Complainers trying to halt new opportunity

Opportunities come and opportunities go. For years it seemed that more of the opportunities that came to Yuma turned right around and left because something or someone in the mix of it all made it an impossibility for these opportunities to even put a shovel in the ground.

Yet the people complained that there was nothing to do in Yuma. They complained they had to go out of town to get what they needed.

Then came the Yuma Palms mall. Alas, our problems were solved. We had a choice to shop locally or ... go out of town. Perfect. Yet the people complained. "It's not an indoor mall." "It's too far to walk between stores." "El Centro mall has air conditioning." And the city took the heat for essentially encouraging new business in this growth opportunity. By the amount of traffic at Yuma Palms, it does not appear that people are staying away.

And now the opportunity for a new arena/convention center comes to town (again) and the complainers are back. They don't want to pay for it. They don't think the timing is right. In essence they don't want to do anything but complain.

It's the same tired arguments that we always hear. And it's led by the same tired complainer saying "Complainers of the World Unite." Hobby-less petitioners get in line. Take up painting, fishing ... buy a metal detector. Your voice is heard over and over again.

Is the new arena a good idea or a bad idea? Only history will tell. Bet if we asked the mayor of Glendale, Ariz., this past weekend if it was a good idea to build the new football stadium, you won't find him complaining. Let the digging begin!

MARK FLINT, Yuma