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September 17th, 2007
NOTES
1. Well, the effort by the wrecking crew at the Utilities Commission to drag the City directly into the “CYA” exercise mounted by Diesen, Spangler, and Para foundered at the last City Commission meeting. They did not endorse the letter written by Mr. Preston to the FBI, upon advice of counsel. Even their co-opted Commissioners did not feel comfortable in voting against the legal advice provided by Mr. Gummey. Let’s face it, they have lost about $15,000,000 in the last three years, and none of the obfuscating CPA language espoused by their auditor changes the fact telecommunications was in the black when they trashed it. Their action at the Commission meeting does not restore one's faith in the system, but at least it is a small start.
2. The taxpayers have had a fair week in the budget debate. The workshop last Wednesday reduced the subsidy from the reserves to only $500,000, but that is dependent on the projections for both the golf course and the sports complex being any thing near the projections. Any shortfall in that revenue will result in a direct dollar for dollar additional drain on the reserves since it is unlikely that there will be any significant increase in revenue from other sources. Well, it is not the 14% cut that Governor Crist wanted , but it does go further to cut spending than they originally proposed and what was hidden in the 10% scam of claiming the millage rate cut of 10% represented a 10% cut in spending.
3. Will wonders never cease? Richard Spangler, who we have consistently derided for being a large part of the mismanagement problem at the Utilities Commission, raised the issue of the Angler's Club subsidy at the budget hearing. Perhaps our year long effort to raise the publics awareness of this scam has not been in vain, and may be developer/Utilities Commissioner Spangler’s interest will stimulate his City Commissioner “buds” to look into the issue. In fact, Commissioner Plaskett has been trying to open the door with her concern about leases, but no one was listening. We think it is about time, and on this issue, we welcome even the strangest ally to the fold of rational taxation for valuable leased property.
4. Sally MacKay, Spangler's wife, and a candidate for Mayor, stated at the Planning and Zoning meeting last Monday that someone had to address the subsidies at the golf course and the sports complex. The next thing you know she will tell you that she does not believe her supporters want to tell you what color to paint your house. Now, when Marilyn Lindley, Chairman of the Golf Advisory Board finds out the Sally may want to farm out management of the municipal golf course, or at least investigate the possibility, will she and her Board continue to support Sally? How about the flying saucer and witch crowd if she admits she does not see witches over Edgewater?
1. The “Flip-Flop Certification Board” for improperly applying the term to Commissioner Jack Grasty has chastised us. It seems they will only permit certification to someone who first does one thing, then turns around and does the opposite. They used Senator Craig from Idaho for his guilty plea turn around on sex solicitation charges, and Senator Kerry of Massachusetts for his turn around vote on the Iraq War. They referred to Jack's vote to reappoint Jean Diesen to the Utilities Commission as a “snake in the grass” type of action. We have, therefore, coined a new designation; “Flop-Flip” Jack, to get our point across., and not offend more professional certification boards.
2. We must admit that when we make a mistake it is a big one. Remember when we told you that Commissioner Plaskett had seen witches over the house in Edgewater (we even published a picture of that house on Riverside Drive)? Several witches associations contacted us and stated unequivocally that they had no coven or branches in Southeast Volusia County, and besides, no self respecting witch would be caught dead flying aimlessly over a non-certified house. Now flying saucers are another story! We are told that there is a chapter in the area that meets regularly to discuss sightings. We are obtaining a disc of Commissioner Plaskett's experiences as she told to Maury Povich, and will share it with you in the next week or two.
DEAR JOHN
We know of the limited resources available to John Hagood, the City Manager, and to his inability to get all of the important letters written that he would like to send. So we decided to help him and provide him drafts that will simplify his tasks and free him up for important.
MEMORANDUM
September 17, 2007
TO: The New Smyrna Beach City Commissioners
FROM: John Hagood
The latest effort by the Utilities Commission to have the City ratify what is appearing more and more like an effort to place blame on others for their transgressions is raising a number of serious questions about the City’s oversight function. In view of the fact that the UC now has the highest rates in Central Florida, we can not avoid the speculation that we have failed in our oversight duties, and that it is our responsibility to fix the problem.
It looks like the Utilities Commission has spent around $1,000,000 to try to pin the losses of the last three years on the old management. As the lady said, “Where’s the beef?” They buried a resolution in what was sent to us last week as a routine agenda item for you to ratify, a proposal that would have embroiled us in their ill advised blame. Even Frank said so.
