(Letter to the Editor - Photo Illustration - MetroCreativeConnection)

“Be prepared,” is the motto for Scouting America.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for the multi-million dollar Wood County Resiliency Center remotely located on the floodplain of Third Street.

After checking their website touting its, “multi-purpose use, as a hub for various emergencies, including natural disasters, public health crises and mass casualty situations,” I was given a tour of the impressive facility with its massive ball room, commercial size kitchen and two drive-thru truck size garages!

But it was what I did not see that appalled me!

Missing were a medevac helipad, sterile triage rooms and a staff trained as EMTs or in emergency management.

Most surprising was the bizarre notion to generate income at the Center by competing with established small local enterprises and the abundance of area event centers like the lovely Parkersburg Art Center on Market Street, local golf clubs and houses of worship.

Using public funds to throw a party seems to be the primary function of this “emergency shelter,” especially when considering the backgrounds of its directors and recent county commissioners meeting highlighted by gloating over the number of events scheduled at three grand a pop!

If serious about income, why no lottery gaming machines and a fast food outlet?

The health, livelihoods and safety of Wood County citizens should be our elected representatives’ first priority!

Stanley Cole

Parkersburg