Developers and contractors filed into Town Hall on Monday in support of Langtree at the Lake’s request for the town to issue up to $46 million in bonds to pay for the development’s infrastructure.
Langtree Partner and Attorney David Parker spent the better part of his presentation to Mooresville commissioners trying to alleviate concerns that there’s some sort of “gotcha” that accompanies the new special-assessment improvement district (SAID) bonds. The SAID bonds were made possible by the N.C. General Assembly in August, and Langtree is the first development group in the state to ask for the new form of financing.
Parker explained that the town is in no way at risk by issuing the bonds. (To read a one-on-one interview with Parker and his explanation of how the SAID bonds work, click here: http://thegattonreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/corporate-welfare-so-what.html )
At Monday’s public hearing, Parker asked: “Where’s that gotcha?”
“The weird answer is: there ain’t one,” he said.
Catherine Marshall, who lives in the Langtree development area, told commissioners: “When something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
Al Fiore, chairman and CEO of PowerWorks Electric in Mooresville, said “there is a gotcha,” to the SAID bonds. “It’s gotcha jobs,” he said. “We need jobs.”
He told commissioners that the General Assembly had given them a “tool to stimulate employment in your municipality” and that it isn’t going to cost the town anything.
Many of Fiore’s employees were at the meeting, and Fiore told commissioners that PowerWorks has a contract with Langtree for their first phase of electric work and lighting.
“When you’re thinking about the risks, don’t delay too long,” he said.
Langtree developers have touted jobs, along with increasing tax revenues, as their biggest contributions to the local economy. Langtree has said that its development would bring jobs to Mooresville from the very first day work begins on the site.
Commissioner Miles Atkins asked if all the jobs were guaranteed to be local.
Parker said he couldn’t guarantee that the jobs would go to people who had just lost their jobs. “I wish I could say that, but I can’t.”
But one question that hasn’t yet been answered is this: If the town issues bonds on behalf of Langtree, would the Langtree project then be considered a “public project”? Would the developers have to abide by all the requirements of public projects, such as bidding contract work and having to take the lowest bid without regard to the residence of the contractor and his/her employees?
“This is something that is being researched by the town’s bond counsel and me,” said Town Attorney Steve Gambill in an e-mailed response to Report questions this week. “If this is approved by the town board and the LGC (Local Government Commission), we certainly will have a definite answer.”
At Monday’s public hearing, Atkins said that to avoid the appearance of favoritism and “sending mixed signals to developers,” the town needs to develop a policy setting guidelines for the bonds. The policy would identify certain thresholds, such as overall project costs, that the town would set before it would consider issuing SAID bonds.
Town Manager Steve Husemann said town staff is working on that policy and that it could be presented to the board at its April town board meeting.
To read a list of 10 recommendations that a town financial consultant recently provided to commissioners to help them mitigate their risks in issuing the SAID bonds, click on the documents below: .jpg)
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After Monday’s public hearing, commissioners called for a special meeting on Tuesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall to consider voting on a final assessment resolution for the Langtree proposal. Town Attorney Steve Gambill said the word “final” is misleading; if commissioners pass the resolution, that simply opens the door for them to approach the LGC with the Langtree bonding proposal.
Also at the March 24 meeting, commissioners could vote on a “reimbursement agreement” with Langtree, which stipulates that Langtree will pay for all the town’s due-diligence work on the SAID-financing issue.
Responding on Monday to Parker’s statement that he asked “the most piercing questions” of Langtree, Atkins said he isn’t opposed to the project. However, he told Parker, while Langtree has had months to wrap its brain around the new form of financing, “it came pretty quickly for us.”
“I just got introduced to it last month,” Atkins said.
Parker said that the SAID issue may be new to North Carolina, but that tens of thousands of similar projects have been funded this same way in dozens of states since 1736.
Florida is one state that has special-assessment districts. Many of the projects there are apparently crashing under the pressures of the current economy. But Parker – along with Phil Hunt of Gardnyr Michael Capital, Inc., investment banking and financial advisors, who attended the public hearing with Langtree –said the projects, not the financing form, are failing. They said the projects there are failing because of self-governing issues and because Florida doesn’t have stringent processes in place like North Carolina.
But in an interview with the Report in November, when Langtree was negotiating the bonds with Iredell County, Parker said that of all the states with special assessment districts, Florida is the one with the most safeguards in place. He said that’s why Langtree developers “modeled all of (their) findings – and all the information that will be submitted to the (N.C.) Local Government Commission” after the State of Florida. (See http://thegattonreport.blogspot.com/2008/11/corporate-welfare-so-what.html.)
Parker also said in the interview that when a special-assessment payment has been missed in Florida, the primary lender (typically a bank) covers the missed payment to avoid default. “The bank doesn’t want to have to come in on foreclosure and buy the whole bond …” said Parker. “For that reason,” he said, “it is impossible to sell the bonds without ‘vertical’ financing in place.”Fortunately for Langtree, Parker said at that time, the developers have “loan commitment letters for further financing from lenders that understand that they may be in behind the special assessments and are comfortable with that.”
But when Atkins asked at Monday night’s public hearing if Langtree has commitment letters from the development’s vertical construction lenders, Parker replied: “They’re all waiting for these bonds. It’s a chicken-and-egg thing.”
