This newsletter is about the Hickory City Council meeting that I attended this past week. City council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each Month in the Council Chambers of the Julian Whitener building.
At the bottom right of this page under main information links is a Hickory's Local Government link. If you click on that link, it takes you to our city’s website, at the bottom of the page you will see the future dates for meetings scheduled for this year.
At the top of the page, if you click on the “Documents” link, you will find historic Agenda and Minutes links. Agendas show what is on the docket for the meeting of that date. The Minutes is an actual summary of the proceedings of the meeting of that date.
Here is a summary of the agenda of the 12/2/2008 meeting. There were a couple of important items that were discussed at this meeting and the details are listed further below.
Invocation by one of the Reverends from the Frye Medical Center
Consent Agenda:
Social Items - Request From the Hickory Downtown Development Association for the Use of Union Square for “Hickory Hops 2009” on April 18, 2009 From 8am to 11:00pm. Proclamation Declaring November 18, 2008 as “Charles D. Dixon Day” in the City of Hickory. Transfer of 2 Cemetery Lots in Oakwood Cemetery From Norma Luther Groteluschen. Appropriate $54,276 from the Transportation Fund to Catawba County for the remaining Human Services Equity.
Business Items - Accept Grant from the U.S. Department of Justice in the Amount of $3,272.50 (to assist in buying 11 Bullet Proof Vests - 50% reimbursement). Approved Property Tax Refund to First Citizens Bank Leasing Department in the Amount of $1,043.72. Approved Neighborhood Stabilization Program Letter of Intent to NC Department of Community Assistance for HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Funds – Should the city receive this funding, the area identified for use of funds is the Ridgeview Community in SW Hickory as identified by Habitat’s Neighborhood plan for this area. The amount requested is $527,696.
Approved Certificate for Royal Cab to Operate One Taxicab. Approved purchase of property from Geraldine Shuford and Joyce Brown located at 745 3rd Street Place SW in the Amount of $48,500.00. Approved Change Order #1 to Beam Grading and Construction, Inc. for the Construction of the Blue Sky Court Habitat Subdivision Water and Sewer Project in the Amount of $803.88. Approved Purchase Contract with MA/COM Incorporated to Upgrade the City of Hickory’s Radio System addressed at the 11/18/2008 City Council Meeting.
Budget Ordinance Ammendments- Budget a $4,000 Library donation for the 2009 Big Read Program. Budget $587 of Miscellaneous Insurance Claims for damage to a gate at the Hickory Airport. Budget $250 of Airport property rental revenue toward the purchase of new tables. Accept a $1,000 Ridgeview Recreation Council donation from Tenet Health Care and budget.
Transfer $1,812 from the General Fund to pay taxes owed on the Terry Miller property purchased by the City in FY07-08. Transfer $11,000 from the Street Division Construction Materials line item to pay invoices. Appropriate $3,649 of Fire Dept-Catawba Reimbursement Funds to the Hickory Rural Fire Dept Departmental Supplies line item. Transfer $6,087 from the General Fund and $231 of Water and Sewer Fund to pay the Employment Security Commission invoice.
Transfer $41,639 from the General Fund to pay costs associated with a penalty against the Solid Waste Transfer Station from the North Carolina Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Transfer $8,750 of General Fund needed to pay N.C. Realty for the costs of right of way negotiations for 16 properties located on 35th Ave. Ln. NE that are petitioning for curb and gutter. Transfer $500 from Engineering Seminar Registration Fees and $275 from Training Meals and Lodging to cover the Stormwater Engineers travel expenditures for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Police Department: Transfer $27,555 from the General Fund appropriated to the “Governor's Crime Commission Gang” of One two-year Grant Project- this will pay 25% with the state kicking in the other 75%. Appropriate $1,131 toward Officers time spent when accompanying involuntary commitment patients. Appropriate $95,402 from the General Fund to provide funds to enhance and bring current licensed applications to personnel in the field to enhance work performance and provide better service.
