Our friend, "Local Reflector" responds:
You can't possibly believe that Cleveland was given the idea of "stealing" the federal courthouse by reading the Delta Democrat Times.
I do believe it's conceivable that the newspaper followed on rumors - or not such rumors - and something came of it. If the DDT has influenced such a momentous change of venue for the federal courthouse, they deserve credit which cannot be measured. These things take too much time to organize. Because Greenville leaders didn't know what was at play - that's just par for the course and reflects more on Washington County's relationship with state/federal leaders than anything.The federal courthouse is NOT the final nail in Greenville's coffin if it leaves, no more than Textron's departure was the "final" nail.
I can't imagine there's a ton of economic "boom" in the federal courthouse's job creating possibilities. There is a ton of "prestige factor" that stands to relocate into Cleveland should it actually move.When an existing casino pulls up anchor and sails away, get worried. That's would be over a million in tax revenue floating away. Monopolized gaming ownership makes this, somewhat, a possibility however unlikely it may be.
Greenville's lost its annual cultural offerings this past year. The medical market is "correcting" after a half-decade of an arms race to see which hospital "wins." So, there are other agenda items which probably stand higher in scope than the Federal Courthouse.
For debate's sake, that's my opinion. There's the disclaimer.The paper was ahead of this issue in media reporting terms. But, the idea that Cleveland would recruit the Federal courthouse is an idea, that I'd bet a million dollars, beat any newspaper headline by at least months.
Forthright: Okay, Stealing might be a rather harsh word. Recruiting seems more appropriate. Anyone who has visited Cleveland lately can certainly see that there are vast differences between Cleveland and Greenville.
Cleveland has a downtown area that is flourishing with quaint shops and restaurants. Residential real estate is difficult to find on the current market and businesses are actually moving into Cleveland. Their public schools are quite good and Cleveland's health care facilities are thriving.
Sure, they have DSU, Baxters and several other prosperous industries, but why do you think these businesses chose Cleveland over Greenville? It has to do with "quality" of life and the community's vision. As a community, Cleveland looks forward in anticipation and growth. Greenville simply looks back with remorse.
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Traitors Amoug Us?
I am so over Ray Humphries.
Speak to me about the possible loss of our FRICKIN' FEDERAL BUILDING and the final nail in the coffin for Greenville. And tell me this: did the newspaper or did they not stir up this kettle of bull? It seems to the casual observer that the Suits in Bolivar County didn't get the big idea until the DDT handed it to them in their "newspaper."
And for that matter, I don't recall a challenge to that fact being printed in the DDT, yet Reily felt the need to address the implied finger-pointing. Hmmmmm.
Et tu, Brute?
Speak to me about the possible loss of our FRICKIN' FEDERAL BUILDING and the final nail in the coffin for Greenville. And tell me this: did the newspaper or did they not stir up this kettle of bull? It seems to the casual observer that the Suits in Bolivar County didn't get the big idea until the DDT handed it to them in their "newspaper."
And for that matter, I don't recall a challenge to that fact being printed in the DDT, yet Reily felt the need to address the implied finger-pointing. Hmmmmm.
Et tu, Brute?
Monday, August 28, 2006
Five Questions, No Answers
Well, you have to hand it to Ray Humphreys who is quoted in Sunday's DDT as saying, "Debt is a tool commonly utilized in the business world as a means to grow a business." (Delta Regional carries a $25 million debt).
Ray goes on to say that, "DRMC's administration and Board of Trustees regard prudent management of the county's most valuable asset as a very serious responsibility, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta region."
Okay, let's look at the first quote. It is actually true that debt (management) can be a tool to expand a business, but what have we expanded? We have the same services, the same hospitals, fewer patient beds, fewer doctors, nurses and jobs! More (paying) patients are fleeing Greenville to receive care in Jackson and Memphis. So, where's the growth?
Ray attributes $21 million of the current debt to the purchase of KDH. That would mean that DRMC amassed $4 million in debt either prior to the merger, or since. Ray seems to really believe in this "debt theory" of growth! How much more "growth" can we afford, Ray?
On to Ray's second revelation. If the county's most valuable asset is $25 million in debt due to the "prudent management" of Ray and his current administration, it is not surprising that Ray considers it an "honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta."
If I incurred $25 million in debt for my boss, I would indeed consider it a true honor and a privilege to still have a job. Obviously, no one checked with Hattiesburg prior to entrusting our most valuable asset to Ray. If they had, they would have seen the same pattern of unbridled waste spending that we have now inherited.
So, when will it all end? How much more "growth" will it take for the taxpayers of Washington County to realize that the one thing that we can no longer afford... is Ray Humphreys.
Forthright
Ray goes on to say that, "DRMC's administration and Board of Trustees regard prudent management of the county's most valuable asset as a very serious responsibility, and we consider it an honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta region."