He said that Langtree could provide commitment letters from its vertical lenders, showing their commitment to building contingent upon the issuance of bonds, this week. It’s unclear if those letters have been received by the town.
Rick Howard, CEO of Langtree, told commissioners that “details are important, but this is about creating job opportunities. It’s about creating jobs locally. We’re ready to (sign) contracts with them, and they’re ready to get busy.”
“This is an opportunity,” Howard said.
Parker said that Gardnyr Michael Capital, Inc. has closed 13 special-assessment financing deals in the past year and a half – during some of the roughest economic times in memory. The company recently closed on a district in Alabama, which Hunt said was “nothing special compared to Mooresville’s project.”
What if the town decides to issue the bonds but the bonds ultimately don’t sell or are only partially sold?
That’s simple, said Hunt. In that case, the project simply wouldn’t move forward. No skin off the town’s back.
Local resident Diane DePriest asked commissioners: what if the bond issuance is approved and the developers/property owners default on their assessment payments?
Hunt said the property would then enter into foreclosure and the Town of Mooresville would end up with the Langtree acreage and its infrastructure. He agreed with other experts who have approached the board on behalf of both Langtree and the town and say that the SAID legislation was written so that the taxpayers bear absolutely no burden and no risk.
Ron Johnson, head of Mooresville’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, spoke in support of the SAID bonds for Langtree. He said the project will significantly increase Mooresville’s tax base and bring additional sales tax to the area. Also, Johnson added, John Q. Hammons’ hotel/convention center would give the town board a place to meet in-town for its annual planning retreat. That comment was followed with laughter and clapping by the board and members of the public at the meeting.
But on a more serious note, DePriest asked: what is the “doomsday scenario” for the Town of Mooresville taxpayer if the project fails?
“There isn’t one,” said Mayor Bill Thunberg. “If the infrastructure is in place, the town still owns it anyway. That’s the doomsday.”
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79 comments:
Ron Johnson, head of Mooresville’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, spoke in support of the SAID bonds for Langtree. He said the project will significantly increase Mooresville’s tax base and bring additional sales tax to the area. Also, Johnson added, John Q. Hammons’ hotel/convention center would give the town board a place to meet in-town for its annual planning retreat. That comment was followed with laughter and clapping by the board and members of the public at the meeting.
I SURE HOPE THIS CLOWN WAS JOKING WHEN HE SAID THIS
This was the biggest joke statement...funny how creating jobs wasn't mentioned when we first heard about Lametree.
Rick Howard, CEO of Langtree, told commissioners that “details are important, but this is about creating job opportunities. It’s about creating jobs locally. We’re ready to (sign) contracts with them, and they’re ready to get busy.”
1:31 The job situation wasn't nearly as poor as it is now compared to when Langtree was first announced. The job factor wasn't a big deal a couple years ago.
That's my point. So now Big and Little care about jobs but then it was just a way to make money. You can't have it both ways Jim.
Jim, I agree, I wouldn't say that he actually "cares" about others getting jobs. It's just a new selling point, however true.
It's like when you're selling cars. A few years ago you're advertising how fast it is or how many cup holders it has. Now the same cars are advertised posting their low fuel consumption.
JB
I believe I would tell them all to go to hell and build the Biggest mobile home park for all the folks that are and will be in need for housing. Throw in a couple of Quick Stops, Gas Stations and a few fast food depots and Magic we have the perfect development.
Why not let Rowboat Dock and Dredge relocate there business to this site so it can still have the honor of welcoming everyone to Mooresville Slum Gateway
2:02, you are a riot! Race City USA can be Slum City USA.
But seriously, Clown or Puppet?
"rumor has it" that a "certain individual" (for some time) has been text messaging a "certain commissioner" questions to ask during public meetings to stimulate a "certain blog". Any truth to this?
"certain commissioner" = Little Howard? Surely you jest.
Remember all of this is part of the mating dance between the Town Board and Langtree. Is this about jobs, sure, in the short term. But what about the long term? Is this about Mooresville continuing to sell out to 'friendly developers', sure. Is that what we want?
The building of this complex will do little to change Mooresville's employment environment. There will some trickle down opportunities but they will be rare. Did the Lowe's complex generate a lot of jobs? No, there were precious few Mooresville people employed by the construction companies. Most of the labor was given to contractors who brought in personnel.
If you want to look like a mini- Charlotte, support Langtree. If you want the congestion and crime (Exit 18 and 28 are prime examples) associated with Mega Development, support Langtree. If you want Mooresville to be the patsy for Langtree, support it. If you want to see your Town Board cave in (again), support Langtree.
Langtree has promise. But not the promise of utopia! Don't look for Mooresville to provide jobs! That is not the function of a local Government.
Langtree is well financed and don't let the rattling of their sabers worry you. If the return on investment is so robust, why are the rest of the financiers waiting until the Town issues the Bonds? Maybe, just maybe, Langtree isn't disclosing the whole truth.
These people are in the Business of making money and they will not and can not sit on the sidelines. A few million is nothing to them. Again, a few million is nothing to them.
Langtree is using the psychology of fear to ram this down our throats!
2:58 you sir have just posted the most well thought, to the point, post ever written on this blog. I couldn't have said it better.
This deal is no different than Mayor Pat ramming the new arena down the throat of the people of Charlotte.