Infrastructure: Transfer $57,650 from the General Fund Appropriated to the Grace Chapel/US 321 Connector Road Project. The total contract is $115,300 with a 50/50 shared cost with Caldwell County. To budget a total of $1,542,685 ($250,000 Appropriated from the General Fund, $250,000 appropriated from the Water and Sewer Fund , and $1,042,685 Proceeds from Financing) for the Police Department's new M/A Com System Equipment expenditure. This system was discussed and approved at the last City Council Meeting.
Informational Items:
Mayor Wright’s Travel to Orlando, FL from November 10 – 16, 2008 to attend the 2008 NLC – Congress of Cities & Exposition cost totaled $979.50. Mayor Wright’s Travel From Orlando, FL to Hickory, NC and Return to Orlando, FL on November 13 & 14, 2008 to attend the Economic Development Announcement of the MDI, Inc. Expansion – airfare cost was $624.50 (This flight was cancelled and the flight voucher will be used on a later flight)
New Business - Public Hearings:
1. Voluntary Non-Contiguous Annexation of the Property of Brian and Tammy Frazier Located at 2713 24th Street Court, NE
2. Proposed Ordinance Amendment to the Hickory City Code Chapter 18, “Motor Vehicles and Traffic”, Section 18-183 – “Pre-towing Notice; Appeal; Removal Without Notice”
The proposed changes shall read: If the owner or person entitled to possession of the vehicle does not remove the vehicle, but chooses to appeal the determination that the vehicle is an abandoned or nuisance vehicle, such appeal shall be made to the Chief of Police or his or her designee in writing. Such an appeal must be made within ten days following receipt of notice of such action and shall be filed with the police department. During the appeal, further proceedings to remove the vehicle shall be stayed until the appeal is heard and decided. Further, a new provision is to be added, to read: Upon failure of the vehicle owner or person entitled to possession to appeal within the prescribed time, the determination that the vehicle is an abandoned or nuisance vehicle shall be considered final. These changes will enable the Hickory Police Department Code Enforcement Unit to resolve citizen complaints of junked and nuisance motor vehicles in a more timely manner, while affording the vehicle owners an appeal process.
3. Proposed Ordinance Amendment to the Hickory City Code Chapter 20, “Nuisances”, Section 20-3 – “Investigation; Notice of Abatement” and Section 20-4 “Removal by City”
Currently the due process procedures authorize the City Manager, upon learning of alleged public nuisance conditions, to investigate the alleged conditions through a code enforcement officer. Upon receipt of the officer’s report, the City Manager holds a hearing to determine whether there is a nuisance. Under the proposed amendment, the Chief of Police (or his or her designee) would direct the investigation and conduct the hearing. Chapter 20, Article 1, Section 20-4 of the Hickory City Code states that after fifteen (15) days of an order to abate a nuisance has been received, the City Manager may cause such condition to be removed or otherwise remedied by having employees of the City go upon such premises and remove or otherwise abate such nuisance under the supervision of an officer or employee designated by the City Manger. Under the proposed amendment, the Chief of Police or his or her designee would direct the removal of a nuisance instead of the City Manager. The proposed amendments would make the investigation, hearing process and possible abatement of nuisances by the City more efficient for those persons cited for maintaining the conditions as well as for the Code Enforcement officers involved in the cases.
The Hounds View: We need an Ombudsman to look out for the rights of the citizens. This should be an elected official that will resolve complaints such as these nuisance issues. I have no doubt that Chief Adkins is an alright guy; but this centers too much power in his hands, it centered too much power in City Manager Berry's hands, and the city shouldn't be involved in such trifling matters unless it is a last resort.
The prophet side of me can see more petty neighbor disputes now being sanctioned by our city, because when neighbors get mad at one another they will be looking to call the city over picky and petty alleged nuisance issues. Eventually we will see a few situations of assault or worse brought about by getting the police involved in these matters. Why can't we have neighbor and neighborhood civility anymore?
