The following contribution was submitted to me today by Pseudonymous Logica, whose name translates to Common Sense.
As with any issue, the Pavilion project currently under construction on Union Square has it’s supporters as well as it’s critics - as it should be. And time will be the ultimate judge.
Whether you agree or disagree with THAT it’s being done, my main concern is HOW it’s being done.
It’s agreed that:
- this is a $285,000+ project (annual maintenance costs must be taken into account)
- no specific vote was taken regarding the appropriation of these funds
- no public hearing was held
- citizen comments/concerns were never heard/considered regarding this issue
Why is all of this important? Some believe that this will be the best thing that’s happened to Union Square in years; that it’s just what downtown needs; that it’s a long overdue addition. While all of this may be true, one FACT that I left out is that:
The Zagaroli's, who own Zagaroli Construction, the company the City awarded the construction rights, filed for BANKRUPTCY in October of 2011.
Back when the Hound first began covering this issue I commented that my suspicion was that this amounted to nothing more than a BAILOUT to a local insider who was experiencing a “slump”.
Is helping out a local company a good thing? Yes, without question. But again, this isn’t a matter of THAT it was done. It’s about HOW it was done. Is Zagaroli the only local business in a slump - no. Yet, this project was rushed through Council with the claim of urgency. What would it have hurt to open this matter to public comment; to have held a public hearing?
It may have come out that Zagaroli had filed for bankruptcy - probably not exactly the news that they would want current clients or potential clients to know about. So, luckily, “friends” with the City were able to circumvent the taxpayers RIGHT TO KNOW, and simply hand Zagaroli this GIFT. Most would agree that it would be nice to have those that were responsible for the construction to be around for any potential future problems that may arise or to carry out the maintenance that will surely be required - but will Zagaroli be around to meet these needs/obligations?
One last thing. This one I can’t quite wrap my head around. From everything I’ve read, seen, and researched on my own, a large component of this Pavilion project is made up of a canvass-type material, an “awning” as the HDR accurately reported. The City/City Council has demonstrated a nearly uncontrollable desire to help out a local business. Does this willingness only extend to Zagaroli? It would certainly appear so. You see, exactly 1 mile away from the construction site (less than 2 minutes by car) is located Annas Awning. The name alone suggests the possibility that it might be interested in contributing to this Pavilion project. It’s location would easily qualify it as a local business. Admittedly, there is the possibility that they could not meet the needs related to this project. But, that my friends, is something we will never know - remember, the public was not invited to participate in the discussion of this very public project.
The Hound: I am sure that I will be attacked for publishing this contribution. It is what this Community does best. I harbor no ill will towards the Zagaroli's. I have quite often shown an appreciation of Pete Zagaroli's vision. One example happened four years ago when I wrote a contribution in the Hickory Daily Record entitled Let Him Build It. In that Article, I point to the City's micromanagement of development in our community and how it has stifled the growth in our community. That micromanagement cuts both ways folks. In layman's terms it means that Hickory City Government is picking winners and losers, instead of allowing the marketplace to do so.
I am sorry that the Zagaroli family is being outed about financial difficulties. I truly do feel for them. We are in a Real Estate Depression and everyone associated with that line of work is feeling the anxiety associated with that sector of the economy. It isn't only the Real Estate sector, we have a lot of families that are suffering as a result of the lack of economic activity in our area. The problem I believe that Pseudonymous has is the same one that I have had for a long, long time and anyone can objectively see it. The Hickory City Government is not consistent and they make the rules up as they go. They put the Cart before the Horse. They determine the outcome before the process has even begun. And a fair question to ask is how much has this cost the citizens of this community?
In the end this project is not going to make or break the Zagaroli's, but it definitely shows manipulation by the City. We saw manipulation of the process related to the Swimming Pool issue and we have seen it with the Airport and we saw it with the City keeping the Cercil Brothers from opening a Club in Downtown. It is my contention that in each of these examples we have seen less than satisfactory objectives, which in my opinion led to less than satisfactory results. The general public doesn't understand how this has affected them, because they are for the most part comatose. But, if you ever wonder why things just don't seem to feel right or add up, then maybe it is time to start challenging the "All of One Mind" ... "Business as Usual" Status Quo scenario that keeps on a keepin' on in Good Ole Hick'Ree.
$285,000+ : Bang for the Buck???
Newsletter about the City Council meeting of December 20, 2011 -- Addendum on Union Square's largest Awning yet - $285,000
No Public Hearing for the Big Tent on Union Square
Hickory Farmer's Market questions the Big Tent on Union Square - March 17, 2012
