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Special City Council Meeting February 13, 2001 Page 8 utilized. Dr. Swint pointed out that we need topnotch recreational facilities for the citizens of this area and in these United States to compensate for a general workout. Dr. Swint stated that we have a need for people to be able to get outdoors and the Lake Crook Park area is what was conceived of for outdoors recreation 10 years ago. Dr. Swint asked the rhetorical question, "Where could you replace this property of this quality in this area for outdoor recreation?" He said there are numerous acres that could be sold for any kind of development. Dr. Swint stated that there is approximately 2,000 acres of land around Lake Crook that can be utilized for recreational purposes and stressed the great need for this type facility. Garry Robertson, 555 21St Street N. E., stated that he moved to Paris in 1965, and at that time Lake Crook was the primary recreational facility for this area. He said he lived in Paris until 1977 during which time he saw the Lake Crook Park fall into disrepair, disuse and disrepute. Mr. Robertson said since 1977, he has lived in North Dallas and has seen first hand the effects, both good and bad, of rapid development where the economic development of the area is advanced without due concern for the existing infrastructure and the effects on quality of life. Mr. Robertson stated that he was extremely concerned about mixed use development in this area. He stated that even a substantial residential development, in terms of the effects that it would have on straining the existing infrastructure, added traffic congestion and that sort of things. Mr. Robertson said that people that are in favor of economic development have a point that we do all benefit from that; however, he thinks the City of Paris has an invaluable resource in the relative pristine acreage around Lake Crook, and there are benefits to be had with relatively little expense by doing some minor improvements to the existing facilities and preserving the existing type of usage that the facility was originally layed out for. He suggested, as far as the comments earlier, that the revenue from a residential development would pay for the park facilities, unless the city is structuring their tax rates so they are a for- profit organization. It was his understanding that the tax rates for residential property were there to fund the maintenance of the infrastructure for that residential property, and should not be used for other purposes. Vickie Hime, 308 W. Washington Street, came forward stating that the city should keep Lake Crook recreational. Ms. Hime said she moved to Paris as the gentlemen speaking before her did in order to have a better quality of life. Ms. Hime said she recognized the need for the city to grow and have new development, but she felt the city was not taking care of what we have at this time,