4. Approval of the Economic Incentive Development Agreement with Merchants Distributors, Inc
MDI is requesting economic development incentives from the City of Hickory in the form of a property tax grant for machinery and equipment, totaling approximately $1.89 million over a ten year period for an investment of approximately $50.5 million and 200 jobs with an average annual wage of $51,000. These economic incentive grants will be used in the expansion of their Hickory distribution facility and would be 75% of the real and business personal property taxes with the maximum annual amount totaling $189,375 a year for ten years for a business personal property and property tax grant upon implementation of the expansion. Caldwell County has agreed to a similar incentive package of 75% for twelve years and the State of North Carolina has awarded MDI with a Job Development Incentive Grant for the 200 jobs. This project meets and exceeds the minimum requirements of the City of Hickory Economic Development Assistance Guidelines.
Ms. Surratt said there was a 180 job guarantee over 5 years. If they haven't met this target after 5 years, then the incentive amount will be reduced on a sliding scale based upon the jobs created.
The Hound on Economics : This deal looks good on the surface and it had to be made, but let's not pretend that there are any guarantees here in these trying economic times. The company has a lot to lose if this deal goes south. Thank goodness MDI is taking a chance.
As far as the PR points, I am getting a little sick of seeing exaggerated numbers. We all know that these are not $51,000 jobs. It is alright to say that they are going to pay $12 to $20 an hour. The other part of that money encompasses benefits (Insurance, 401k contributions, etc) and FICA. Very few of these jobs will be $50,000+ jobs.
Just tell the truth and say, "the average person is going to make about $30,ooo from one of these jobs." I think that is great and substantial and anyone would be happy with that kind of job.
Hound Economics 101 : We are going to need more progress like this. The averages say that this deal will create 40 jobs in 2009. That is a thin drop in a deep bucket. Unemployment numbers were released yesterday, Catawba County has an 8.3% unemployment rate. We have 75,518 people in the Catawba County Workforce presently and 6,265 people are currently filing for unemployment. To get back to 5% unemployment we have to find a net-plus of 2,489 more jobs.
Yesterday on the radio the Mayor said we have created 1,400 jobs this year. That's great, but it is obvious that we have lost alot more than we have gained. Some of these numbers get fuzzy because Hickory's numbers have gotten tangled with other counties, but we will look at Catawba County's numbers.
The Unemployment rate was 6.1% in January and now it is 8.3%. Look at this:
75,241x .061 = 4,590 people Unemployed in January
75,518 x .083 = 6,265 people Unemployed in October
That means that we are a net-minus of 1,675 jobs through the first 10 months of this year. The Mayor wasn't clear on his 1,400 jobs created number, but if he was saying Catawba County, then that means we lost 3,075 jobs in the first 10 months this year. (12/5/2008 - edited to represent numbers posted by the St. Louis Fed)
The Unemployment Numbers should hold the line the next few months, because of the Holiday Retail Season. This temporary retail help will be laid off at the end of December and with the upcoming minimum wage increases, in my opinion we are going to see a sharp spike in Unemployment rates. I will be shocked if we aren't seeing 10% Unemployment numbers for January, which will be reported around March 1, 2009.
It's going to be a bumpy ride. Should we throw our hands up in the air and play the blame game or should we roll up our sleeves and get to work. What I am saying is that we need to be prepared when things turn around. That is how we will get ahead of the curve. We are 1.3% worse than the State and 1.8% worse than the Federal Average. Wouldn't it be nice to be on the other side of those averages.
Maybe if we start preparing and planning better, then we will be in a better position the next time it rains.
Link to Unemployment Numbers Spreadsheet: (edited to reflect St Louis Fed numbers)
http://hickoryhound.googlegroups.com/web/Hickory%20Unemployment%204%20-%202k81205%20%283%29.xls?gsc=lRstiRYAAACXheNNPHSOOIV70lhVRyEK57an5Fe8QJeePd7zpGv9tg
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Innovative Idea about the Future Leadership of our City
HickoryHumans.com, a local website about local happenings in our area, had a lot of coverage about this year's congressional race between Patrick McHenry and Daniel Johnson. It was excellent coverage that was very objective and didn't demonize either candidate. I learned about HickoryHumans when they endorsed the Hound, because of our coverage of local government meetings.