It's not about jobs folks. Its about big money taking advantage of government assistance. i.e the taxpayer.
Amen 3:04 via 2:58!!My only question to 3:04 is why you think 2:58 is a sir.LOL.I'm just picking on you to try to break the tension a little.I appreciate 2:58s point of view and haven't thought of it like that.
Who are you calling a Redneck? What does that have to do with anything.
I just wonder how many folks including myself would take the time to write if there was no anonymous profile, maybe Jamie can take that crutch away and we can all come out of the closet
Maybe the commissioner meetings should not allow cell phones or text messaging during there meeting, check them at the door
Exactly what did the Howard's do to get on the Gatton Shit List?
maybe you all should just STFU BECAUSE LANGTREE IS A DONE DEAL. DEAL WITH THAT, JIM.
He told commissioners that the General Assembly had given them a “tool to stimulate employment in your municipality” and that it isn’t going to cost the town anything.
This law doesn't mention anything about employment. It's a lending tool for the developers. Will jobs be created? Sure. Will "our" folks be employed? Maybe.
This SAID bond is not risk-free. There is nothing in this world without some sort of "risk." If Langtree is so concerned about creating jobs for Mooresville, why don't they assure us that 80% of the jobs will be filled by Iredell County citizens.
This bond is a benefit for developers, not for citizens.
It’s amazing to me how people believe it’s the governments purpose to create jobs. I wish the settlers and immigrants of the 16th - 20th century could see us now. They would be bewildered if not amused at our mommy the government. This country was built on self-reliance and the shedding of government oppression (Revolutionary War). The purpose of government is to protect citizens from each other and from foreigners. It does this by enforcing contracts, defending our borders, and prosecuting criminals.
Now people expect the government to “create” jobs. The only way the government creates jobs is to take money out of a productive economy (or borrow it) then create a government position. This kind of manipulation always has destructive consequences. When municipalities compete for development and businesses with incentives, they do themselves a disservice. The most effective way for a municipality to grow is for the government to minimize its footprint and let business flourish on its own. People, markets, and businesses create jobs, not the government (even if it likes to take credit).
If Langtree wants to build a development that’s great, but the government needs to stay out of it unless there is some infringement of property rights.
No one seems to understand that someone, at some time will be developing the most Southern part of Iredell County. Has no one in Mooresville looked at the Lowe's campus lately? And, believe it or not, all businesses are in existence to make a profit, be it plumbers, race teams, carpenters, etc...need we go on. Apparently, some people are just jealous of successful people.
Hey, guys! I apologize for veering from the subject for a moment, but I noticed the earlier discussion about commissioners’ use of text messaging on cell phones and thought I’d jump in with a quick reminder that next week is Sunshine Week in North Carolina. For more information, go to http://www.sunshineweek.org/
Sunshine Week is one week out of the year when citizens are reminded (usually through the press) that government works for you. While I’ve never requested records of commissioners’ text messages (though I’m thinking now that it’s a great idea!), I’d certainly imagine that text messages they send and/or receive on their town-owned cell phones would be public records per the N.C. Public Records law. So, give it a whirl, and let us know what you find out!
Now, back the topic at hand ...
sounds like to me you bunch of norther nuts moved in trying to take over
The real question here is if Langtree needs this as bad as they appear to need it, why is the town not requiring written conditions to be met, for example: all contractors will be from Mooresville, all employees will be from Mooresville (not out in the county counsidering Iredell doesn't want any part of it) or at the very least that all workers be legal American workers. Nothing against hard working foreigners, but if Mooresville economic stimulation is the point, this is the way to make it happen. As far as Langtree reimbursing the town for the town's cost, that better include paying for the countless hours that the town attorney, town manager and other staff have spent working on this matter when they could have been working on the things the town is really in the business of providing like police, fire, water, sewer and trash collection. Or perhaps they could have spent their time coming up with a parks idea better than building soccer fields in an out of the way place to benefit people with pie in the sky dreams for their kids who travel all over creation playing soccer every weekend with the hope of a college scholarship. I am having a hard time of seeing how a park of this nature really benefits the overall citizenry of our town. But, that's another subject. Or maybe, as reported in the paper this week, we are paying $270,000 for new stop lights at Magnolia and Cabarrus and Magnolia and Center. The current lights at those locations seem to be the only ones in town that actually make sense and work just fine. Another example of wasteful government spending--but if the manager wasn't having to spend 60 hours a week dealing with Langtree, maybe he could have thought that one through a little better.
I believe one of the "probing" questions posed to Mr. Langtree attempted to elicit a commitment to require a certain percentage of jobs be reserved for this area. Mr. Langtree specfically said he could not guarantee that. If, in fact, these SAID bonds are approved they're not sure whether or not the developer would have to follow federal hiring policies and practices, which I believe would not allow for a guarantee of local folks being hired.
If, however, SAID bonds do not equate to partial government ownership then I don't see any reason that the town could not add a caveat to the bond issue by putting this in writing.
If this is all about jobs, as Mr. Langtree asserts, then make a commitment to the people of Mooresville who are making a commitment to YOU by backing you through the issuance of bonds through this corporate welfare program.
