One dictionary's definition of a devil's advocate is "a person who advocates an opposing or unpopular cause for the sake of argument or to expose it to a thorough examination."

Another's definition is "a person arguing from a point of view which they do not necessarily consider his or her own."

Keep those thoughts in mind as you read the words that follow.

A number of interesting and probably progressive projects are on the drawing board for the City of Cullman. All may be perfectly timed, well researched and easily financed. All may provide needed services for residents of the area.

Then, again, maybe there is room for additional study. Or second thoughts.

Item: Plans seem to be moving forward on development of a new farmers market facility just north of the downtown warehouse district and across from the city's economic development office's parking lot.

Sounds like a good idea, especially for the county known as Alabama's top agricultural area and especially, again, if the facility can truly meet multiple uses. Two proposals have apparently emerged, each approximately the same size and each with benefits, though separated by roughly $200,000 in construction costs.

The cost difference alone merits close scrutiny. So does a careful look at artists' renderings of the respective complexes. City planners seem to have been asleep several years ago when a new non-conforming metal building was allowed in the central business district. A repeat of that mistake should not be allowed.

Item: Approval has been granted to construct a pedestrian underpass connecting Heritage and Ingle Parks on West Main Avenue near Graham Street. A state grant will provide $411,000 for the project that is expected to cost in excess of $510,000. The city will be required to pay 20 percent of the total cost.

Sounds like a bargain. Pedestrian and vehicular traffic is likely to expand significantly once the new Ingle Park fields are in play and the underpass, if used, would ease the flow between parks, if used.

City leaders say an underpass would be better than an overpass since maintenance equipment could also use the underpass.

But what about safety? Would an underpass create an almost invisible area where darkness and inaccessibility could pose possible danger? Not in Cullman, you say. Remember, a young woman was assaulted earlier this month at the West Elementary playground.

Item: Progress is inching forward on development of the proposed $12 million Ingle Park complex that might include an aquatics center, a water park, a wellness center and other ancillary services. The holdup seems to revolve around securing a consistent funding source large enough to retire the debt.

Great idea. The aquatics center is badly needed. Not only is the current NeSmith pool in poor condition, a community near water outlets like Smith Lake needs a pool where citizens can learn to swim, where recreational and therapeutic programs can be regularly scheduled, where families can enjoy time together.

Let's make certain the focus is on use by residents, however. Creating a schedule that centers on making money instead of enhancing the quality-of-life for fulltime residents is a mistake. While having a pool for competitive meets (age-group and school) is a plus (are three-meter boards a liability issue?), that should be an additional design benefit, not the major reason for construction.

And the wellness center certainly deserves further thought. Private enterprise and existing school facilities seem to be meeting that need now. Why go into competition with our own businesses?

Taxes and bond issues are the proposed method of funding the complex. That idea appears to have slowed the progress, prompting what seems a simple question. Has a city- or county-wide fundraising campaign been considered? Supporters committed to good health, to youth, adult and senior programs, to leisure time opportunities might be willing to build and furnish the facility, or come together for a single effort that expresses community generosity in making a dream come true for all ages.

Whatever the method, let's hope the final construction price will include a substantial amount of money set aside for long-term maintenance. That ensures lasting quality.

Item: Plans to install sidewalks along the now five-lane U.S. 278 between West Elementary and Interstate 65 are moving forward.

That's nice and the thoroughfare will likely grow as a gateway to the city, but truthfully, will anyone ever use the sidewalks? Benches, flowering shrubs and period lighting would be nice, too, and might be an even more logical move. Maybe building a tall fence or developing a beautification plan for the area and negotiating with property owners to keep their parcels neat and orderly would better serve our efforts.

Item: Just the thought of all those potentially terrific advancements in key areas is a sign our community is unique, our economy sound and our future bright.

The final thought is one of multiple questions. What comes first? Do we have a master plan? What is it? What are our priorities? How are they decided? By whom? Who asks the tough questions and creates deeper study by challenging the answers? Who makes certain we stay on track? What does the future hold? How do we become all we seek to be?

Let me use the dictionary one more time.

The word is vision. Portions of its definition include "something seen otherwise than by ordinary sight" and "unusual wisdom in foreseeing what is going to happen."

A devil's advocate might wonder which direction we're headed. And why.



‰ Ed Darling is the publisher of The Cullman Times. His column appears on Sundays..