TRADER Candidate Forum

The Indian Trail Trader will be having a candidate forum on Thursday October 11th, 2007 from 7pm-9pm at Sun Valley High School Auditorium. I encourage all citizens of Indian Trail to mark their calendars for that evening. If you are concerned about the future direction of the town you should make sure to be in attendance. If you are concerned about our tax rate, public safety, infrastructure, you should make plans to be in attendance.

Indian Trail is at a crossroads with this election and at stake are 3 council seats and the Mayor. There is only one incumbent in the running and that is the current mayor. The other 7 candidates are new to running for office and are making an attempt in the political arena.
Though three candidates for council and the incumbent mayor are all backed by the same special interest backed PAC.

There are many issues facing our town. In no particular order: Liquor by the drink, Public Safety, TAXES, infrastructure, roads, water and sewer, schools, broadening the tax base, the downtown project, the new town hall.

I encourage everyone able to make time for probably the only candidate forum for Indian Trail to turn out. Get to know the issues and where the candidates stand on each. Make an informed decision and then VOTE on November 6th.

Your vote is a terrible thing to waste.

MORE OPTIONS

Tuesday night saw the IT Town Council vote 4-1 to approve the financing for the Blythe property. The lone dissenting vote was outgoing member Don Helms. Surprisingly enough, it was Mr. Helms that alerted the council to the Blythe property availability. He apparently in the subsequent votes that took place, only provided that for information purposes only not for the council to actually action.


The Mayor strongly opposed the land purchase of the Blythe property. If memory serves she cited the fact that it was too far off the road, was afraid of complacentcy on the part of the town to do a future town hall. She has by far been the strongest supporter of the new town hall or as I like to call it the "monument to government excess" that has been on the council. She also stated that she would not support this purchase unless the Blythe property was immediately moved into, with no improvements, and the existing location torn down and construction of the new facility was begun immediately. Wow!! Let's not worry about the employees or town business being accomplished but let's start an unfunded project of 8 million dollars immediately?

Let's for a moment go back to the dissenting vote of Don Helms. The night the downtown project was approved a couple of years ago, with 44 conditions, Councilman Helms was asked by Mr. Schallenkamp and myself how he could approve a project with so much density? His answer was that they took care of the town and that they really stuck it to the developer. They will have to do all the conditions so the town is protected. (Gist of the conversation not exact quote).


The Raco property was also purchased with a 5-0 vote and no dissenting opinions. Though that property now has to be tested for well contamination? Due dilligence for the proposed purchase of the property.


So what is the problem really with the land purchases and current location? Let look at the pros and cons:

Pros CONS

Town Gains Assets The Mayor Doesn't Like
Larger downtown footprint
Cheaper
No assets given up in trade
Not tied to any one project
Can build town hall on any of 3 locations
Better negotiation position
Fits in the Downtown Overlay District
The Mayor doesn't like it

I think the current council got this right. If the new town hall is built in the project area, this purchase makes sense. Acommodity that continues to go up in price and once development starts the sky is the limit. This purchase allows the town wiggle room if you will and affords us opportunities for the future. The downtown project can proceed just as if the town hall would be over there...in fact I believe it makes it cheaper for the developer especially with the stormwater solutions. Here is an idea. Develop the project and where the town hall was proposed leave as open space and add some trees. It will increase the amount of open space that was lacking on the project and the rooftops may not have to be counted as open space. Just a thought.

No Surprise

So the other blog has endorsed again their candidates of choice for the upcoming election. No surprise that they haven't changed their minds since the close of the sign up period. They have stated "We will not encourage the election of candidates that are slinging mud. If they can't stand on their own credibility and accomplishments, they're not worth considering." Supposedly, the blog people have spoken with candidates...of course, no one will know if they have spoken to them...since they have yet to reveal their identity. Some may say that they would get a truer idea of the candidates if they don't know they have a blog...maybe, but how do we know they spoke with any candidate other than the ITCFP people? I personally had a person ask me about the downtown project and whether it would be completed. My answer was "yes" the project has approval and its up to the developer to comply. That the sewer and water permits and road problems still had to be worked out but it would be finished.
They asked about the proposed land purchase. I explained it seemed like a good idea. The purchase didn't mean anything to the downtown project and the new town hall could go over there or even be built on the current location. The land purchase gave the town more options.
I had a guy ask me about LBTD in the grocery store yesterday...I explained that from my perspective and what I knew about the other candidates, that the issue would go before the citizens in a referendum and that it would be up to the people. I was not running to be a moral barometer for 24,000 people.
Larry Kindley...I have seen your post on the other blog and frankly I would like to answer your questions but the only way for me to do that is to have you ask them on my blog. Since the other blog censors every comment that does not agree with theirs, I can't get my answers to you. About your concern for the "ditch digging" you called in in Ms. Howe's neighborhood. The meetings I have attended indicated that that was where the most flooding is occurring and peoples homes are actually flooding(we are in a drought and no one is flooding currently.) The town engineer and staff have a list of the flooding in the town and by far the worse was in this particular neighborhood. The other neighborhoods that are having trouble will be fixed as well and the stormwater fees will fix hopefully all the neighborhoods will be fixed.