As for the park issue, I know the annual soccer tournamnet brings in a substantial number of people each year, and the folks at Lake Norman Soccer have those figures. In the past, they've had to host the tournamnet in Statesville because Mooresville didn't have enough fields, so we lost a good bit of money in food/hotels to Statesville. By having a complex in Mooresville, we will be able to provide local businesses with more revenue.
Regarding compensation for town time spent on this issue -- at least we don't have to worry about the Asst Town Manager's time being taken away from us. He's probably more worried about meeting with Mr. Radon to figure out the math on the golf course.
I personally think our commissioners and Chamber need to get their butts on the ball and attract businesses and industries that have nothing to do with NASCAR. Look what's going on in Kannapolis. Surely there must be cottage industries which feed off these services. Former Mayor Knox always kept his ear to the ground and was able to keep jobs here.
Let's keep this movement going and use local jobs as a bargaining chip for all future deals. We need to diversify this community and build on more than the currently unstable motorsports industry. Don't get me wrong, I'm thankful for that powerful presence, giving us the chance to survive the loss of textiles, but we need to get the stardust out of our eyes and grow up and out!!
That's right, if this thing is going to be about the taxpayers of Mooresville putting their credibility and bond rating on the line for these guys, then the way for these guys to put "our money" where "their mouth is" would be to commit to hiring and buying locally. And the town should place a number of other conditions on this deal and if those conditions aren't met then the deal won't happen. And all of that must be in writing. Our landscape is littered with projects (such as Curtis Pond) where the town government did not hold the bar high enough for developers and now the developer is belly up, gone and their obligation to build sewer infrastructure (in the case of Curtis Pond) is being absorbed by the citizens of Mooresville.
Windwalker, The Kannapolis project, North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC), has been funded by the taxpayers through Tax Increment Financing (TIF). That was a developer, Davaid H Murdock, who brought this development proposal forward.
To 11:52: And, the Kannapolis project is clearly a public private venture in trying to create a research campus--something that would have a long term positive impact on the town. Further, it is located on the site of the old mill--one ripe for redevelopment. We happen to have one of those in downtown Mooresville. I think the point of the folks who aren't real happy about using the bond for this Langtree deal is that this is the kind of deal that happens regardless of public involvement. It may not happen on the time frame these developers would like for it to happen in, but it will happen in a time frame controlled by the marketplace and the marketplace seems to be saying right now--whoa--we've had enough overbuilding the last few years. As they say, it's the economy, stupid.
The Kannapolis thing was also the county working with the developer, not the town.
This Langtree thing smells to high heavens. Being from New York, I've seen all kinds of crap. If the funding was there when the project was proposed, why do they need public help now? What happened to all the pre-construction commitments for the condos? It would be interesting to see how the people on the waiting list have moved from the rear to the top of the list. That must mean the commitments have fallen apart. The need for transparency is obvious: OPEN THE BOOKS IF YOU WANT SAID BONDS. It seems clear that all the people that want SAID Bonds have a financial stake in the outcome, including that DAVID PARKER guy. How much money does he have in this venture? All this sneaky stuff going on around here makes we want to move back to the BRONX.
Yankee Bob
Bonds always means higher property taxes. I smell a problem. Dare I say cable deal and water and sewage.
This is truely amusing, the Howards have tried everything in the book to get the first the County and now are after the town to provide them an alternative to them paying for their personal subdivision. Obviously the town turkeys are very gullible and will give them what they want. They craftsmen are being used to promote jobs - which will not happen. Any workers will be trucked in from other job sites and will be from somewhere else in the world. Our own workers will not get a smell. They are now willing to believe anything that this crew of hucksters who are selling snake oil, tell them about jobs. I wish it was true but is not!
Anonymous said...
Beth,
Do you honestly believe Langtree would give you a commitment on the jobs? Also, who will 'police' them to make sure the Town gets its 'fair' share when the project is underway?
If you ask Mr. Langtree for definite commitments on ANYTHING, he'll tell you what you want to hear.
Langtree should open their financial and project plan books for the Town inspection(us). Anything short of full financial disclosure should be met with a emphatic NO!
There are no axes to grind here, just good solid Business practices. The Town should be run as a business and demand substantial concessions from Langtree, take their time to deliberate, and weigh the future costs of possible default.
Additionally, municipalities do not and should not want to be in the real estate business in the case of default. The developers will scatter to the wind and the Town will be left with property which has no tax base.
We all know this will not happen, of course!
Oh the mayor assures us there is no "doomsday" with this deal. Same dude who promised us the cable deal was a no brainer win win. I wouldn't believe this guy if he was hooked up to a lie detector.
Now, is anyone ready to demand that the town charter be changed to allow for the recall of elected officials?
This is Sunshine Week folks. The Charlotte Observer had a story in its Local Section today about a modern-day hero. Apparently one Mecklenburg County commissioner used a “spy pen” to record closed session meetings because his fellow commissioners just didn’t see “the need” to record those sessions. Now that’s what I call civil disobedience at its finest.
Listen up, Mayor Bill Thunberg and anyone like you. The law clearly states that all public records and information compiled by the any NC agencies are the property of the people. Stop violating this law or suffer the consequences.