Okay, let's look at the first quote. It is actually true that debt (management) can be a tool to expand a business, but what have we expanded? We have the same services, the same hospitals, fewer patient beds, fewer doctors, nurses and jobs! More (paying) patients are fleeing Greenville to receive care in Jackson and Memphis. So, where's the growth?
Ray attributes $21 million of the current debt to the purchase of KDH. That would mean that DRMC amassed $4 million in debt either prior to the merger, or since. Ray seems to really believe in this "debt theory" of growth! How much more "growth" can we afford, Ray?
On to Ray's second revelation. If the county's most valuable asset is $25 million in debt due to the "prudent management" of Ray and his current administration, it is not surprising that Ray considers it an "honor and a privilege to continue to serve the residents of the Delta."
If I incurred $25 million in debt for my boss, I would indeed consider it a true honor and a privilege to still have a job. Obviously, no one checked with Hattiesburg prior to entrusting our most valuable asset to Ray. If they had, they would have seen the same pattern of unbridled waste spending that we have now inherited.
So, when will it all end? How much more "growth" will it take for the taxpayers of Washington County to realize that the one thing that we can no longer afford... is Ray Humphreys.
Forthright
Monday, August 14, 2006
Back to "Scoop" Days
Okay, is everyone on vacation? I take a few days off and the entire Delta gets quiet. Let's hear from you. I have made commenting on the Scoop even easier by eliminating the need for a pen name or an email address. All you need to do is send me your ideas, rants, raves or topics for discussion and let's see what develops.
July and August certainly seem to be the months that most Deltan's travel. Whether I visit Destin, Gulf Shores or even NYC, I never fail to meet two or three people from the Delta. For a diverse community, we certainly seem to stick together when it comes to vacations.
So... the kids have gone back to school... so let's get back to Scoop.
Forthright
July and August certainly seem to be the months that most Deltan's travel. Whether I visit Destin, Gulf Shores or even NYC, I never fail to meet two or three people from the Delta. For a diverse community, we certainly seem to stick together when it comes to vacations.
So... the kids have gone back to school... so let's get back to Scoop.
Forthright
Sunday, July 30, 2006
"L.R." Predicts No Winners
Great point on an area providing "basic medical care." What the community may be experiencing is a situation where DRMC tried everything it could to get over a medical services "hump" and couldn't quite get there. In its failed wake comes reduced hours for employees, etc.
The area is returning to the status of "basic medical care" - which, by the way, isn't a right but a privilege that should be cherished, appreciated and supported within limits of acceptable service on behalf of medical providers.
The KDH takeover, like it or not, guaranteed the DRMC reign is now permanent. No competition will enter the fray for an intra-city battle for medical supremacy. KDH is gone and gone is the competitive fire that makes leaders creative and more efficient. Employees have nowhere to turn should DRMC reduce hours or benefits - especially they're "of the Delta" and can't fathom any better place to call home.
It will be difficult to discern any winners if management changes because the changes will be brought by financial struggles and other maladies whether self-inflicted or not. Someone loses their job...the community sees its only hospital on a shaky foundation (especially with Medicaid reimbursements being scrutinized)...the hospital can only cut back on its services, thus making it anti-competitive with regional medical offerings and county leaders face prospects of using tax money to bail a bucket-full of red ink.
The taxpayer gets it no matter what. I must admit that some clouds have no silver lining.
L.R. is right about DRMC. There will be no winners... not locally anyway. Proprietary health care (privately owned) will boom in the 21st century, as health care costs explode. Public funding sources will quickly run dry and the private investor will be the last salvation of public health care as we know it.
Actually, it's a pretty safe investment. Given the declining health of most Americans, particularly in the South, I can only see the need for more and better health care facilities.
Health care won't be the first industry that turned to private investors for its survival... look at the auto and oil industries. If I had to bet on the security of my investment in one of these three industries, I would surely choose health care. Oil prices fluctuate as do auto sales in proportion, but when was the last time you heard someone predict that the need for, or cost of, health care would be declining.
As for DRMC's future, no one can be certain. As stewards of public funds, the administration must be held accountable and be responsive to the public's wishes. If the winds of change are truly blowing, lets hope they bring the needed changes to our faltering health care facilities.
Forthright
The area is returning to the status of "basic medical care" - which, by the way, isn't a right but a privilege that should be cherished, appreciated and supported within limits of acceptable service on behalf of medical providers.
The KDH takeover, like it or not, guaranteed the DRMC reign is now permanent. No competition will enter the fray for an intra-city battle for medical supremacy. KDH is gone and gone is the competitive fire that makes leaders creative and more efficient. Employees have nowhere to turn should DRMC reduce hours or benefits - especially they're "of the Delta" and can't fathom any better place to call home.
