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Post by crash23 on Nov 28, 2009 11:36:26 GMT -8
I think there's a lot of people who have no clue it's going on, just like everything else in politics. I have a hunch there's a lot of supporters that thought it was going to get the vote so didn't bother showing up at the mtg. I think there's some who oppose it and they did show up - for the very same reason many supporters didn't. In the letter to the editor today the young man said the stadium didn't meet the criteria, but I doubt there is a definition for blight anywhere in the RDA legal papers (which happens all too often in the legal/political field) so it's left up to the council to determine what it is. Kinda scary when you leave it up to the politicos to determine definitions (just as Monica or Hillary - I'm sure there definition is different than Bill's). Many folks living in the neighborhood are opposed to it b/c the assumption is there will be an increase in traffic. Many are for it b/c there kids will use it. Both sides, to a large degree, are self-serving. I've yet to hear anyone come out with a clear vision for how the money could be better spent. I'd suggest turf for the THS baseball varsity diamond and improving the JV field... but that's self-serving And why not build a field, turf or not, for Pitman? THS has a field, so wouldn't it be fair to provide one for Pitman? What some fail to point out is that if they money is used for the THS field then the District will not have to use funds for field improvements - so they can be used elsewhere, thus the RDA money is indirectly benefiting (you would assume) education - and what better way could the money be spent? Are there uses for it for it by the city for public protection (police force, fire depts)? So far no one has made mention that there is... Even if it were, how long would it benefit these areas? My guess is less than 5 years. The football field improvements will last generations. What else could the money be used for that we can say that about? A public pool? Youth center? Wingstop? The Turf Crew came up with a clear vision for use of the RDA money, so far the opponents have not. Perhaps that's why their opposition is ultimately failing?
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Post by Chris on Nov 28, 2009 22:18:09 GMT -8
The neighbors knew what they were getting into when they moved close to the HS. Consequently, I have no sympathy for them. It happens primarily during football season - whoop-dee-doo! Besides, I think it would be cool to hear the games from home.
The money can't offset police/fire salaries so that not a valid argument. I care less about the manner in which the money is used but rather about the decision making process. This City Council smells and feels like a crappy LL board. I miss Andre and the respect he brought to City's business. Now all we can do is lament how we allowed the Three Stooges to turn Turlock into Tammany Hall.
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Post by crash23 on Nov 29, 2009 11:40:47 GMT -8
The problem with most councils and boards - at any level - is that the people that would be good at it are smart enough not to do it... so you primarily end up with people who do it to satisfy their ego or for economic and political gain.
BTW, is that a Super Walmart being built just up the road in Ceres? Hmm, the city wanted to protect our businesses - but now tax revenue that could have gone to Turlock will go to Ceres. How many of our city folk do you think will make the short drive and shop there? My guess is quite a few... I gotta hunch the businesses the city tried to protect will still be hurt - and we are out millions in revenue. Brilliant!
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Post by Chris on Nov 29, 2009 11:52:41 GMT -8
I will make the drive...I think the protectionism the city practiced during the Wal-Mart fight was like putting a finger in the dike. It is tough to hold back progress; especially when progress comes with terrific discounts. Ultimately, many of the small businesses the City was trying to protect have failed anyway. So we've all lost twice.
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Post by Chris on Nov 29, 2009 17:53:03 GMT -8
Scrapper was here and certainly knows this subject matter better than anyone else who would visit here. Hmmm, why the silence Dave? LOL
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Post by Chris on Nov 29, 2009 22:27:00 GMT -8
Poll Results from the Turlock Urinal
Question: "Do you think the Turlock Redevelopment Agency should fund renovations to Joe Debely Stadium?"
Yes. 8 votes
Maybe, I need more information. 9 votes
No. 149 votes
166 voters? That is probably the Journal's entire list of subscribers....
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Post by trevor9 on Nov 30, 2009 7:48:08 GMT -8
WOW!!! Crash almost sounded intelligent for a second.....my guess is Leanna or one of the boys got his password.
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Post by Randy Edwards on Nov 30, 2009 15:41:24 GMT -8
News flash.. you won't have to drive north... but you have a choice....the big city of Livingston is also getting a Super Wal Mart.......way to stay on the map Turlock....
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Post by crash23 on Nov 30, 2009 17:47:31 GMT -8
Ceres or Livingston. Hmm, kinda like deciding which outhouse to use... Either way ya know they experience is gonna stink!
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Post by trevor9 on Dec 3, 2009 10:55:26 GMT -8
WTF- This is turning into a Wal-Mart forum......We don't need another sh!tbox store for more dirtbags to come to Turlock. They can shoplift in Ceres and deal dope in the parking lot in Livingston. Now back to baseball.
I heard the other day that the Eastlake Baseball Academy will merge with another well known Academy out of the bay area.
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Post by crash23 on Dec 3, 2009 11:31:50 GMT -8
What's withe the secrets Robocop? Which one? I assume NoRCal cuz it's the only "well known" bay area academy...
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Post by trevor9 on Dec 3, 2009 11:37:35 GMT -8
It could be the EJ Sport Titans/Warriors or it could be "The Norcal" but it is actually the Norcal Grizzlies. Tom Graham has met with Eastlake several times in the last few months to iron out the details and it looks like it will happen by January 2010.
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Post by scrapper on Dec 3, 2009 17:39:30 GMT -8
Hey Everybody, Its great that there is some discussion on this RDA thing, I have listened to your arguements and you guys should stick to baseball. ;D ;D
The Field thing is total bullshit. It is a total political play by the Turlock City Council. RDA is pretty complicated in terms of analyzing blight both physical and economic. I will try to explain it. The purpose of RDA is to repair blight by accruing debt for the purpose of increasing the property tax. (Also the school get a piece of that funding through pass throughs). The increase in property tax based on the improvement over time will be able to pay off the debt.
The problem is that Schools pay no property tax, they are an arm of the State. So in essence, the City took what 3 mil and pissed it away. Also, the school do not have to pay sales tax on ticket sales or anything of that nature. There is no revenue stream to pay back that debt. The Citizens of Turlock will be paying that back through the General Fund in a number of years (there goes more cops and firefighters). In most cases RDA is used as a economic development tool that will increase business that then fuels the rest of the economy. There are a lot of dynamics that play into this (i.e property owners, business owners, etc.)
I dont blame the school for taking the money, If I were them in this situation, go begging for some more. This Council is pathetic. That money can be used for infrastructure, small business loans, grants, all sorts of benefits to the City that all of the citizens in this town can enjoy.
I can't wait to drive on the crumbling roads that will take me to the emaculate field. I do think that a field is needed but to do it the way the City did was not right. If anybody wants to talk to me off-line let me know.
I could rattle on for hours, How bout that Chris.
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Post by scrapper on Dec 3, 2009 17:50:40 GMT -8
No Problem , I love when you guys go off on City Government, it cracks me up. ;D ;D I know its not fun or popular, but people need to be informed.
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Post by Chris on Dec 3, 2009 17:51:54 GMT -8
Thats just perfect buddy! Its great comments like these that I haven't heard even on the BEE, Turlock Urinal of DJ Fransen's TurlockCityNews.com sites. Thanks for enlightening everyone.
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