We can always hope that Mooresville has at least one, perhaps even more, elected official(s) with the integrity, character, and inner fortitude to do something similar to the Mecklenburg County Commissioner, whose “spy pen” led to all closed session meetings being recorded in full…
Our very own mayor has been promoted to the next higher level of incompetence:
http://www2.mooresvilletribune.com/content/2009/mar/23/mooresville-mayor-named-municipalities-post/
And what does this group do?
http://www.nclm.org/about%20the%20league/what%20is%20the%20league.htm
And what do they believe in?
http://www.nclm.org/Legal-legislative/coreprinciples.htm
The league will be (bold type inserted by me):
Ethical, financially sound, open and transparent, fair, equitable, innovative, forward-thinking, non-partisan, Inclusive and collaborative as it engages partners, stakeholders, and external entities.
So Mr. Mayor is going to be drastically different than his leadership and activities here in Mooresville? I wonder if he'll get Rader appointed to something within this organization. Mr. Radon can certainly teach these folks a little bit about governmental math.
The word "Thunberg" in the same sentence as "ethical" or "open and transparent" or "collaborative"? Is this some kind of joke?
This big vote is tonight. Word on the street is that its going to pass. Party at Big H's tonight!!
Well, any updates? Or is everyone at Big H's tonight feeding from the pork barrel?
Totally off topic, but I"m hoping Jamie will cover this in another story. State Senate Bill 265 has been proposed again this year. The premise of the bill is that all students will be funded at the same rate across the state. The MGSD has already begun sounding the false alarm that they'll be required to merge/consolidate with the Iredell-Statesville School System. The legislation under consideration is the same legislation considered last year. It does not require consolidation or merger. City School Systems will be challenged to find the additional monies to compensate the loss from a previously favorable funding formula, and will more than likely have to raise taxes in order to survive. However, the bill does not say MGSD must merge. Please don't fall for this line that the MGSD has already begun to quietly spread around town. It is 100% untrue. Here is the link to the text of the proposed bill: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/Sessions/2009/Bills/Senate/PDF/S265v1.pdf
When I confronted the School Board last year about their propoganda of misinformation, the Superintendent told me that I was 100% incorrect in my interpretation. He now agrees that the law does not require merger/consolidation, but he has told various groups the exact opposite.
Big surprise. It passed with NO opposition.
What a JOKE.
___________________________________________________
Mooresville town commissioners on Tuesday approved the next step in Langtree At The Lake's request to finance public infrastructure with bonds secured by Langtree's land. Officials say the bonds pose no financial risk to the town or its taxpayers.
The Town resolution, which passed with a unanimous vote, now opens the door for Mooresville to submit its application to the Local Government Commission (LGC).
Rick Howard, president of the $300 million Langtree project, said, "This kind of bond financing is new to North Carolina but has been used for over 40 States in the Country, going all the way back to the 1700's.
"The Town Commissioners did an excellent job in holding public information sessions and hearings to learn about this vehicle for stimulating the local economy without spending taxpayer money or risking municipal resources," added Howard.
Phil Hunt, an underwriter for the firm of Gardnyr Michael Capital, said "in this economic environment, banks are simply not lending for basic infrastructure like water, sewer and road. Our firm recently sold similar bonds for a single family development in Alabama. Langtree At The Lake, with its large commercial component, is very attractive to bond buyers in the market at rates that are acceptable in this climate."
"The fact that John Q. Hammons, one of America's premier Hotel and Convention Center builders and operators, has recently announced that he will be breaking ground in the Fall of 2009 in the middle of this Langtree At The Lake site is indicative of the quality of this project," said Hunt.
Hammons announced in 2007 that he will build a 300-room hotel with 75,000 square feet of meeting and convention space on the site which was annexed by the town in December 2008.
The Langtree bonds were authorized by the North Carolina General Assembly in August of 2008. Only those properties that are directly benefitted and expressly petition in writing to be assessed pay for the bonds with assessments against their land.
N.C. Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, Jr. who represents part of Iredell County and was one of the key sponsors of the authorizing legislation, said in an email to the Town Board that "….. the Town bears no liability for the Bonds. The risk is that of the Bondholder when issued…"
Langtree At The Lake is the first development in the state to apply. When formed, the Special Assessment Improvement District would be the first of its kind in North Carolina.
Larry:
You will soon learn if you have not already that the MGSD has a very strong PR machine that they crank up every time they try and promote their agenda. Good luck trying to take them on. The MGSD is the sacred cow of Mooresville. Mooresville schools are perfect, just ask the people in Central Office: Any violence in the schools? “No.” Any drugs in Mooresville? “No.” Any gang activity taking place in schools? “Not here.” How do you handle discipline problems in the classroom? “We don’t have discipline problems in the classroom.” “Look at our shiny new computers and pretty football field
Thanks, 8:59 .... I am well aware of thei PR machine and sometimes find it humorous. This isn't the first time I've taken on the MGSD and I'm sure it won't be the last. At least this time I have a written statement from the superintendent admitting that the bill does not require merger/consolidation.
I am not necessarily in favor of merger/consolidation because I see some benefits in having local schools. I just expect town leaders to be honest when they put out information -- I know, silly me.
I hear you loud and clear with their propoganda of perfection.
Good God, those Langtree people pulled it off
!!!! I just hope they don't go belly up and cause Mooresville's bond ratings to flop. To be able to pull that deal off in this economy is quite amazing, but I guess when you see who voted for it, it all makes sense. I'm moving my Yankee ass back home.