I believe the City should be pro-active in developing an objective assessment about the truth of the matter. To that end, at your next meeting please discuss issuing a request for bids to investigative, examine, and review the current operations of the Utilities Commission. I believe that a comprehensive investigation and review could be undertaken for less than $100,000, which is a fraction of the costs to our citizens who buy power. It is also compatible with the technique used by the UC to justify their projects and need to spend money they do not have. Furthermore, it would show the voters that we have their best interests at heart, and are performing our oversight responsibilities. It is win, win, win!
Thank you,
John
“Best Blog of the Week”
(Edited for grammar and punctuation)
A POTPOURRI OF CITIZEN COMMENTS IS
AGAIN PROVIDED THIS WEEK IN ORDER
FOR YOU TO GET IN TUNE WITH THE
MOOD OF OUR READERS
* This is where it is so funny. Sally Mackay built a brand new house on the beachside in 2000 on a lot that did not meet the current zoning size regulations. Her lot is 1/3 too small. She is running on the platform of protecting the beachside from over development. The problem is that she is one of the over developers. I guess her platform is "she will protect us from people like her?” Just thinking about it, wouldn't the best way to protect us from people like Sally Mackay would be not to elect Sally Mackay mayor?
* Jim Hathaway is an honest man who has put four kids through college working long hours in a grocery store and the bread business, not to mention the 13 years he has spent on the Commission. He has earned my vote for another term.
* To Flug...You should be ashamed of yourself making fun of the city government. What do you expect? Department heads to drive their own car to work? Next thing you’ll expect is the city not to have the League of Florida Cities dinner. How will the homely public servants get dates? How will the elected officials give their placebo hugs? How will they pat each other on the back without holding the political dagger? Alcohol a problem? Not at all! Really folks, there is so much fat to cut no one would be without pork rinds until our Sun goes out. Can’t we all just get along!
* Bill uneducated white trash Rogers won his first election 20 years ago falsely accusing his opponent of not living in the zone. It is part of the Diesen-Rogers-Mackay-Slimy City Unions play book. It was untrue 20 years ago and is probably untrue now.
* Diesen/city unions are afraid of Kelly. I wonder why? Sounds like it might be good for us!
* Jack started out his political career with good and honest intentions. Ditto is correct; he sold his soul for false promises from the Hags. Utility Commission employees only tell him what he wants to hear. We know he is now a Diesen puppet. Any employee who apposes Diesen is terminated by Rodi. When they look at Jack, they see Diesen. Jack you have let us down. You will get a few union votes in the next election, but that is it.
* Tom Kelly lives in Sugar Mill. Kassi Mercy would have been required to file a sworn complaint affidavit under the penalty of perjury that she has personal knowledge that Mr. Kelly does not live in Sugar Mill. If Kassi Mercy filed a false complaint, affidavit that is a felony. It will be interesting to see if Mercy is arrested for filing a false report.
* Wondering why Randy Rich the commissioner was at the fund raiser for Sally??? Does that mean he supports her instead of Jim for Mayor? Just wondering?
* Oh, I have a reason to vote for Jim Jones over Lynn Plaskett. Jim Jones has never been on the Maury Povich show talking about being cured of cancer by space aliens. I guess that means he is not crazy?
* We all have dreams of being successful. The problem most of us face is no one is willing to invest in our dreams. Everyone needs to understand that the building boom has busted. All of the investors have left the city. All we have to keep the city afloat is the money that comes in every month when the retirement checks are cashed. That is not enough money to support all the businesses are restaurants in town. Getting the investors to come back is going to be
* Wow reductions with no layoffs here in NSB. What happened with the threat that the Motor Cycle Police would all be laid off or eliminated? It was words only plus a threat to scare us all. We still have the overpaid Grass Catcher at the Golf Course, we still have an over paid City Attorney, we still have the Gold Plated Refuse Collection truck at City Recs, we still have Gas Guzzlers parked in front of City Hall, we still have Police that live out of Town taking home vehicles using our gas money, etc. When oh when will our leadership step up to the plate and try harder to understand what costs reductions really mean. No matter what, it is time for new blood and thinking by our leadership. We need reform now plus 2 years from now. We are sick and tired of the same ole excuses and/or more of the same. Read our lips, as it is time to work harder at what you were elected to do for all the Citizens.
