Cheyenne Mayoral candidate Marian Orr says she thinks Cheyenne should fix the streets before using tax money to build the Children's Museum of Cheyenne.

In a video on her campaign facebook page, Orr says that she supported building the museum when the plan called for it to be built through money from private donations.

But in regard to put a funding proposal before voters calling for roughly $17 million in sixth or seventh penny sales tax money to build the facility, Orr says she thinks there are more urgent needs that need to be taken care of.

She says the projected cost of the museum has gone from $11 million to be paid for through private funding to around $21 million with most of that to be paid for through sales tax money, adding she is opposed to funding a private non-profit group with public tax money.

Orr says if the museum can't be funded through private donations planners should consider scaling back their plans so they are less expensive.

She says she thinks fixing potholes on Cheyenne streets and other infrastructure issues should be the top priority in the face of tight funding due to the state's economic downturn.

Supporters of the ballot proposal say the museum would draw 45,000 visitors a year and would pump money into the local economy and generate sales taxes.

Another argument used in favor of tax funding is that the museum would eliminate a long-time eyesore in "the hole" on West Lincolnway, in addition to the educational benefits it would offer.

Supporters also point out that if the proposal goes before voters, they would have the final word on the issue.

While some local officials and at least one other mayoral candidate-Pete Illoway--question whether seventh penny sales tax money could be earmarked for the museum, Museum Board President Amy Surdam--who is also running for mayor--says attorneys have told her that could be done.

See the video below:

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