Yankee Bob
This is away from the subject but would like to get other peoples input.
All the other towns and cities around us are laying off people or furloughing them and has put a freeze on hiring to save the people money.
Our town and the so called leaders of a town board just keep on spending and hiring just like everything is peachy with no problems.
To me this shows that we are over taxed or just being lead by a bunch of dumb asses. Our board cares nothing about the average person. We are not all well off like one commissioner who has more money than he has sense and all the other ones that like to waste our money.
I would like everyones else opinion to see if it is just me or all they just crazy and don't care.
Jaime please do a article about this getting facts and so forth. Remember November is not far off. Lets all work together to get the Mayor and those to his right off.
All,
There was never any doubt this would pass. Our Town Commissioners are way too 'close' to the developers. The 'open meetings' have been a pseudo mating dance with the outcome already scripted.
Don't be at all surprised if one of the Downtown Jewelry shops relocates (guess who!), with a sweetheart deal, into the Langtree development.
Langtree has been rammed down the citizen's throats as was MI Connection. We had absolutely zero say. None, nada, ziltch. Items such as Town Bond issuance and purchase of Cable systems should not be under the purview of the Town Board but brought to the Citizens for their vote. Allowing free lance review by Commissioners with vested interests is Government by default.
The Citizens of Mooreville have allowed the Town Board to become a de-facto Developers' Social Well Being Committee. We've allowed it to happen and we only have one chance to make a change, election time.
Anonymous March 26 4:51, your remarks are best directed at the Board. These are the people who are morphing your community into a suburb of Charlotte, with all the big City problems. The Town Board has sold out to the developers. They are the rude, loud asses, know it alls and the shame of it is they are all LOCALS! Born and bred here and selling their community to Millionaire Developers.
In case you wish to voice your opinion to the folks who will finally approve/disapprove the bonds, here is the link to the Local Government Commission: https://www.nctreasurer.com/NR/rdonlyres/D7A08DF3-BBD1-4B9F-845A-3665E4475651/0/LGCMEMBERSREVISEDASOF11209.pdf
These folks are ultimately responsible for allowing bonds to be issued by the town.
Additionally, you may want to voice your opinion to our state legislators, especially Mr. Hartsell as he is a main sponsor of the SAID bonds.
8:13 and 9:41 - I commend you both as you are hitting the nail on the head(s). What is needed, if all feel the way the two of you do, they should start now and canvass for an honorable, strong, knowledgeable and determined
person(s) (males or females). Strategize a plan and make sure they have all the necessary information (of which there is plenty) to be able to circumvent all the nasty, devious plans they will encounter. God bless you all and may these narcistic, greedy prevaricators receive the justice they deserve.
Go Langtree!
David Goefelt is "Right On" re: his March 13 (4:04PM) comment! Where will the town of Mooresville stand when Lametree's Big,Little,et.al. infringe on property rights??
Those that have witnessed this whole process know that Lametree is "in bed" with TOM(Tpwn of Mooresville). There has been a total disregard for concerns re: pollution of LKN...crime...traffic...safety...overcrowding of infrastructure that Lametree and JQHammond will bring. Locals will not have preferential treatment for jobs....Will you even have to be a LEGAL citizen of the USA?
Has anyone noticed that Lametree was an 800 million dollar project and the March 25th posting called it a 300 million dollar project? How does that change the promised tax revenues?
REMEMBER THE "CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL" FOR THIS PROJECT!!!! Let us make sure we hold JQH, Lametree and..TOM accountable for EACH and EVERY condition as they were written in December, 2006! The INTENT (of the citizens) in asking for these conditions is very clear. We should allow no manipulations or misinterpretations of these conditions. Big, Little, and Parker have used the MO of "We can BULLY or BUY in order to get what we want"....It has worked so far!
Do you feel better now?
Yes.
Sorry for the rant (especially Jaime since this is your forum), but I have put it off for too long.
I think your assumption that most of us aren't actively engaged in the process is an overgeneralization -- especially since you really don't know the identities of most of those who post on this forum.
Mill Village. You have valid points! The apathy shown by the Citizens of Mooresville is startling. This is do, in part, to having been conditioned by our Town Board's continuing deafness; they just don't hear too well and alas, our apathy has grown.
What has happened to the Crone investigation? The Board has squashed the results and have prolonged the process to the point of "who cares anymore!"
I have been to multiple meetings on MIC and Langtree, as had dozens of opponents and, in fact, the Town Meeting room was too small to hold all the people and an overflow room had to be set-up. In both cases, the Town Board marched to either their own agenda (MIC) or to the agenda of the Developers. The Town meetings were a sham, a farce and a waste of time and effort.
For the Langtree meetings, the Town imposed strict rules on resident input but none on Langtree. Langtree supporters were allowed to bellow on at will. On the other hand, The Mayor repeatedly cut the testifiers short and the rest of the Board continued to doodle! It was another scripted performance.
The MIC meetings were absurd! The Time Warner spokesperson promised to upgrade the system to Time Warner standards within a year if the Town would allow Time Warner to take over the system. The Town ignored him. The opponents repeatedly asked why the Town wanted to get into private industry. And they were ignored. By the way, Time Warner completed their upgrade well before a year in those areas they retained. MIC is still trying to complete the upgrade and is years behind TWC in its offerings. The benefits touted by the Town have not even come close to fruition.
