We won’t go so far as to label this issue polarizing because it doesn’t appear that the loyalties have become that divided — yet. It certainly seems fair, however, to say that there are two distinct sets of opinions regarding the proposal to restore the old Saline County Library building in Downtown Benton for city offices.
We recognize three basic reasons why this issue is potentially contentious: money, utilities and, as always, politics.
Some people were opposed to this idea from the time it was mentioned because the proposal was offered by the city Public Utility Commission. Anyone who believes many Benton residents have forgotten or forgiven is kidding himself. Residents are still smarting from the increase in electric rates of more than 50 percent. To many in Benton, utility remains a four-letter word.
That’s the first hurdle this idea must clear — public endorsement. If the city cannot sense that residents embrace this proposal, even a little bit, then aldermen are going to hear about it. In fact, it’s not a stretch to imagine that if the dominoes fall just right, this proposal could test the mettle of any aldermen who may find themselves balancing loyalties — the proposal versus their constituents. History tells us that a few Benton aldermen talk a good game about doing what they feel is best for the residents, then turn around and vote for what the aldermen feel is best for themselves and their little interest groups.
Money obviously will play a major role in the fate of this proposal. It seems a bit silly to even say that, actually, but we mention money for more than the obvious reasons. If you have noticed, proponents of the proposal already are using as a talking point the fact that the restoration project is expected to cost less than the estimated cost of constructing a new office building. City officials said they researched the cost of a new building and came up with a price tag of about $3 million. It is likely that the restoration project would cost less than that. The question is, however, how much less?
As tiring as the subject gets in Benton, we can’t overlook the political angle regarding this proposal. No matter how attractive the proposal may prove, regarding cost and other factors, it will not pass the smell test of a few aldermen if it is endorsed by the mayor and other certain city officials. Again, we know this from history: A few aldermen are so resentful of Mayor Rick Holland’s administration that a cost-free proposal lined with gold could meet with resistance.
Officials may not think so, but the city has a campaign on its hands. This is not an altogether bad proposal, but any proposal these days is met with increased scrutiny by taxpayers. Ask the public school districts. Or the people who shot down the plan for a lavish city park across the river. And there are other examples.
In addition to cost, city officials are going to have to convince voters that there are other needs. For example, how badly does the city need more office space? Better yet, why would the Public Utility Commission need office space?
This is not to suggest that the proposal is bad. In some ways, quite the contrary. The old library building, which also was the Palace Theatre, is a unique, historic structure that features character that is in keeping with the character of Downtown Benton. The restoration and use of the building would be another major improvement in the downtown revitalization project.
    But questions must be answered and uses must be justified. Anything less could spell trouble for proponents of the proposal. And in some ways, that could spell trouble for the city in general and Downtown Benton in particular.
    No one is saying, “Don’t do it.” People are simply saying, “Let’s do it right.”
    Sounds so simple, yet that sometimes is a novel concept indeed in Benton.

Today’s editorial was written by Whit Jones, editor of the Courier, on behalf of the newspaper’s editorial board.
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