It will be difficult to discern any winners if management changes because the changes will be brought by financial struggles and other maladies whether self-inflicted or not. Someone loses their job...the community sees its only hospital on a shaky foundation (especially with Medicaid reimbursements being scrutinized)...the hospital can only cut back on its services, thus making it anti-competitive with regional medical offerings and county leaders face prospects of using tax money to bail a bucket-full of red ink.
The taxpayer gets it no matter what. I must admit that some clouds have no silver lining.
L.R. is right about DRMC. There will be no winners... not locally anyway. Proprietary health care (privately owned) will boom in the 21st century, as health care costs explode. Public funding sources will quickly run dry and the private investor will be the last salvation of public health care as we know it.
Actually, it's a pretty safe investment. Given the declining health of most Americans, particularly in the South, I can only see the need for more and better health care facilities.
Health care won't be the first industry that turned to private investors for its survival... look at the auto and oil industries. If I had to bet on the security of my investment in one of these three industries, I would surely choose health care. Oil prices fluctuate as do auto sales in proportion, but when was the last time you heard someone predict that the need for, or cost of, health care would be declining.
As for DRMC's future, no one can be certain. As stewards of public funds, the administration must be held accountable and be responsive to the public's wishes. If the winds of change are truly blowing, lets hope they bring the needed changes to our faltering health care facilities.
Forthright
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Musings and Mules...
The word on the street is that DRMC may soon be under new ownership, or at least management. Of course, this has been rumored since shortly after the merger of the two hospitals, so who knows where the truth lies. I have many friends who work at DRMC and two have reported that work hours are being cut in an effort to save money. That is a commendable effort, but it may be too little, too late.
If providing cost efficient health care was among DRMC's long range goals, purchasing King's Daughters was not a very wise decision. What happened to the vision of a new hospital? Why are so many local physicians leaving the area? Most hospital mergers are intended to eliminate duplicated services, allowing for new technology and expanded services. So what new or expanded services have we seen as a result of this merger?
Of course it is easy to look down from 40 thousand feet and still miss the big picture... but, I just don't see it. Quality medical care is vital to Greenville's ability to attract industry and jobs. Health care and Education in the Delta share one unfortunate commonality. Both are viewed by citizens as entitlements which should largely be supported by our tax dollars. As tax payers (or not) we should all have access to public education and basic health care... and we do. However, if we expect "quality" and "positive outcomes" in either of these basic services, we must invariably turn to the private sector.
Let's face it, government run programs are generally not noted for their efficiency or effectiveness. I think the recent FEMA debacle proves that. I believe that it was Mr. Twain himself who so aptly stated, "The most efficient way to starve a mule to death is to put a government committee in charge of feeding him. The mule will die quickly and ultimately, there will be no one to blame."
Forthright
If providing cost efficient health care was among DRMC's long range goals, purchasing King's Daughters was not a very wise decision. What happened to the vision of a new hospital? Why are so many local physicians leaving the area? Most hospital mergers are intended to eliminate duplicated services, allowing for new technology and expanded services. So what new or expanded services have we seen as a result of this merger?
Of course it is easy to look down from 40 thousand feet and still miss the big picture... but, I just don't see it. Quality medical care is vital to Greenville's ability to attract industry and jobs. Health care and Education in the Delta share one unfortunate commonality. Both are viewed by citizens as entitlements which should largely be supported by our tax dollars. As tax payers (or not) we should all have access to public education and basic health care... and we do. However, if we expect "quality" and "positive outcomes" in either of these basic services, we must invariably turn to the private sector.
Let's face it, government run programs are generally not noted for their efficiency or effectiveness. I think the recent FEMA debacle proves that. I believe that it was Mr. Twain himself who so aptly stated, "The most efficient way to starve a mule to death is to put a government committee in charge of feeding him. The mule will die quickly and ultimately, there will be no one to blame."
Forthright
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
"Local Reflector" Speaks Up
Look higher up the social totem pole if we're searching for reasons why the work force isn't strong and why industry recruitment is such a tough job. To lay industrial recruiting efforts solely on the "lazy" gives the "lazy" class credit for working hard enough to actually ruin industrial development.
I'll argue that we should look to those who oppose too much Greenville connection to the proposed I-69 and those who oppose running I-69 through Bolivar County because it will make it more difficult to plow the fields. These are well-regarded families and individuals in the Delta....."visionaries."
The DDT piece on the I-69 disunity leading the interstate to omitting Washington County is more spot-on than readers will imagine. Greenville will continue drying up until that Inter state's built in 15-18 years IF base changes aren't made to leadership's thinking. Then, new infrastructure will only be a piece of the Economic Recovery Pie. The I-69 article was compelling but didn't hit the heart of this highway building issue as it's opposition is local in nature not at the bureaucratic levels.
