A few people who read this blog sent me e-mails about their concerns in regards to the Inspiring Spaces initiative and process, the referendum regarding it, and the taxes necessary to pay back the debts incurred in association with these projects. I list those concerns:
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(1) How can we be certain that the beautification efforts of the three cities in the report was the cause of their turnaround? Just because two things happen at the same time is no sign that one caused the other. What else might these cities have been doing as well that might have contributed to their success, perhaps even more. We need more information that we don’t have.
(2) At the federal level, a period of financial turmoil is right around the corner. Policies at the FED and with the federal government have guaranteed it. Is this the right time to be taking out a large loan, as you said Thom, perhaps borrowing something that cannot be repaid in the future? All the economists that you post, Thom, are urging citizens to pay off all their debts before this hits. Is this the right time to be considering a large loan that will have to be repaid with future taxes?
(3) The bond issue is far too large and far too open-ended for my taste. I have the impression that if it were passed, the Council would be in complete control on how and where it should be spent. It’s not in the same category as a water treatment plant bond that can be repaid with increased income from fees.
(4) In times of lean, I’ve always been taught that this is when you tighten your belt, eliminate the luxuries and concentrate on the necessities. A necessity is street repair because “a stitch in time saves nine” and this investment will save money in the long run. What items on the wish list could be considered things we need now?
(5) I do feel that not raising taxes on the new budget is a political ploy. Everyone understands that the cost of paving material has gone up considerably and most people want to see the higher cost reflected in the budget in a line item that can’t be fudged. I have an aversion to using a rainy day fund if it isn’t raining. If the Council feels that the fund is too large, future contributions should be curtailed instead of “spending it down.”
(6) The public-private partnership going on in Geitner Park is great. We should be encouraging this as much as we can. Every shopper in Hickory understands a 50% off sale!
(7) I like Harry’s (Hipps) comments about education and how it reflects on and influences all the other factors. I would rather see Hickory be known as the “education city” rather than the “city well-crafted.” We should be pulling out all the stops to give our citizens of all ages the education that will prepare them for the 21st Century. Isn’t this one of the important factors in attracting business to an area? The public-private partnership in this area has just begun and should be pushed even harder.
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If the Council establishes credibility on econ development (the good
news is that they now see and acknowledge the problem), the public will
go along with future projects if they make sense. The bottom line is
that there is no rush. Mick Berry pointed out that they are not going to
be done all at once anyway. There is not enough time to fully discuss
the projects with the public by November. And some of the ideas need to
be refocused. If my choice is the full enchilada or nothing, I will vote
no.
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(Hound Note): About City Manager Mick Berry telling people about the surprise of Catawba Valley Boulevard being developed in 1987, by all indications City Manager Berry has never talked to the people responsible for that evolution. How can Manager Berry understand local Real Estate Development, when he hasn't spoken with the developers who made these local projects happen in the past?
City Manager Berry and Assistant City Manager Andrea Surratt are telling people in these "Citizen Briefings" that the Highway 321 Lakefront Park Walkway project is going to be the next Catawba Valley Boulevard. There are many concerns including the 321 bridge being rebuilt, the topography, the rail line, the fact that there are issues with the county lines (Burke and Catawba) and you are going to have to deal with three counties (including Caldwell) on some of these issues. You have a failed drug store, a failed grocery store, and two failed restaurants right there. You also have an issue with the aging population in that immediate vicinity and the marketplace that they provide.
There is also a concern/question about Governmental Employees taking over Real Estate development here in Hickory and deciding upon objectives and priorities. What qualifies them to do that?