REGISTER AND VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION
IT IS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN, AND YOU CAN NOW HAVE YOUR SAY AND WIELD YOUR POWER. DO YOUR JOB, REGISTER AND VOTE. IF YOU CANNOT GO TO THE POLLS, OR YOU WILL BE OUT OF TOWN ON ELECTION DAY, REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT, MARK, AND RETURN IT TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS BEFORE YOU LEAVE. THERE WILL BE A PRIMARY ELECTION ON OCTOBER 9 FOR COMMISSIONER ZONE 3, UNLESS ONE OR MORE CANDIDATES DROP OUT OF THE RACE. THE GENERAL ELECTION IS NOVEMBER 6.
CALL THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS’ OFFICE IN NSB AT 423-3311, OR VISIT HER WEB SITE http://volusia.org/elections/reginfo.htm#voter AND REQUEST AN ABSENTEE BALLOT.
LEARN EVERYTHING YOU CAN ABOUT THE CANDIDATES’ PHILOSOPHY AND POSITIONS ON ISSUES, ATTEND MEETINGS AND SO CALLED DEBATES WHERE THEY WILL APPEAR, ASK YOUR QUESTIONS NO MATTER HOW STRIDENT, BE A PARTICIPANT, KNOW YOUR CANDIDATE!
TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. ENCOURAGE THEM TO REGISTER AND VOTE, AND TO ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME.
LET US STRIVE FOR AND ACHIEVE AT LEAST 50% OF REGISTERED VOTERS VOTING IN NOVEMBER!
YOU CAN PREVAIL, THE SHADOW KNOWS!
THE FOLLOWING UNSOLICITED PRESS RELEASE WAS PROVIDED TO THE SHADOW BY CANDIDATE KELLY AND IS PUBLISHED IN VIEW OF THE CURRENT CONTROVERSY OVER HIS RESIDENCY AND ALLEGED IMPROPER OVERTURES TO MRS. MERCY. WE WILL PUBLISH HER RESPONSE, SHOULD SHE CHOOSE TO MAKE ONE.
PRESS RELEASE
Contact:
Thomas C. Kelly
1054 Red Maple Way
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
386-576-3993
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Thomas C. Kelly, candidate for Commissioner (Zone 3), New Smyrna Beach released the following statement:
Kassi Mercy and her husband Mark’s recent allegations regarding my campaign are both false and slanderous, and nothing more than a desperate attempt to gain attention to her otherwise issueless campaign. This is not the first time Ms. Mercy’s backers have employed these tactics against the voters. Ms. Mercy is clearly employing the same tactics she claims to condemn. Personally, I am saddened that Ms. Mercy has engaged in such appalling behavior.
Ms. Mercy’s recent actions illustrate the exact behavior I oppose and that which I will never ascribe. My campaign is based on the interests of the taxpayers of New Smyrna Beach, and will be based solely on their interests, maligning no one.
Toward that end, I intend to bring clean and honest practices to our City as your Commissioner, and look forward to the invitation.
THE 'BLOG”
We do not accuse City officials of being crooks or candidates of being drunks or whores. Nor do we care whether they live with a parent to take care of that parent or that the parent is providing them financial support. That is their business. Similarly, we are not into marital problems with or without alleged extra marital affairs. We are civil, and that includes not accusing someone of a crime, drunkenness, disorderly conduct, or real or perceived infidelity. Some might call someone Attila the Hun, with the thought that Attila was vicious and a murderer. Most Romans would say he should not have killed all of those Roman soldiers. Romans of course were not impressed that he was a hero for the Huns, or that the Huns considered him a left wing liberal for his time. He was the devil incarnate for the Romans and we believe that few Romans cared about his character, and even fewer ever gave a second thought to the proposition that he loved his parents. Calling someone a Hun in our society is part of a debate. Calling a candidate a drunk or a whore is not.
We will take such juvenile postings and outrageous accusations off as soon as we see them. We do not think highly of those that make such postings, and can not imagine that any candidate or elected official would welcome the public opprobrium that comes with such associations. Rumors are now rife that one of the candidates actually posted one of the defamatory blogs, but we do not check IT filings, and if we could, we would not. We have our doubts as to the judgment of those who see flying saucers and witches, but that does not make them crooks or drunks, and if you think that people who see them have more probity and sagacity than those who do not, vote for them. However, when a flying lox box tells you it as airplane, or a radical who wishes to change New Smyrna Beach as you know it tells you she is a moderate and a conservative, it is your right to not believe her and to say so. It is not your right to attack her as a person of low moral character, though some would like to do so. Please keep this election on issues, and not lower yourself to posting gutter trash, like that which appeared on the Shadow Blog last Tuesday morning.