IT FAMILY FUN DAY

Saturday marked the 3rd annual Family Fun Day. Having attended all three so far I can say without a doubt the event is growing and getting better. The town staff, sponsors, elected officials, and volunteers should all be commended for a job well done. If we could just have had the thermostat turned down a few degrees, it would have been perfect. I know my kids enjoyed the inflatable area and the face painting as well as our own locally owned Hank's Custard.
Since I was doing some campaigning the people I encountered seemed very receptive and encouraged about the choices this election had to offer. The issues I heard most about were the traffic, taxes, and police protection. In a lesser degree the downtown project and LBTD came up but not as much as the other issues.
Job well done to the town for holding an event that is growing each and every year.

Blog By Any Other Name

It seems that my previous post disturbed some people from the other blog. They make sure to tell everyone that the blog is not, have never, will never, be associated with developers, politicians, candidates and apparently everyone else. They did it because of the current town council and followers *i guess thats me??*
So a few questions come to mind for the other blog.
1. Has it just been in the last 2 years that the actions of the council upset you?
2. What happened specifically that got you to this point?
3. Had you been happy the previous of say...10 years? If yes see #4.
4. If happy previous 10 years...then what made you so happy with the town?

These are just some of the questions I have. I have more, but since you insist on hiding its very hard to ask questions. So we play this cat and mouse via blogs. Doesn't make for a frank and open discussion but thats your choice not mine. I have tried to reply on your blog numerous times using my real name but alas all in vane. Your restrictive response allowance and my normal belief that you don't have the whole story seems to put us at odds.
It was nice to see you deny all associations with politicians, candidates, past and present, groups, and all but still another question comes to mind...Are we just suppose to take your word for your statements? Though the denials have been made, the one thing remains true...no one still knows your identity!!! For me, it sort of takes away from your arguements, just doesn't add credibility.

ANOTHER BLOG

It is amazing to me the amount of hatred in some people. It may not be hatred as much as it is being un-informed. Since starting this blog I have posted all responses but one. That one wasn't clear to me what they were speaking of and I never posted it. I have a problem with those people that are willing to criticize and name call without the guts to own up to the comments. They hide behind aliases with their acidic comments I guess feeling superior to all and yet not willing to show their identity. The cowardness masks other social problems I believe these people have but thats another story.
There is another blog, associated with my opponents from the special interest group that is trying to take over the town. I don't know for a fact because they also hide behind aliases. They state that they are about sharing ideas and infoming. Neither of which is true. They dot their blog with half-truths and restrict access to making comments to those that only believe or agree with them. Its their right to do so as is mine but I believe if you are going to argue a point you might want to know the facts. The attempt at the sensationalistic banter they allow is vile. Name calling and personal attacks are not arguing a point...if you don't agree with me fine..give me your best argument. Don't make some silly statement and say it a bunch of times and expect it to become true. A lie is a lie no matter how many times you tell it. A person unwilling to identify themselves find it hard to believe that I can mak a judgement about someone in only a few moments. That person is wrong...I haven't met them yet but I have formed a judgement of them. For the record, myself and John Hullinger are not running together. Does that mean I won't help him with his distribution...no because I plan to help him. The word is "synergy". We are not running in tandem similar to the three headed hydra from the special interest group.
I would rather see John Hullinger elected than anyone of the three of them....in fact to me, its a shame that anyone of the three will hold a seat on the council...the damage three of them could do is immense. The only way to take the wind out of their sails is to not re-elect the Mayor and limit them to one seat. Its not up to me unfortunately, its up to the citizens of the town to make that decision. Hopefully, they will make the decisions in Mr. Hullinger's and my favor. We will see the night of November 6th.
Thank you.