Perusing their website last night I came upon this article (http://hickoryhumans.com/?p=61). They suggest the possibility of Daniel Johnson being an option as Mayor of Hickory. I have to say, that I think this is a novel idea and after careful consideration I completely understand the logic. Daniel Johnson meets many of the criteria that this city needs.
I'm sure that the ones of you that have read much of this website will realize that I am thoroughly frustrated by our city's lack of direction. The proof is in the pudding, since 2001 our city's economy in general has been in a malaise. We used to have a business environment that was ahead of the curve and had better than average employment numbers. Now we have leadership that constantly plays the blame game with no apparent strategy for success.
I totally agree with what the article says about citizen involvement. That is one of the major objectives of the Hickory Hound. That encompasses alot more than talking a good game, schmoozing with the established media, and an overindulgence in building a foundation of PR tools. It means building one-on-one relations with the citizenry and having them know that you are taking an interest in the entire community's general well-being.
Why are the squeaky wheels always getting the grease. It hasn't been done for the "greater good" of Hickory as a whole. It wreaks of the buddy system. I think that is what has caused the ambivalence in our city that has led to the lack of participation in civic endeavors. Because the average Joe isn't an insider, so their opinion isn't going to be taken into consideration by the "Powers That Be." I hang out with average Joes and that is truly how the majority of them feel.
I think we do have some good leaders in this community. Brad Lail has been an excellent leader in this community. He has been a friend of mine for nearly 30 years. I can tell you that he always goes out of his way to represent all of the people. He definitely doesn't do this because he has to. He does this because he is a leader. He was the Class President at Newton-Conover in 1984 and he has always represented all of his constituents. I agree with him 80%+ of the time. When I don't, I respect what he has to say, because I know that there is a logical thought process behind it.
Bruce Meisner has had an excellent reputation as Councilman for years. He knows the ins and outs of that bench and he has always touted a pro-growth agenda. I have never had a personal conversation with him, but he seems to have a very congenial personality and he is highly regarded by many in Hickory's business community. I have heard alot of people say that he would make a good Mayor.
John Watts was a very good community leader. The man has vision. He was railroaded out of his City Council position, because he had common sense. He was said to be someone that didn't listen to the people's will. I have read what he said during the Lowe's Home Improvemnt debacle. Everything he said during that time has come to fruition and everything the "No Lowe's Near Schools" crowd said can now be construed as foolhardy. I have spoken with the man. Even with the hateful overtones of rhetoric that were heaped upon him four years ago, he still loves this city and wants it to succeed.
I hope that Daniel Johnson will stick around Hickory and become involved in our local affairs. The man definitely showed the moxie of a go-getter during this past campaign. I talked with his brother Will for 2 hours on election day. I'm a Republican, but listening to Will speak gave me a true understanding of what a Conservative Democrat is all about. I haven't had a chance to speak with Daniel, but I hope that I will soon have that opportunity. I think Daniel defintely has alot to offer our city.
I truly mean none of this as a slight to Mayor Wright. He is the leader of our city. The Hound is here to build up this city, not tear it down. We aren't just out here lobbing bombs. The Objectives of the Hound are truly that -- nothing more, nothing less. The Mayor will defintely have his opportunity to promote (and/or defend) his record and agenda. And he will have that opportunity from his Bully Pulpit. He is the Champ and whomever the challenger is; they are going to have to give the public a compelling argument to unseat him.
If there are any other names of individuals that you think might make a good leader, then by all means throw them into the arena. They may choose to run or not, but it is now 11 months until our next Mayoral race. With all that is going on in the world, it is going to be imperative that we make a good choice. So let us know what you think.
Perusing their website last night I came upon this article (http://hickoryhumans.com/?p=61). They suggest the possibility of Daniel Johnson being an option as Mayor of Hickory. I have to say, that I think this is a novel idea and after careful consideration I completely understand the logic. Daniel Johnson meets many of the criteria that this city needs.
I'm sure that the ones of you that have read much of this website will realize that I am thoroughly frustrated by our city's lack of direction. The proof is in the pudding, since 2001 our city's economy in general has been in a malaise. We used to have a business environment that was ahead of the curve and had better than average employment numbers. Now we have leadership that constantly plays the blame game with no apparent strategy for success.