So why even bother to attend the meetings?
Mill Village, you are correct. We need to be more politically active in the Media, behind the scenes, and on the streets. Showing up at Town Hall meetings has shown to be useless proposition, albeit a good first step. Attend some meetings and you will walk away with the same empty feeling the rest of us have.
By the way, I've attended many meetings here and in other states but I've never seen where the power to issue bonds and buy a cable system has been left in the hands of a few $5,000 a year Commissioners. Expenditures of that magnitude should be left to a vote by the Citizenry.
Mooresville's Town Board is being run as if it was in the 1960's and your ranting on the participants of this forum will not change that. By sticking to the issues rather than attacking each other, we 'may' be able to make some progress and at the very least, air the issues.
Mill Village,
I would love to attend the MIC Board meetings. Unfortunately, they are held when I have to be at work. When I asked Mr. Rader why they held meetings when the majority of the taxpaying public is at work, he responded with a coy "He who holds the meeting gets to determine when it takes place".
He then said that MIC gives a progress report at almost every town meeting. I've never seen this at the meetings I've attended and I've never seen it listed on the agenda.
There is a lot of griping on this board. People are fed up with not being heard or being flat out ignored. Hopefully this fall there will be a chance to change that.
Jim
Well said,Jim. I'd also add that people are fed up with being flat out lied to.
INTEGRITY AND HONOUR MEAN NOTHING TO THE DEVELOPERS AND THE "GOOD OLE BOYS' IN MOORESVILLE! "THEY" JUST KEEP DOING THEIR PRESS RELEASES AND THE MEDIA KEEP LAPPING IT UP. (LIKE IT IS THE TRUTH) THERE ARE NO INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST.. JUST A BUNCH OF MEDIA TYPES PARROTING WHAT THEY ARE BEING FED BY THE CON MEN.
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO "RESPONSIBLE JOURNALISTS"????
Well....I know many responsible journalists.
Unfortunately, our area lost a few this week with the announcement of the closing of the Lake Norman Times. They seemed to be fairly balanced in their reporting and they were not just spoon fed by the officials. They actually asked questions that might make an official a little uncomfortable. (Compare their take on how MI Connection is doing with the Tribune).
I'm sure with the talk of furloughs and layoffs at Media General we can expect more of the same from the Tribune.
Unemployment in Iredell hit 12.9% last month...compared to 5% a year ago. The Tribune will keep saying all is great. The officials will continue saying all is great.
Nope...no problems here.
Stop the presses! 3 days ago I wrote on here that Frank Rader told me that MI Connection gives progress reports at almost every TOM board meeting but I had never seen it on an agenda. Lo and behold...they will be giving a report to the board next week AND IT'S LISTED ...as the VERY LAST item on the agenda. Who says there is nothing accomplished on this blog?
That's because they'll still be working on the report until the last minute.
Hmmmmmm?? I have an idea. Lets get langtree and the town together and have a meeting. No sense in hidding behind a blog. That of course is for cowards!!!. Lets get it out in the open and talk with all parties involved. Who will sign on first??? Please sign up. If you are not comfortable with that give me some times,dates. There are strength in numbers so lets see who is willing to come out!!!!
Sign up sheet
1.
2.
3.
Not willing to sign up?? Then give times and dates. Please let me know what works for all of you. Thanks,Darren
Darren.
Interesting but specifically what would you want to discuss with the Town and Langtree? There already has been extensive dialogue with all parties (with a Great showing by the Citizens). The Town has put bare minimal requirements on the developers and the Town has asked extremely little in return for the favor...
The plain and simple truth is this Project was going to go forward regardless of objections. If you want to stop/ slow this project find an out of town judge who would be will to issue an injunction for whatever reason you can dream up. (No environmental impact study, faulty Traffic Impact Analysis, impact on ground water and outflow into Lake Norman, poor design of waste water catch basins.) Pick any of the above.
If you want to address why the Town rolled over any and all objections to Langtree and requested little from the developers, go ask your Commissioner. Remember the quality of your their answers will be somewhat biased.
Larry:
I read your comments about the MGSD on the Tribune site. You skirt the issue when you talk of a "certain population" over represented in low test scores. Let me guess, you are talking about the "black" students. Here's some sad but true facts you can take back to your followers: Until the "black" community starts to care about education they will always be over represented in low test scores. Until the "black" community quits making fun of their own by accusing them of acting "white" becuase they are studying, you will continue to see them lag behind. Until the "black" community lowers the number of black children born to single mothers, you will not see an increase in test scores. I believe the last stat I saw was over 75% of black children today are born out of wedlock. What a tragedy that is.
So don't blame the school system for not doing all it can to increase test scores for that "certain population". They could spend $20,000 per student and bring in the best teachers and administrators in the country and it would have no effect until the attitude towards education changes within that "certain population."
And people say I'm offensive.
Mr. Green skirted a number of issues in those comments and included many blatant inaccuracies. Talking about low test scores was one of many problems with his comments on the Tribune site. My question would be where did he get his figures and facts cause I didn't read them anywhere else.
Check the stats available on DPI's website, the US Census Bureau, and the results from the EOGs, EOC's.
I attempted to provide links to the data on the tribune site, but the comments were deleted because their policy does not allow for links to be inserted into comments.