Proposed Land Purchases

The newspapers have run articles recently stating that the town by a 4-1 vote has decided to purchase the Raco and Blythe properties. On the surface it seems like a very good idea for a couple of reasons. The proposed purchase affords the town the opportunity to utitlize the 8,000 sq ft Blythe building as a temporary town hall. This accomodates the staff and space problem that has caused the town to put in the mobile office you see now. It does so at a price that is fair and logistically speaking well positions the town for the future. None of the articles indicated the council voting for the purchase ever ruled out the Downtown project as a location for the new Town Hall. The new town hall was estimated to cost in the neighborhood of $8 million dollars without land and furnishings. Let's just round that number to $10 million. The rushed downtown project has had flaws from the start. Never mind the developer waited 15-17 months after approval to seek easing of 16 of 44 conditions placed upon it by a split council. There has been issues with stormwater, railroad, roads, taking of private lands, and last but not least the sewer/water permit. The proposed land purchase by the town enables them to look at other options for a new town hall especially since there is no guarantee that sewer/water will ever be awarded in the near future and the lack of a workable traffic study may cause more delays.
No surprise that it is reported the Mayor and the towns very own special interest group is against the proposed land purchase. Considering she and the three candidates from the special interest group are being backed by the developer building the downtown project. The mayor stated, "In my opinion, a town hall should be centrally located and a symbol of vision into the future; the heartbeat of a thriving area." Correct me if I am wrong but all three properties in question are centrally located in the downtown area aren't they? I am willing to bet that the distance off the road to the Blythe building is very close to the distance off the road where the new town hall was proposed to be built on the project area. Its not like the Blythe building is off the beaten path and you have to take 3 forms of transportation to get there. Apparently, the Mayor believes the only way for a town hall to be a "vision into the future" is that it has to be built on a grand scale and cost $10 million dollars. Especially if you add in the land swap deal that gives away town assets. The land swap proposed by the Mayor and the majority of the previous council had to be the worse deal in recent history for anyone other than the developer.
The town of Wesley Chapel got a 6 acre gift from the developer doing the downtown project there...we got what? In essence, we gave our assets for an overinflated piece of property to put our extremely decadent new town hall on. The Wesley Chapel project is 44 acres without the 6 gifted, and on it is proposed retail and commercial and not one square foot of residential. We have our 47 acre project with 79% residential (condo, townhomes, and apartments 604 total) and 21% retail/commercial. The Wesley Chapel project has I believe 8 lanes of traffic to afford multiple entrances and exits. We have 2 major lanes and a need to take private land to subsidize the developer for another entrance to a two lane road. If the town hall is not built in the project area, doesn't that enable more retail and commercial space which has been touted as a good tax base? Don't get me wrong, with all its faults that were compounded by the actions of the previous council majority, the downtown project can be good for the town. Since it has been passed, the project will eventually be completed but as the develper stated it will take up to 2 years for completion even if all goes as planned.
So, the current council wants to purchase land reported with renovations $1.6 million dollars. The Mayor and special interest group wants the $10 million dollar white elephant yesterday. The town budget this year was right at $6 million with very little reserve. The question is what does the citizens of the town want to pay for? Is the new town hall more important than public safety? Do you want both? Are you willing to see tax rates at least double to pay for the grandeur of the project?
The vote to purchase the land was not in her favor and she has implied that the process was corrupt...*my words* citizens did not have a say in the process. True..the process has been done so far in closed sessions where land negotiations are done to avoid a run up in price. The council disclosed the proposed land purchase when appropriate and will now have a public hearing on the matter. After that public hearing maybe we should have a public hearing on the proposed new town hall and whether the citizens want it in the project area? We should discuss the infamous land swap while we are at it so we can put this issue to rest once and for all.
The proposed land purchase gives the town options and increases the size of the overall downtown presence. "Downtown" does not have to be located on one 47 acre piece of land or at least 21% of 47 acres. What about the other areas in downtown...existing buildings...they are in the overlay district and subject to rules of the downtown. There are many questions that need to be answered in order to move our downtown forward. Questions some will not want to answer. There are other bigger issues though in our town than the new town hall and project area. Public safety, taxes, roads, traffic, the other villages in the town..will they expect a subsidy for build out? The new town all has to be put into perspective, not allowed to be put on the top 5 issues facing our town.

CROSSROAD FOR INDIAN TRAIL

Indian Trail is at a crossroads this election. The only potential returning person to the council is the Mayor. She has to overcome her less than stellar reputation in order to repeat. Two strong candidates that are fresh and willing to work with the council wait in the wings. Both challengers appear to have integrity, honesty, and the ability to work with others something the current mayor has not been able to display in the past 2 years.
The race for the three open council seats seem to be a David vs Goliath situation. The Goliath in this case is the special interest group called ITCFP that has 3 of their officers running for office. They are well organized, well funded thanks to developer money, they have their opinions just like everyone else on how to run the town and in fact take it a step further with the aire of superiority that is unmatched in this election. Their attitude that their way is the best and that they all have to be elected in order to change the course of the town. Indicates to me that they would be unwilling or unable to work with others on the board to get things done. The other thing to keep in mind is if these 3 are elected to the council the question has to be ..Why would they listen to any common citizen?? They won't have to unless it matches their opinions.
The David's in this group are myself and John Hullinger. Though I don't know Mr. Hullinger well, the two times I have met him, he seems to be very intelligent and able to work with people with a decent attitude. Neither Lee Godwin nor John Hullinger will take donations from people that may want something from the council in the future...ie developers, real estate people, and so on. My campaign is being run on a shoestring unlike that of the well funded special interest group that has already started with color flyers in neighborhoods. They are trying to buy the election for their group and expect a lot more prior to the election. I just won't spend a lot of money for a position that is designed to help the community. Why spend thousands of dollars to claim a position paying $200.00 per month?
To the voters:

1. Get to know the candidates, follow the money. Who stands to reap benefits if they are elected? Ask questions of the candidates.
2. Don't be swayed by slick advertising campaigns just because some can afford such things.
3. Get involved
4. VOTE....VOTE....VOTE Its the most important step in this process. The 3 candidates of the special interest group all live in the same neighborhood, all town business will come through them as will all the solutions. Do you really want to give one area that much power???