EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a selection of responses shared by readers of MDJOnline.com in reaction to recent MDJ stories ...

Study OK'd for $72M south Cobb sports park ...

Yoyo45 wrote - OK, so what if we build the 16-field complex to satisfy "Perfect Game" Co. so they do not relocate to Osceola County, Fla., and soon after we start work they decide to build 18 fields down there?

Ack wrote - It wasn't possible to issue bonds for voter improved open space parks, but it's OK to issue bonds for a sports complex? Hmm...

Anonymous wrote - People who build these complexes in the private sector forget one key point: You will never recoup the construction costs. When something is built with SPLOST dollars, they aren't trying to make the cost of building it back. This group cannot even pay for a $500k study themselves. We are supposed to believe they will be able to pay $5 million per year for 30 years? In 4 to 5 years, this operation will fail and the county will be stuck with it. Just to give you an idea about how their "numbers" don't add up: They are budgeting $150,000 per year for maintenance. That isn't enough to maintain one field, much less a 300-acre complex in a flood plain. Isn't it ironic that this is proposed and pushed through as soon as Commission Chairman Sam Olens is gone?

MK, sick of BS! wrote - Does anyone (outside of west and south Cobb) even know where Powder Springs is? There is absolutely no infrastructure to support a project like this. It seems Gwinnett County up around Duluth or Suwannee would be much more attractive. Next we'll hear that a new road will need to be built. The price will then go up to $100 million. All these big money, stimulus money projects are meant to get their hands on the money, quickly, w/out a whole lot of thought about future benefit.

Mike R. wrote - Build soccer fields, basketball courts, lacrosse fields, softball fields. All you have to use is mostly cement and grass. But don't come with this type of business giveaway. It is clearly fraud if this company gets the benefits. Who knows what they are trying to pull wherever they are located right now, putting pressure on that local community?

Overburdened taxpayer wrote - If the project is so darn great why do they need public money? If it is a low risk/high reward "Dream" that will generate so much revenue, why don't the private partners put up their own money? I know the answer. Let's see if Cobb's (taxpaying) voters know and are willing to put a rapid halt to out-of-control government intrusion into our capitalist economy.

Earl Ballgame wrote - For a guy that opposes developers receiving public financing for redevelopment projects (state Rep. Earl Ehrhart), to ask for $72 million in public financing for baseball fields seems just a bit odd to me. For a county commission that has done virtually nothing to attract badly needed economic development and investment to southwest Cobb to even consider issuing $72 million in bonds for baseball fields rather than uses that would create real jobs and real economic impacts is even odder. If the MDJ thinks public financing of the Marietta Conference Center was a horrible idea, we can look forward to oodles of editorials panning this turkey.

Getrealnow wrote - You got to be kidding me! Why should we go further into debt to fund additional baseball fields in Cobb? We have over 130 county baseball fields in Cobb today. The county operates less than 40 rectangle fields for soccer, football, lacrosse and rugby combined! There are also more children playing these sports today than there are playing baseball. If they want to build a baseball complex for their tournaments I say great, let them pay for it, but don't ask us to borrow more money to pay for their dream. This is not a dream, this is a nightmare!

Publicprivate wrote - Did you people read the article? All the money will be spent by the private interests to pay the debt service. They pay millions in lease fees and up front costs from the private side. It brings in four corporate headquarters which provide over 100 jobs and millions in revenue to the county. It also provides millions to the parks bond program. Contractual leases to the county should be guaranteed and the risk is with the private sector as well. Sounds like a win-win.

Taxed Payer wrote - If the Bank of North Georgia won't finance it and a BNG bigwig sits on the board of this project, the taxpayers shouldn't have to put their hard-earned money at risk. "Tourism" is the quickest way to a crummy community there is. One good management job for 25 lousy housekeeping, grounds work, maintenance jobs that attract illegal immigrants and transients that suck away local tax dollars. Cobb residents don't want to live near a hotel/motel complex. How about some industrial or financial jobs that pay good salaries and attract educated people? Got any ideas for those Earl?