A fistful of dollars

While no municipality wants to rush into a decision on how to spend an unexpected multi-million-dollar windfall, Bainbridge's dilly-dallying over spending the $6 million in remaining Frohring funds is wasteful procrastination. Finally, on Monday, trustees approved a plan to begin spending the money. It's about time.

Discussions on this money began when the original $15 million was received 10 years ago, yet about $6.5 million still remains. Former trustees have spent about $250,000 on various projects, including landscaping at the Route 422 ramps at Chillicothe Road, but the rest of the money is sitting in the bank.

The Geauga County Budget Commission has said the township can't continue to allow its windfall to gather dust. Municipal budgets aren't savings accounts, it said; if the township won't spend the money, it must lower taxes and begin returning some of the money to the people.

We applaud the commission. It's the public's money. Why should residents continue to pay taxes when the township has million in the bank gathering dust? Sure, it earns interest, but that's not why municipalities take in tax dollars.

The township has needs. The township has money. It must find a way to braid the two together to benefit residents. Otherwise, all kinds of groups will try to claim some of that cash as did the Kenston Stadium Committee earlier this year.

Among worthwhile projects, the township will raze the decaying Early Learning Center. Trustee Matt Lynch has proposed an attractive park on the site dedicated to veterans. It's an idea worth exploring. The idea would provide a central township gathering spot closest to its center and close to the fire station, police station and town hall. It might even provide a venue for outdoor concerts.

Then there's the old Centerviille Mills Camp, which has never realized its potential since the township purchased it from the Greater Cleveland YMCA in order to keep the land at Chillicothe and Crackel roads out of developers' hands....