Don’t be misled by empty promises

The City of Marysville and Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon want us to believe that once a NASCAR racetrack is complete it will resemble a “large park that just happens to have a racetrack in it for six days out of the year.”

Do they actually expect us to believe that ridiculous statement? The racetrack in Joliet, Ill., has 92 events a year. A partial breakdown: three-day weekend of NASCAR racing; three-day weekend of Indy racing; five days of Richard Petty driving school; nine days of Mario Andretti driving school; 21 days of test driving by racing teams; a one-day swap meet; a three-day tractor show; and two days of fundraisers.

Moreover, International Speedway Corp. has no plans for and would not be involved in planning a family recreation center. ISC has agreed to chip in a whopping $50 million toward the construction costs of the track. Apparently, ISC expects Washington taxpayers to fund the remaining $200 million to construct the racetrack, and whatever costs go along with maintaining the track.

I find it difficult to believe that the city of Marysville would fall for such a lopsided deal, especially when you consider that ISC contributed $93 million to the racetrack in Kansas, $130 million toward the racetrack in Illinois and $120 million toward the racetrack in California.

Hey guys, I can make you a great deal on the Brooklyn Bridge.

GEORGE SAMBRANO

Marysville