Will Rogers said, "everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects" and City Commissioner Troy Hickman proves the point with his recent comments on stormwater management (Jan. 22, Hays Daily News). Hays has experienced numerous flood events in the last 100 years, and it's inevitable that the next 100 years will bring more.

Mitigating flooding issues is indeed important and necessary. It's at least as necessary and important as the recreational facility that Commissioner Hickman and his fellow commissioners have endorsed and helped facilitate. Yes Commissioner Hickman flooding is an emotional issue, just ask the people in New Orleans. Commissioner Hickman, please try to understand your lifetime is irrelevant with regard to floodplain management. Mitigating flooding has the potential of protecting you as well as future generations. Just think Commissioner Hickman, if past generations had done more, you might be off the hook now. I grant you that there are financial constraints, but I suggest that you refer to the city of Hays 2001 Storm Water Master Plan which, if my memory serves me, you had a hand in accepting. The bottom line, Commissioner Hickman, is a properly structured stormwater utility is a reasonable and fair way to fund a portion of floodplain management.

Kent Laas

502 West 40th