Dear Editor,

I would like for someone to tell me what happened to the Newberry Plaza that we were supposed to be getting that included a bowling alley, a sports bar and six movie theaters. When I attended the meeting, of which was attended by about 300 people, I spoke with the head person that bought the plaza. I asked him about when he expected to get started building. He specifically told me that they would get started in no less than 30 days from the day from which they held the meeting over town. Well 30 days has been long gone, and still we have seen no progress. It makes me believe that our city council officials do not want anything like that here for the young people.

That is why the younger generation has to go elsewhere to seek entertainments, such as Columbia, or to the surrounding areas because there is nothing her for them to do. It seems to me that our appointed officials care nothing about our younger people All they care about is the Opera House and all of the antiques downtown. Of which is fine, don’t get me wrong, but neglecting our youth is completely shameful.

I mean if they were not serious about us getting a bowling alley, or a movie theater, then why did they call the community meeting at the Opera House and waste our time. Was it just to tell us that we were on the verge of something great, only to jerk the rug right out from under our feet? Or was it just a lame publicity stunt by our so called city officials in order to guarantee themselves another vote?

In my opinion, if it comes to pass that we do not get what we were promised, then I believe the citizens of Newberry need to take action and vote these people out of office.

In closing I will say this, and this is just some food for thought, the people who bought the plaza really want to locate here, but do the city officials really want it here?

Yours truly,

Sidney Metts

Newberry