Dear Editor: There are persons in the city of Covington administration who have found a "cash cow," the proceeds from the sale of Covington Cable, and are going to milk it dry.

Are the citizens of Covington going to accept as gospel what they have been told and what has been quoted in the newspaper or are they going to investigate and find out the facts behind the purchase of the three buildings for Rainbow Community Ministries.

It was reported in the newspapers that the buildings and land were appraised at $980,000. This is not true. As of Sept. 19, two days after the mayor cast his tie-breaking vote, no written appraisal had been received by the city of Covington. Where did that appraisal figure come from?

A quote in the newspapers stated that only minor repairs are needed to be done to the buildings. Anyone with an ounce of sense knows that the installation of sprinkler systems in the three buildings is not a minor repair and is going to be costly. In addition, the installation of showers in the three buildings is not a minor repair. Evidently, whoever made these statements has not priced building materials lately. The windows are rotted out and will need to be replaced. Is that a minor repair?

There is also an underlying constitutional question - what has happened to the separation of church and state? In my humble opinion, the Constitution has been violated by the vote taken on Sept. 17. A challenge of that vote on constitutional grounds may be forthcoming. Even if the Housing Authority buys the properties with money funneled from the city of Covington, it is still a government agency. Therefore, faith-based groups using the properties violate the Constitution.

Citizens of Covington, wake up. Promises have been made under the table to other groups who want some of the milk from the "cash cow" cable sale proceeds. Don't let it happen.