We do not remove statements that are on the issues, even if we feel they are poorly stated or, in some instances that the authors are trying to inject misinformation into the discussion. Several of the blogs last week suggest that some very sophisticated political professionals are now involved in our local election. The postings were too slick even for our local professional boys and girls.
NEW CHARTS NEW CHARTS NEW CHARTS
W-2S REVISITED
The W-2's published over the last few weeks are again presented this week as an EXCEL file so that you can manipulate the data as you wish. Additionally, we provide a number of analyses regarding pay and benefits. We have added charts in columns showing each employee and the percentage of increase that includes the benefit package for each employee. NEWer LINK
POSITION ON ISSUES
Last week the Shadow sent to each of the candidates for elected office a proposed list of questions that we believed would highlight the differences between them and their opponent on issues. We want to be fair so we asked if there were any issues they wished us to ask that we had not included on our list. We await their response, but regardless of whether they respond or not we intend to post our questions in the issue of September 24, 2007.
That issue or the next will give you our read on the positions of the candidates for the Zone 3 primary scheduled for October
We intend to publish this chart weekly so that you can, we hope, track with some degree of certainty the position of each candidate on the major issues. We will run a poll primarily on those issues which affect financial stability, budgets, pay and benefits for public employees, investment climate, oversight of the Utilities Commission, zoning, consolidation of some or all fire and police service within the County, etc. We do not care about hair styles and general grooming, but we do care, as someone said, that with a continuation of the current negative investment climate, the fact that you probably can not buy a high quality white shirt or decent wing tip shoes in New Smyrna Beach will not change.
made an effort to contact elected officials and candidates by email to obtain their views. So far, no one has chosen to respond. Could it be that they do not want you to know their position on the issues, or is it that they have no position, and are waiting for their handlers to tell them what to say? Maybe they are afraid that if you know, you might not vote for them. However, we think you should know and encourage you to email the candidates and ask them to answer the questions and send their responses to the Shadow at nsbshaodow@gmail.com. We will compile and publish the answers for everyone’s’ perusal.
As we stated above, we have
WHAT IS YOUR POSITION ON THE FOLLOWING ISSUES?
PLEASE INSERT QUESTIONS IN BLANK ROWS ABOVE THAT YOU BELIEVE ARE IMPORTANT IN THIS CAMPAIGN!
Although not organized by topics, the Shadow ARCHIVES can be perused by our readers to find articles, facts, and editorial comments that may be useful in formulating your questions.
ITS BILL ROGERS IN BACK TO THE FUTURE
We think Wild Bill Rogers is promoting mud slinging as a method for defeating the opponents of his candidates rather than having them respond to the important issues facing the city. We think he is at it again. When Rogers, the first appointed campaign manager for Sally Mackay before she dumped him for the even less politically astute Janice Baum, is clearly still in the campaign as an advisor. Some years ago, when running for the city commission, he claimed that his opponent did not live in the proper zone. His claim was proved untrue. He knew it, and was therefore a hypocrite. So far, the Mackay campaign has claimed that one of the candidates in zone 3 is a drunk, sponges off his rich dad, and does not live in the zone for which he is seeking office. Sound familiar? Mrs. Mercy has filed an election complaint claiming that one of her opponents does not live in Zone 3, and that he asked her to get out of the race because he was thinking of running. She claims that this request was a bribe.
The issue is, does Mackay and her running mate in Zone 3, Mrs. Mercy; want to tell you what color to paint your house, and whether it is OK to rebuild your condominium on the beach? That is the issue, not the unfounded accusations that paint your opponent as dishonest. If voters like your position on the issues, they will vote for you. However, if you do not care to discuss the issues, Bill Rogers is available to start up his mud slinging machine. Some call the Mayor a crook, but remember someone may also call your candidate derogatory names and rake their past through the mud. The KEY to an informed electorate is to discuss the issues and not sling mud. We take this opportunity to remind mudslingers of that old adage, “What goes around, comes around.”
FIRE DEPARTMENT 14% SPENDING CUT?
