Recently a couple of writers have offered their opinions on the timing of the improvements to downtown Lakeport and/or to whether they should even be done.

I am certain that businesses have been effected but I don’t know whether or not it is to the extent these writers claim. I hope it does not turn out to be as dire as they predict.

My real issue with the previous writers is their claim that the city (i assume they mean the council and staff) do not care about our business community.

I know all of the council members and most of the city staff. They do care about the businesses here and the people who own them. This seems an unfair claim to make of these people based upon this redevelopment project.

The complaint about the timing of the construction to occur between mid-May and mid-September is a valid concern. But, what was the alternative?

The schedule calls for at least four months to complete. If the work was to begin in mid-September it would not finish until at least mid-January. That puts it into the rainy season.

The average rainfall is close to 18 inches during those four months. What impact would that have of this type of construction? What would be the consequences of delays in street paving, for example?

Many factors went into the planning process for this project that is utilizing locally generated redevelopment funds to complete. The result will be an improved look to this section of downtown.

I do hope that all of the businesses are there to enjoy it. Let us all show our support for those businesses by shopping in them.

Dennis A. Rollins lives in Lakeport, Calif.