I totally agree with what the article says about citizen involvement. That is one of the major objectives of the Hickory Hound. That encompasses alot more than talking a good game, schmoozing with the established media, and an overindulgence in building a foundation of PR tools. It means building one-on-one relations with the citizenry and having them know that you are taking an interest in the entire community's general well-being.
Why are the squeaky wheels always getting the grease. It hasn't been done for the "greater good" of Hickory as a whole. It wreaks of the buddy system. I think that is what has caused the ambivalence in our city that has led to the lack of participation in civic endeavors. Because the average Joe isn't an insider, so their opinion isn't going to be taken into consideration by the "Powers That Be." I hang out with average Joes and that is truly how the majority of them feel.
I think we do have some good leaders in this community. Brad Lail has been an excellent leader in this community. He has been a friend of mine for nearly 30 years. I can tell you that he always goes out of his way to represent all of the people. He definitely doesn't do this because he has to. He does this because he is a leader. He was the Class President at Newton-Conover in 1984 and he has always represented all of his constituents. I agree with him 80%+ of the time. When I don't, I respect what he has to say, because I know that there is a logical thought process behind it.
Bruce Meisner has had an excellent reputation as Councilman for years. He knows the ins and outs of that bench and he has always touted a pro-growth agenda. I have never had a personal conversation with him, but he seems to have a very congenial personality and he is highly regarded by many in Hickory's business community. I have heard alot of people say that he would make a good Mayor.
John Watts was a very good community leader. The man has vision. He was railroaded out of his City Council position, because he had common sense. He was said to be someone that didn't listen to the people's will. I have read what he said during the Lowe's Home Improvemnt debacle. Everything he said during that time has come to fruition and everything the "No Lowe's Near Schools" crowd said can now be construed as foolhardy. I have spoken with the man. Even with the hateful overtones of rhetoric that were heaped upon him four years ago, he still loves this city and wants it to succeed.
I hope that Daniel Johnson will stick around Hickory and become involved in our local affairs. The man definitely showed the moxie of a go-getter during this past campaign. I talked with his brother Will for 2 hours on election day. I'm a Republican, but listening to Will speak gave me a true understanding of what a Conservative Democrat is all about. I haven't had a chance to speak with Daniel, but I hope that I will soon have that opportunity. I think Daniel defintely has alot to offer our city.
I truly mean none of this as a slight to Mayor Wright. He is the leader of our city. The Hound is here to build up this city, not tear it down. We aren't just out here lobbing bombs. The Objectives of the Hound are truly that -- nothing more, nothing less. The Mayor will defintely have his opportunity to promote (and/or defend) his record and agenda. And he will have that opportunity from his Bully Pulpit. He is the Champ and whomever the challenger is; they are going to have to give the public a compelling argument to unseat him.
If there are any other names of individuals that you think might make a good leader, then by all means throw them into the arena. They may choose to run or not, but it is now 11 months until our next Mayoral race. With all that is going on in the world, it is going to be imperative that we make a good choice. So let us know what you think.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Tax Money Spent on Downtown Interests from 2002 to Present
Here is a link of investments made by the City of Hickory in "Downtown Hickory" since 2002.
I got these numbers by reading the minutes of City Council meetings published online. These grants were approved in the consent agenda or directly approved by vote during City Council meetings.
By looking at the numbers, we can see that the vast majority of these grants and studies were done for the benefit of the area in the immediate vicinity of Union Square. 41 of 47 of these grants (87.2%) have been made within 4 blocks of the geographic center of the city.
55.3% of the total number of downtown grants were awarded to these City Center Private Businesses and the dollar amount totaled 23.3% of all downtown grants. The use of these grants included; replacing doors and/or windows, renovating facades, demolition, replacing awnings, landscaping, parking, and painting.
There has also been hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been directly allocated to the Hickory Downtown Development Association.