I think the inaccuracies are from the person who ranted on about the "black" community on 4/8 at 8:47pm. It's one thing to talk about percentages, it's an entirely different thing to talk about real numbers.
If you're asking me to do your homework for you by spoon feeding you information, I'm not inclined to do that. Everything I've said is supported by testing data, exceptional children data, the US Dept of Ed, the US Census Bureau, and even comments from the superintendent.
If you're interested in learning more, then investigate for yourself and prove me wrong. The US Census Bureau's data indicate that there are more white children born out of wedlock than black children; more white children in single family households than black children; more white folks on welfare than black folks. Percentages don't really indicate all of the truth.
As for the assumption that I was referring to African-American students, that's purely an assumption on your part. I could be referring to socio-economic status as a major factor in this situation.
At any rate, I've told you where I got my info and welcome any intelligent discussion on the facts related to education in general and/or MGSD specifically. But don't come at me with this nonsense that the entire "black" community doesn't care about education. That's as stupid as saying that all "whites" are racist.
What I think is so funny is that the jackass making the comments about the "black" community isn't willing to log into the Tribune site and put that crap with his/her name. When you march in your white sheet, do you still cover your face?
You're a freaking idiot. I bet you're in favor of abstinence-only education too! Yea, that's working well.
Green, don't both with these fools. They may come and burn a cross in your front yard.
WTF?
Why don't Larry Green and the 15 other people who post comments over and over again start their own blog?
I know what the next comment will be from one of you little sissy bedwetters: "If you don't want to read our comments don't log on" Well, I usually don't but occasionally I need a good laugh so I log on to watch you little bitches fight it out like two girls in a school yard.
Have a good day.
You must be a product of the wonderful MGSD!
Man wins $1.8 million in suit against blogger
Posts criticizing local ad agency chief were found defamatory; the author has appealed the ruling.
By Mike Cherney
(Myrtle Beach) Sun News
Posted: Sunday, Apr. 12, 2009
MYRTLE BEACH The head of a local advertising agency has won $1.8 million in damages after suing an author of a blog – known for its harsh and sometimes crass criticism of elected officials, business leaders and local media – for defamation.
Scott Brandon, head of The Brandon Agency, sued Donald Wizeman, a local businessman who was found by State Law Enforcement Division to be an author of the Myrtle Beach Insider blog. An article appeared on the blog in June 2007 that called Brandon a “failed lawyer” and criticized one of the firm's advertising campaigns, according to court documents.
Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein ruled in favor of Brandon after a hearing in September. In January, a special referee appointed by the court found Brandon was owed $800,000 in actual damages and $1 million in punitive damages.
Wizeman, who in court filings denied he authored the article despite agreeing with it, has appealed the ruling. He was absent from the September hearing and said in court filings he did not receive notification of the hearing and was denied the right to defend himself. Wizeman declined to comment this week on the proceedings, noting that he would not allow his attorney to comment, either.
This is not the first time the blog, at myrtlebeachinsider.blogspot.com, has been the center of controversy. A post on the blog in 2007 that criticized officials at Coastal Carolina University and referenced a shotgun sparked an investigation by SLED.
No charges were ultimately filed against Wizeman regarding his blog post about Coastal Carolina after Wizeman told SLED he meant no actual harm. Shortly after, some Horry County Council members tried to throw Wizeman off a county advisory board for his blog posts, but the measure failed.
and? your point is?
Hello! Anyone there? Jamie must be working on something GOOD to be this quiet for so long! Did the above post scare everyone away!?
MAYBE....LATL IS THREATENING JAMIE WITH A LAWSUIT ... FOR SPREADING THE TRUTH!!!!
People are not scared...just disgusted! The creeps are out in the open!
For example:
They are throwing a shindig this Thursday, April 23rd @ Exit 32. ("They" want you to call it "the langtree exit".) It is under the guise of a benefit for Mitchell community college but, guess who three of the sponsors are!!!
1.) Langtree at the Lake
2.) Mooresville Tribune
3.) Alexander Zachary Jewelers (OWNED BY THE MAYOR of
MOORESVILLE)
You wonder why reporting about this development was so slanted??? You wonder why the mayor gaveled down the citizens concerned about the impact of this development??? You wonder about the SAID spendulous plan???
We're almost at 10 months in to the Cops for Kids investigation. Is it really that complicated folks?
They need to do somethning and get this over with and done.
Why has the Town Manager not made Carl Robbins the chief. He has done a fantastic job and has the respect of all of us here at the police Department. The past 8-9 months the moral has improved the most that I have ever seen it.
Apparently and I have to say it I do not believe that he knows a good thing when he see's it. Takes too long to act like the rest of our commissioners on matters such as the previous Chiefs.
Please people get back pulling together and calling and e mailing your commissioners and the Town Manager and help us out. Get Major Robbins appointed Chief. HE DESERVES IT!!!!!!!!
Thanks
It is truly amazing. The Town will go out of its way to borrow for private development and buy a dilapidated cable system but cannot raise enough money to stop the lay-offs in the Mooresville School District.
WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE DEVELOPERS @ EXIT 32? ARE THEY GOING TO ADHERE TO THE "CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL"????? HAVE INDIVIDUALS BEEN BOUGHT OR BULLIED INTO SILENCE?!
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