Last week we published a PDF showing how the NSB Department Heads would cut 14% from their respective budgets (SEE LINK) .We stated at the time, that we would examine each submission in turn and tell you our views. For your reading pleasure, here is Chief Hawver’’s submission. It does not remotely conform to the request made by the City Manager, and should have been returned with a demand that it either be done correctly, or that some one would be appointed who would. This submission is a laundry list of things that the City Manager could do, with no quantification of what the City would save by doing any of the listed items. It is an arrogant determination that the City Manager can be ignored, and that the fire department does not have to answer to the elected officials or its amanuensis's. It should have been returned as not responsive. Apparently, it was not, because there is no further submission that shows compliance. Judge for yourself!
A review of the document itself is a trip though wonderland. First there are a number of suggestions that literally state there is currently waste and abuse in the department, that if fixed, could save money in the 2008 budget. However, if there is a currently identified practice of waste and abuse of sick leave, good management requires that it should have been fixed already. As the Chief, he has a fiduciary responsibility to his command structure not to waste the City's money. It is his responsibility to tell his personnel to stop abusing sick leave. In fact, he was directed months ago to stop the abuse of sick leave, and the proposed budget shows over a $100,000 saving already effected this year on that one item alone. The sad story is, that he knew there was abuse and did nothing about it until directed to do so by his boss. The Shadow estimated that the savings would be closer to $300,000 if he is made to do his job.
Then there are the suggestions that if the City Manager did his job better there would be savings. For instance, telling him savings could be accomplished by putting some of the insurance contracts up for bid, or that he should look into sick leave abuse in other departments. That has nothing to do with what cuts should be made in his department. We particularly were amused by his suggestion that the City Manager might explore cutting overtime from 56 hours to 48 hours weekly. One would think that if the current program was not what the Fire Chief thought to be necessary, why is it in place to begin with.
We must admit that the suggestion that NSBFD could make money by taking over the County Rescue and ambulance service (EVAC) caught our fancy, because what is on the table is quite the contrary. It is to transition our fire department out of that business. We also thought the proposal to have a reserve (volunteer?) group was interesting. Well, why do you not have one? Our valued readers look it over and see what makes you grin? Well maybe not grin, because you are paying for this nonsense.
PERSPECTIVE, OR WHO WILL TELL YOU WHAT COLOR
TO PAINT YOUR HOUSE
The major differences between the two candidates for Mayor is that the incumbent is a moderate whose idea of saving charm is that when you want to go to Home Depot or Lowes to buy paint for the outside of your house, you do not need to first go down to City Hall and get a permit. You get to decide what is charming and you alone protect the value of your property and that of your neighborhood. Neither candidate wants to see the charm disappear, but the incumbent Mayor does not believe that it takes the hand of government to be on your shoulder when you paint your house or rebuild the porch. One of the underlying principles of property rights, at least in this country, has been that you can generally do with your property what you want, as long as you do not create a public nuisance and abide with zoning and covenants you have agreed to when you bought your property.
Moreover, the Mayor believes, we think, that if those who own property in center city do not want an historic district that the rest of the City, particularly the North Peninsula machine, should not have an overly powerful voice in forcing that decision upon those that live there. The Save the Charm group cannot apparently convince their neighbors to sign a petition in sufficient numbers to put the question to the voters, so they are apparently trying to elect officials who will. While this might seem a micro issue, it is also indicative of what this election is about, and it translates to many other areas such as whether a condominium owner can use his or her money to rebuild after a hurricane, or whether a restaurant must conform to overly restrictive parking limitations, rather than leaving it up to the patrons who may or may not want to put up with a longer walk from legal parking to eat dinner. If they do not, the restaurant fails.
Hypocrisy has become an issue because one of the candidates for Mayor has been the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Board, and she has pressed forward, over the last few years, with all sorts of proposed ordinances that will limit how you can use your property. Some have labeled her a Socialist, which unfortunately they use as a pejorative rather than just descriptive. Several of these Ordinances, if enacted, will probably embroil the City in endless litigation because they affect some properties in a disparate manner, and others would not permit you to rebuild your condominium with your own money if it should be damaged. Keep in mind that her campaign manager, Janice Baum, is the chief proponent, with Kassi Mercy, of telling you what color to paint your house whether you like that color or not. As some have been quick to point out, it is also significant that while Sally Mackay wants to limit your use though zoning changes, she and her husband saw nothing inconsistent with pressing the city to permit building on a non-conforming lot on beach side. In other words, what is good for you when she tells you so might not be good for her and her husband. Last, there is an effort now to fudge the issue as just how restrictive the draconian ordinance on beach reconstruction is in the ordinance. It prohibits reconstructing any condominium damaged over the fourth floor, but she now says you can rebuild once. Not in Her Ordinance!
