I read the letter to the editor by Judy Tyson, "Civic center proposal," in the July 21 issue and jumped for joy. I thought no one shared my sentiments! Thank you for asking what I think, Judy.

I attended that council workshop meeting on July 13 when architect Jackie Lebow showed the plans for our civic center. A beautiful building! I thank Jack Calvert, chairman, and his committee members Cherry Hargrove, Jill Carroll, David Whitis and Steve Hudson for their vision and hard work.

Mr. Lebow then began showing the plans for a scaled down center since the original plans came in way over budget. The new plans called for a $1 million to $1.5 million pavilion! What a disappointment!

We have saved the hotel/motel funds all these years to build something big enough that our community could enjoy and be proud of using. Could we really be proud of a facility, not even air-conditioned, for stage 1? I sat there observing the council members and wondered just how they would vote when the time came. I was somewhat amused when John Cole requested that two more feet be added to the hall between the restrooms because people would be seeking air-conditioning. I wondered how that could be decided -- "old ladies" or "old men" or "babies." What about the rest of the folks wanting air-conditioning? And what about that extra 10 percent excavation cost of pad down there?

I came home from that workshop in tears. I decided I must be a pessimist. I won't live long enough for it to matter, so I'll just stay out of it. But here I am sharing my feelings, Judy, because you invited it.

Is Hanna Spring/Campbell Park really the right place for a civic center? True, it is a beautiful place, and we love our springs, one of our best assets. They hold many legends of our glorious past. I am so glad they have been restored and saved for future generations to enjoy. But what an opportunity we are missing by not promoting them more than we do. Can we imagine a "Creek Walk" something similar to San Antonio's River Walk?

They do smell bad, worse at times. This summer, Hanna Springs has really been bad, probably due to lower spring flow because of the drought. According to Gunnar Bruce, "Springs of Texas, Vol. I, 1981, page 11, "The heat of summer days causes the spring flow to subside. Spring flow may be three times as high in winter." And don't we hope to attract guests to the civic center in summer?

We had friends who entered the Spring Ho Barbecue Cookoff this year, and we visited them. The chamber did some good planning by bringing all those trailers and RVs from FM 580 East down Hackberry Street. It was very orderly, and some 66 teams participated. But we heard and overheard several questions which follow.

"What smells bad down here?" "That food at that plant smells terrible, doesn't it?" "Where are those restrooms that smell so bad?" Please, chamber planners, if you bring our cooking friends down Hackberry next year, please erect a sign, "Welcome to Lampasas, Home of Sulphur Spring Waters."

I, too, long for us to work together! We are a small town, and we could accomplish so much more if united. Some of us work for Vision Downtown Lampasas!, the hospital, Key Avenue, the sports complex, Lampasas Association for the Arts, the Hostess House, the Colored School, the chamber, new schools, the golf course and others. Can we only imagine what a committee made up of one representative from each of these special-interest groups could accomplish if they put their heads together? They might even include some young people. Am I dreaming?

I especially would like to see that beautiful civic center located on one of our main highways, a nice attraction for Lampasas. Perhaps the following:

• U.S. Highway 281 South, Hancock Springs

Tear down those old golf cart sheds and present pavilion. I know the golfers are shuddering, but other towns have civic centers near golf courses; why couldn't we?

Early on, I suggested to Jack Calvert that near the new high school would be nice. We could share a performing arts center with the school. He checked into that, but the school needed all the space.

• U.S. Highway 281 North Near the airport.

• U.S. Highway 183 South

There does not seem to be a need for the property acquired for a jail, right now. Why not there?

The Business Park: You say no water, electricity, sewer? Well, just maybe that would get some big things started out there.

• U.S. Highway 190

As far as I know, the city owns no property out there, but it could be possible with some teamwork.

Let us not scale back just because of money or because we have waited too long. Let us work together and raise the money for something we and our visitors can enjoy and be proud of. Only 100 people, or organizations, giving $500 each and building on stable ground, we can have that HVAC comfort in a facility to be proud of.

Teamwork: Together we achieve the extra ordinary.

Glynda Carpenter

The "History of Hancock Springs" was researched and compiled for Texas Historical Commission by Glynda Carpenter, 1852-1992. Books are $20 each from any member of Daughters of the Republic of Texas.