In the Hounds Opinion :
These numbers show a lack of singular purpose. It seems that people are just flailing away in the dark trying to make downtown work, but the equation just doesn't make sense. Come on, this darkness is self-imposed. Everyone that has lived here for the last 20 years knows what the problems are. We don't need more studies. Consultants have told city officials what needs to be done and it has been conveniently ignored, because it doesn't fit certain people's agenda.
An example? Consultants said that we needed more 4 hour parking downtown in 2002 (council meeting of June 16, 2002) and yet it was insignificantly addressed at the time. Guess what? It was reintroduced in the Catawba Valley Neighbor's article a month ago. The vast majority of the time it wouldn't matter if you allowed people to have extended parking times. Someone down there doesn't realize that having customers (and not running them off) is important to having a viable commercial area.
The tenants want Valley Hills Mall type revenues, but they want the bargain basement lease rates that they pay to operate on and around Union Square. They would never stand for paying half of what Valley Hills Mall tenants pay. Here in lies one of the major issues, because low rent equals low profit for property owners and thus low reinvestment in that property. You don't get something for nothing; cheap begets cheap.
A successful major retail anchor tenant would necessitate a complete change in the existing infrastructure (and philosophy) of the downtown area. Having more customers would lead to more revenues, but it would also mean more traffic on existing downtown streets and surrounding neighborhoods.. Would the Oakwood neighborhood stand for this?
It is my opinion, that the current cabal that runs downtown would not stand for a more robust downtown area and the traffic that would bring. These are the same people that so adamently opposed Lowe's Home Improvement on Hwy 127 and they did everything in their power to stifle the progress of the 127 corridor. Look at the minutes of the City Council meeting on November 16, 2004. The people that were opposed to that development are the same people that are heavily involved in the Hickory Downtown Development Association. No wonder our downtown is such a mess!
It is our opinion that these grants to private entities need to end. What is the citizenry getting out of this commercial welfare? For one of these $5,000 grants, the city could be obtaining close to $100,000 in funding, by using that money to pay for interest on the issuance of bonds. That would be more beneficial to our city. Grant money should be going towards creating commerce (and jobs), not towards beautification projects that create nothing. These grants are arbitrary and thus unfair. If the city is going to give certain businesses $5,000 for renovation, then they should give every business $5,000 for renovation.
The Hound's braintrust have some ideas on how to give downtown a new purpose, but we aren't going to propose these ideas yet, because we feel that people with a vested interest in downtown's current circumstances will not allow this vision to be properly vetted. Hickoryites are going to have to say, "No More!"
Union Square may be the geographic city center of old Hickory and historically it deserves to have a purpose, but we all know that it is no longer the economic center of this city. We don't need to force a square peg into a round hole by needlessly trying to return to the days of yesteryear. Nostalgia is great to dream of, but it becomes a burden on our economy by trying to implement a 1960s mentality into a 2010 world.
It is time that we move forward. There are issues in this city that have needed to be addressed for years. It is time to start developing the city as a whole. It is time to quit neglecting the rest of Hickory just to humor a few merchants in downtown Hickory. It isn't fair, it isn't just, and it isn't right.
I got these numbers by reading the minutes of City Council meetings published online. These grants were approved in the consent agenda or directly approved by vote during City Council meetings.
By looking at the numbers, we can see that the vast majority of these grants and studies were done for the benefit of the area in the immediate vicinity of Union Square. 41 of 47 of these grants (87.2%) have been made within 4 blocks of the geographic center of the city.
55.3% of the total number of downtown grants were awarded to these City Center Private Businesses and the dollar amount totaled 23.3% of all downtown grants. The use of these grants included; replacing doors and/or windows, renovating facades, demolition, replacing awnings, landscaping, parking, and painting.
There has also been hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been directly allocated to the Hickory Downtown Development Association.
In the Hounds Opinion :
These numbers show a lack of singular purpose. It seems that people are just flailing away in the dark trying to make downtown work, but the equation just doesn't make sense. Come on, this darkness is self-imposed. Everyone that has lived here for the last 20 years knows what the problems are. We don't need more studies. Consultants have told city officials what needs to be done and it has been conveniently ignored, because it doesn't fit certain people's agenda.
