In 1923 the city asked for permission to come across a small strip of our land to access their new sewer plant. This was reaffirmed in 1957. Now they want to build a bypass road and abandon the access.

We have no problem with that but what we do have a problem they plan an approximately two-block boulevard with a median, which would impede access to our cornfield with the large equipment because of the median. This will give us no way to access our east gate.

With the strip of land that they promised would be ours, we would be able to use that gate. There will be a five-mile detour to reach a field a quarter of a mile away through the city and on Highway 92. The other gate to this field is not placed for easy access. But the city claims this promise is not enforceable after 20 years.

Last year they paved the street we live on and needed to extend a culvert. We agreed they could access our land and they again promised it would be put back in the same condition it was in. If they put any grass seed on it, it was a little bit of leftover seed from seeding the sidewalks. We have nothing but a weedy mess.  They say sorry and will take care of it, but we never see them again. Just another promise they have no intention of keeping.

Another example when they tiled the subdivision to run into another culvert dumping out on another cornfield assuring us that the water would run down the ditch. Big joke, because water is going to flow wherever is easiest.

For the past 10 years, the city looks at it, tells us they are sorry and will do something about it and we lose the crops in that corner due to flooding. A big thank you to Supervisor Stoops and Councilmen Gault and Stigers who looked at it and within a week they had a tile put in to run the water to a drainage ditch. It is the first time we have had corn growing in that corner.

For 50 years the city has been a good neighbor. If there was a problem, it would be worked out. This past 10 years the city has been a bully. Many promises seldom met. When you talk to them, they tell you all they will do and promptly forget it when you leave city hall.

Possibly legally they can claim that small strip of land we were promised was ours when they no longer use it but morally a promise is a promise.

Keith and Sara Murphy

Washington, Iowa