[Winona] unreal

[Susan Brown]

 C.E.W. writes: 
 
"$75,000 have done for the dilapidated playgrounds of the east end of 
>Winona? Obviously when the "arts" are concerned, the kids of the poorer 
>neighborhoods in this city are disregarded as irrelevant."
 
As a child I grew up in the east end, went to W-K school and played at those
parks you refer to.  I currently live in the east end (although probably
more centrally located).  I know many people who live anywhere from the
central of Winona all the way past "the hog line,"  the "poorer"
neighborhood of the city, as you state.  It bothers me that you want to
label it that way.  Many people choose to live in the east end because of
the strong neighborhood feeling that you get there, not because they are
poor.  As with probably any neighborhood in the city of Winona, there are
differing income groups.  Please stop referring to the east end of Winona as
being "poorer." You're just promoting an old prejudice.  Many of the
residents support the arts; have supported our public schools with
volunteering and passing referendums; they volunteer in our community and
serve on boards; some fundraise for various organizations; and a great many
also support other fundraisers for people, events, and anything else that
will enhance our community.
 
Believe me, if people in the East End felt that the parks needed to be
updated, they would hold their own fundraisers to do so, they don't need
your money or anybody else's.
 
If people want to support GRSF, they will.  I don't have a problem with the
city of Winona supporting it either ( I pay taxes too.).  Winona will need
to continue to grow in vision and purpose to make this a community that
people will want to live in.  It is already well on it's way, even if some
people don't want change or want to support this community financially. 
Winona is already starting to look like a beautiful community instead of a
former run down lumber, grain milling, city that it used to be.  We see many
more homes and buildings being historically restored.  We have some nice
places to stay (B&Bs, hotels), our own municipal pool (instead of driving
over to Ft. City like many did), Windom Park, Veteran's Park, and coming
soon--the Maritime Museum, and some much needed improvements to the Winona
Sr. High school.  There are so many improvements to this town that I haven't
listed, I'm sure others could add much more to the list too.
 
(Now if the city wanted to put $75,000 to a new track, since the High School
track is the only one in town, I definitely wouldn't argue with that.)
 
So how about it?  What other improvements to this city have you all seen in
your time here?
 
 
Susan Brown
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