An example? Consultants said that we needed more 4 hour parking downtown in 2002 (council meeting of June 16, 2002) and yet it was insignificantly addressed at the time. Guess what? It was reintroduced in the Catawba Valley Neighbor's article a month ago. The vast majority of the time it wouldn't matter if you allowed people to have extended parking times. Someone down there doesn't realize that having customers (and not running them off) is important to having a viable commercial area.
The tenants want Valley Hills Mall type revenues, but they want the bargain basement lease rates that they pay to operate on and around Union Square. They would never stand for paying half of what Valley Hills Mall tenants pay. Here in lies one of the major issues, because low rent equals low profit for property owners and thus low reinvestment in that property. You don't get something for nothing; cheap begets cheap.
A successful major retail anchor tenant would necessitate a complete change in the existing infrastructure (and philosophy) of the downtown area. Having more customers would lead to more revenues, but it would also mean more traffic on existing downtown streets and surrounding neighborhoods.. Would the Oakwood neighborhood stand for this?
It is my opinion, that the current cabal that runs downtown would not stand for a more robust downtown area and the traffic that would bring. These are the same people that so adamently opposed Lowe's Home Improvement on Hwy 127 and they did everything in their power to stifle the progress of the 127 corridor. Look at the minutes of the City Council meeting on November 16, 2004. The people that were opposed to that development are the same people that are heavily involved in the Hickory Downtown Development Association. No wonder our downtown is such a mess!
It is our opinion that these grants to private entities need to end. What is the citizenry getting out of this commercial welfare? For one of these $5,000 grants, the city could be obtaining close to $100,000 in funding, by using that money to pay for interest on the issuance of bonds. That would be more beneficial to our city. Grant money should be going towards creating commerce (and jobs), not towards beautification projects that create nothing. These grants are arbitrary and thus unfair. If the city is going to give certain businesses $5,000 for renovation, then they should give every business $5,000 for renovation.
The Hound's braintrust have some ideas on how to give downtown a new purpose, but we aren't going to propose these ideas yet, because we feel that people with a vested interest in downtown's current circumstances will not allow this vision to be properly vetted. Hickoryites are going to have to say, "No More!"
Union Square may be the geographic city center of old Hickory and historically it deserves to have a purpose, but we all know that it is no longer the economic center of this city. We don't need to force a square peg into a round hole by needlessly trying to return to the days of yesteryear. Nostalgia is great to dream of, but it becomes a burden on our economy by trying to implement a 1960s mentality into a 2010 world.
It is time that we move forward. There are issues in this city that have needed to be addressed for years. It is time to start developing the city as a whole. It is time to quit neglecting the rest of Hickory just to humor a few merchants in downtown Hickory. It isn't fair, it isn't just, and it isn't right.
Monday, November 24, 2008
From the Sublime to the Ridiculous - Fed Pledges Top $7.4 Trillion to Ease Frozen Credit
From Bloomberg - Fed Pledges Top $7.4 Trillion to Ease Frozen Credit
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=arEE1iClqDrk&refer=home
We cannot guarantee our way out of this economic mess! We cannot spend our way out of this economic mess! Bailout of Banks! Bailout of Insurance! Bailout of Investment Companies! Bailout of Deliquent Mortgages! What's Next? Who's Next? When does this stop? Where does this stop?
Harry Hipps has it exactly right in this article, http://commonsenseandclearthinking.blogspot.com/2008/11/keynes-ghost.html. This is Keynesian Economics on steroids. Franklin Roosevelt's schemes were a result of the tooling of John Maynard Keynes' socialist policies. We are revisiting that era. Roosevelt's policies did not get us out of the depression, they extended it.
It isn't time to spend. It is time to take a chainsaw to government spending. I think that most people realize this, but we weren't presented with that option during the past election. When you are in financial trouble, do you keep spending money? Are you presented that option?
