tax increase approved back in April surely will provide the school board and administration the resources to instill respect for such occasions.