Your choice in this election has become clear. Do you want to paint your house the color of your choice, or do you want the government to tell you what color you may use? Do you want the wages and pensions of union employees reviewed, or do you believe they are appropriate and there is nothing to review? Do you want the subsidies to City business limited, or you do not? Do you want a business investment environment and tourism, or do not? The mayoral race is unlike Zone 3, where Commissioner Hathaway is a fiscal conservative, that some would say has a spotty voting record, and one of his opponents who claims to be a fiscal conservative has no past record. The other Zone 3 candidate wants to tell you to get a permit if you want to paint your house. In the mayoral race Mayor Vandergrifft is the moderate, particularly in government intrusion into your life, and his opponent has a view, which is more radical concerning government control. Attacking the Mayor on his previous foibles masks the true nature of the election. Printing stories about Mackay's personal life would do the same. Do not let that happen. Make this an election of issues and the City's future, or decide on who decides what color to paint your house.
THE FOLLOWING ARTICLE WAS SUBMITTED BY BILL DENMARK. YOU MAY HAVE SEEN IT IN THE ISLANDER MAGAZINE.
Homeowners - Who’s in your wallet?
by W.C. Denmark
Stealing an advertising headline is mundane. I like the way I’ve twisted it to my purpose and doubt Capital One will have legal grounds or interest in punishing me financially. They will not suffer any loss of dare I say, capital?
However, recent increases in taxation are causing financial losses. Florida homeowners are being punished by government’s inability to stop spending. It has to be bad when a governor uses tax reduction as a plank to get elected and then stays on track. Republican, Charlie Crist seems hell bent to keep his promise.
Much to the chagrin of a favored group of residents Mr. Crist has asked for 2.8 million dollars in cuts from our city fathers. To the horror of property owners, city representatives actually went to Tallahassee to protest forced tax reductions. If news reports are correct there was a long line of public servants, special interest groups and union representatives throwing temper tantrums on the steps of our state capitol.
Everyone has got a finger in the homeowner’s pie. This has created a real problem. Many are stuck in homesteaded houses despite their desire to change. Old folks take a beating if they down size and young families must sell a child on EBay to afford a bigger home. Second homes are even worse off. Taxes are killing the market so goes our economy.
Every dollar we pay in taxes goes into the proverbial strongbox and is given to someone else by a politician. Not paying attention to these folks allows this terrible trend to continue unabated. In New Smyrna Beach, only 4400 votes dictated where our tax money went.
I don’t think government should be in business. As I cross the fifties, my life lessons reinforce this belief. Here is an example. New Smyrna Beach recently spent 3.3 million tax dollars renovating their municipal golf course. As a non-golfing tax payer, I am not happy about this. Why are we literally forced to support 688 members of an unsuccessful golf course? I will bet you dinner we never get our money back.
Nationwide golf rounds are flat. New golfers are replaced by dying duffers and quitter’s equally. In areas like ours where new courses are being built individual course rounds are declining. When the new course on SR 44 opens I predict we will be forced to fund more of NSB Municipal Golf Course. At least one other course is scheduled for construction on 44. Management at the course can not force more people to play. In season, they can do almost 300 rounds and then daylight runs out. In summer, they might do 60 to 75 rounds a day because every fairway is a sweltering inferno. If they lower prices, it will only increase wear not cash. Sorry city fathers that dog won’t hunt.
No one ever mentions return on tax funded investments to my satisfaction. In the real world investments show a return or you get rid of them. If you have a property worth five million dollars, you would expect at least a 5% return would you not? When gasoline prices spiked recently everyone hated oil companies for making a mere 11% profit. This particular city business should be paying us $250,000 or more.
If you or I would invest three million three hundred thousand dollars in an existing business we would expect it to increase in value. Appraisers would consider property sold recently, replacement cost and most importantly income. Income multiplied out by ten years will be the single most important factor in setting a sale price for our investment. Since renovation, there has been no increase in rounds played. No increase in rounds means zero increase in value. In fact, News Journal reported play dropped down so low our city had to kick in an additional $249,000 this year. We just threw 3.549 million dollars in tax money down the drain by any investment standard. Those 688 members and city golf course employees must vote early and often. How about you?