Government can turn our money into Monopoly Money and enforce a confiscatory tax structure. We will now pay the price for the government's willing failure to understand Common Sense Economic Principles. Let's hope we can recover some day.
http://bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601109&sid=arEE1iClqDrk&refer=home
We cannot guarantee our way out of this economic mess! We cannot spend our way out of this economic mess! Bailout of Banks! Bailout of Insurance! Bailout of Investment Companies! Bailout of Deliquent Mortgages! What's Next? Who's Next? When does this stop? Where does this stop?
Harry Hipps has it exactly right in this article, http://commonsenseandclearthinking.blogspot.com/2008/11/keynes-ghost.html. This is Keynesian Economics on steroids. Franklin Roosevelt's schemes were a result of the tooling of John Maynard Keynes' socialist policies. We are revisiting that era. Roosevelt's policies did not get us out of the depression, they extended it.
It isn't time to spend. It is time to take a chainsaw to government spending. I think that most people realize this, but we weren't presented with that option during the past election. When you are in financial trouble, do you keep spending money? Are you presented that option?
Government can turn our money into Monopoly Money and enforce a confiscatory tax structure. We will now pay the price for the government's willing failure to understand Common Sense Economic Principles. Let's hope we can recover some day.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
TIME TO CHANGE WEAK ETHICS RULE by Harry Hipps
It's time to change the city ordinance to make a clear statement on ethics.
Article II - Council Division 1 - Generally Sec 2 - 62 says:
Every member must vote unless excused by the remaining members. No member shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of his own financial interest or official conduct or other conflict of interest. A MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE EXCUSED FROM VOTING SHALL SO INFORM THE MAYOR, WHO SHALL TAKE A VOTE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS.
Now, what the heck is this? The section I printed in caps seems to suggest that if you don't want to vote when you have a conflict of interest the council can vote and you don't have to . But if you don't want to inform the mayor of your conflict of interest you don't have to and you can vote for your personal interest. What kind of ethics is this? If there is a conflict it is unethical and possibly illegal to vote. The code should be changed to read: A MEMBER WHO HAS SUCH A CONFLICT MUST INFORM THE MAYOR WHO WILL INFORM THE COUNCIL THAT THE MEMBER WILL NOT BE VOTING. There should also be sanctions including expulsion from the council if a member does not disclose a conflict of interest.
Let's say, hypothetically, that Sally Fox voted for city money to be used to promote downtown Hickory merchants (and thereby her personal retail business as well). Would we want to accept the City funds being used to line her pockets? What about all the other retailers in Hickory that would like to have the City's money promoting them? Obviously, the use of City money for personal gain would be unethical.
It's time to take ethics seriously. The level of anger and cynicism towards government is growing and is unhealthy for our democracy. Let's change this statute and run a cleaner City government.
Article II - Council Division 1 - Generally Sec 2 - 62 says:
Every member must vote unless excused by the remaining members. No member shall be excused from voting except on matters involving the consideration of his own financial interest or official conduct or other conflict of interest. A MEMBER WHO WISHES TO BE EXCUSED FROM VOTING SHALL SO INFORM THE MAYOR, WHO SHALL TAKE A VOTE OF THE REMAINING MEMBERS.
Now, what the heck is this? The section I printed in caps seems to suggest that if you don't want to vote when you have a conflict of interest the council can vote and you don't have to . But if you don't want to inform the mayor of your conflict of interest you don't have to and you can vote for your personal interest. What kind of ethics is this? If there is a conflict it is unethical and possibly illegal to vote. The code should be changed to read: A MEMBER WHO HAS SUCH A CONFLICT MUST INFORM THE MAYOR WHO WILL INFORM THE COUNCIL THAT THE MEMBER WILL NOT BE VOTING. There should also be sanctions including expulsion from the council if a member does not disclose a conflict of interest.
Let's say, hypothetically, that Sally Fox voted for city money to be used to promote downtown Hickory merchants (and thereby her personal retail business as well). Would we want to accept the City funds being used to line her pockets? What about all the other retailers in Hickory that would like to have the City's money promoting them? Obviously, the use of City money for personal gain would be unethical.
It's time to take ethics seriously. The level of anger and cynicism towards government is growing and is unhealthy for our democracy. Let's change this statute and run a cleaner City government.
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