Our country is currently engulfed in one of the worst droughts in recent memory. In Arizona, reservoir levels have been about two-thirds of their usual average. In seven states, including ours, drought conditions have been so severe that each state, at various times, has had more than half the land area in severe drought.

Given these circumstances, I cannot believe that Fountain Hills is seriously considering this ill-conceived notion of building a public pool/aquatic center. We are desert dwellers -- we need clean, safe drinking water, enough to sustain our families now and in the future.

Would it not make more sense to consider implementing a town-wide water conservation program? Let’s start thinking about ways to save water, not waste it.

I’ve lived in this lovely small town for many years and just don’t understand why people visit our town, fall in love with it, move here...and then want to change it into something “bigger and better.” If swimming is important to a family they buy a house with a pool.

I’m all for helping our small business owners. But not by pretending there isn’t a major water crisis happening in our beloved state. Let’s show the rest of the Valley that we are aware of what is happening with Arizona’s water supply and that we care about doing the right things to help fix the problem.

Building a huge public water facility at this point in time will make us look like the hapless emperor Nero, who “fiddled while Rome burned.” (Probably a myth, but the phrase has come to mean someone who is neglecting their duties by doing something frivolous...like building an aquatic center during a serious drought and spending $20,000 for “consultant fees” to someone who wants to build it.)