Sugar Mill Country Club finished a 3.8 million dollar renovation in 2006 and got 27 holes done with new tee boxes and greens, moved several bunkers, tiff eagle turf, a fitness center built including the equipment, and complete renovation of the Clubhouse (walls removed, new ceilings, skylights, flooring, carpet, tables and chairs for 350 people and built in touch of a button audio/visual equipment. The city course renovation, not so much.
While tax dollars fund the muni-favored 688’s hobby and prop up values of a few homes other golf courses are held hostage. Tax payers, property owners, and employees are forced into competition with their own money. Turnbull Bay Golf Course, Hidden Lakes, Sugar Mill Country Club, and soon the Venetian are subsidizing their own competition. This happens only because this city is permitted award our money to a few favored citizens. The rest of us pay and pay. Have you voted for this? Perhaps you should hit the polls next chance you get.
What more proof do you need that the city should not be in business with our money? Don’t make me talk about fiber optics! On page 114 of the NSB city website, they project possible 08 payroll of $919,110 for the muni. Turnbull Bay and Hidden Lakes Golf Course both report their payrolls well under $400,000. Isn’t that interesting? The course offering the lowest prices has the highest payroll. Is it a way to run a business or a way to reward your buddies? Private operators can run two golf courses for less than one city course.
If the city were truly interested in providing tax relief and showing a return on investment, they would sell many of their good old boys hobby shops. The golf course, marina, Chamber of Commerce building and the Women’s Club come to mind.
As a marketing guy, I know that if you have read this far your interested in my ramblings. Some readers will be furious and some hopefully you, will be looking at government in business from a new perspective. So throwing caution to the wind, I’ll make this even more aggravating.
New Smyrna Beach municipal golf course should be sold. Let’s get outside the box. The property is probably 120 to 140 acres. As a golf course, its sale will return five million dollars give or take a million. However, as an affordable housing site it is zoned for about 1400 units. A property where you could build 1400 units is worth about $15,000 per unit or $21,000,000 as raw land. Impact fees and charges for a project like this would add another $3,000,000 to the income for a total of twenty four million dollars up front.
If we stick with affordable housing and really provide a service to people, homes could be sold in the $150,000 range. Nice homes for nice people and an overall tax reduction for you. Many city commission meetings look for a way to do just that. If we did it at the municipal, we would add another million dollars net in taxes to our coffers every year.
Clearly, this example casts doubt on the need for heavy taxes. There are many others. Property owners in Volusia County need a break. We should sell off every boondoggle and good old boy clubhouse in town. I don’t golf, keep a boat at the marina or ride in a $300,000 pontoon boat. Do you? It matters not, money is flying out of your wallet into these, and other pet projects at city hall.
To their credit, Mayor Vandergrift and Commissioner Hathaway have asked for a 10% spending cut. Others on our council are crying the sky is falling and drag their heels. Some have spoken about cuts in police officers working our streets others have talked about meals on wheels. This will never get fixed unless we make them act responsibly.
Simply stated you need to vote. Many voters pay no taxes. Some can even vote to get pay raises despite high wages or dismal performance. The economy is driven by homeowners and their money. If you’re happy with a politician’s use of your money tell him or her to keep it. If you’re like many disgusted at pandering, favoritism hikes in taxes and utilities you need to tell them to make changes or vote for someone else.
Start paying attention. Look up wages and benefits for city employees. Some have had more than 100% increases in the past few years. If you’re mad about taxes understand it’s your fault they are so high. Purchases and projects have escalated with increases in tax revenue.
Perhaps you don’t want changes and support government in business. There are lots of people who have had it with waste and excess. All of my figures are subject to adjustment and manipulation but even if I’m off by 50% and I honestly don’t think I’m off 15% in any direction but at 50% this situation should be unacceptable.
Homeowners are carrying the state. If you are one or involved in construction or retail trades its time you get busy. Go online tonight find out who really is in your wallet. Make darn sure you vote – they always do.
Contact everybody!
The Florida House of Representatives web address is http://www.myfloridahouse.gov . Volusia County is http://www.volusia.org/
Orange County http://www.orangecountyfl.net
Seminole http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/
Florida Senate http://www.flsenate.gov
Axe the Tax http://www.axthetax.org
Volusia Tax Reform www.volusiataxreform.com
City of New Smyrna Beach http://www.cityofnsb.com and
The Shadow http://www.nsbshadow.com
W2 Link Now Works!