Another article was the Greenville Public Schools' ten-point plan of action. The wording was vague and its terms are not measurable to any standards. But, it's a step forward from what previous school administrators have done. The people reflect the schools' abilities and vice versa. If you look at workforce issues, consider the training sources your tax dollars mandatorially (is that a word?) support and their effectiveness.
But, we run in circles on these issues and you keep paying an ever-growing tab. Sorry to hear about the balloon festival and air show. It's better to have no event than one that doesn't meet the standards of the organizers. Pretty much every major city event is on ice, isn't it? Besides the sanctimonious Blues Festival - that requires public financing but would fold had it been any other event - is anything standing on its own legs these days besides the Catfish Races?
I hate to break the news L.R., but not even the Blues Festival is flourishing! The first problem is that all of the true Blues artists are dying off. Note that the name has been changed to the "Delta Blues and Heritage Festival"... "heritage" encompassing everything from Rap to Reggae.
It is not the same Blues Fest that began in the '70's on the back of a flatbed trailer. I am a fan of Blues music and appreciate its true art form; but I abandoned the "Festival" years ago as its quality wained.
Surely Greenville's footnote in history will be more significant than "home of the catfish races".
Forthright
I'll argue that we should look to those who oppose too much Greenville connection to the proposed I-69 and those who oppose running I-69 through Bolivar County because it will make it more difficult to plow the fields. These are well-regarded families and individuals in the Delta....."visionaries."
The DDT piece on the I-69 disunity leading the interstate to omitting Washington County is more spot-on than readers will imagine. Greenville will continue drying up until that Inter state's built in 15-18 years IF base changes aren't made to leadership's thinking. Then, new infrastructure will only be a piece of the Economic Recovery Pie. The I-69 article was compelling but didn't hit the heart of this highway building issue as it's opposition is local in nature not at the bureaucratic levels.
Another article was the Greenville Public Schools' ten-point plan of action. The wording was vague and its terms are not measurable to any standards. But, it's a step forward from what previous school administrators have done. The people reflect the schools' abilities and vice versa. If you look at workforce issues, consider the training sources your tax dollars mandatorially (is that a word?) support and their effectiveness.
But, we run in circles on these issues and you keep paying an ever-growing tab. Sorry to hear about the balloon festival and air show. It's better to have no event than one that doesn't meet the standards of the organizers. Pretty much every major city event is on ice, isn't it? Besides the sanctimonious Blues Festival - that requires public financing but would fold had it been any other event - is anything standing on its own legs these days besides the Catfish Races?
I hate to break the news L.R., but not even the Blues Festival is flourishing! The first problem is that all of the true Blues artists are dying off. Note that the name has been changed to the "Delta Blues and Heritage Festival"... "heritage" encompassing everything from Rap to Reggae.
It is not the same Blues Fest that began in the '70's on the back of a flatbed trailer. I am a fan of Blues music and appreciate its true art form; but I abandoned the "Festival" years ago as its quality wained.
Surely Greenville's footnote in history will be more significant than "home of the catfish races".
Forthright
Monday, July 17, 2006
"Youth Movement" Responds
Really ??
Greenville can not compete with five dollar a day wages or sweatshops working children in a country that has no Government oversight, No minimum wage, If you loose your hand your just simply out of a job. Wake up !!
Quit blaming Greenville, Its leaders, Its people. Our problems are not unlike most Mississippi towns. I hope the south wind blows you and every negative thinker right out of this town.
I don't think that anyone is suggesting doing away with the minimum wage. Quite the contrary, the national push seems to be in favor of increasing it. After all, you can't even purchase 2 gallons of gas these days for $5.15.
The problem with the local workforce is not how much (or how little) we pay them, but their work ethics. Productivity and profit are the cornerstones of capitalism.
Example: You need someone to rake the leaves in your yard. Two people offer to do the job for you. Worker "A" offers to rake your entire yard for $20.00. Worker "B" says he will do the job for $6.00 per hour. Which offer do you take? Who do you think will finish the job first? Herein lies the question of ethics.
If Worker "A's" goal is to secure a steady income, he will do the job well in minimal time and move on to the next job, increasing his total wage per hour and increase his chance for future income. Conversely, if Worker "B's" goal is to simply "earn" $30 dollars, you can bet that your job will take him 5 hours, and you will probably never see him again.
No one is suggesting that we revert to indentured servitude.... simply an honest day's work, for an honest day's pay. It is our safety net of "entitlement programs" that has lowered the bar of workforce ethics... If I can earn $5.00+ per hour for "hanging out", why would I want to rake leaves?
Forthright
Greenville can not compete with five dollar a day wages or sweatshops working children in a country that has no Government oversight, No minimum wage, If you loose your hand your just simply out of a job. Wake up !!
Quit blaming Greenville, Its leaders, Its people. Our problems are not unlike most Mississippi towns. I hope the south wind blows you and every negative thinker right out of this town.
I don't think that anyone is suggesting doing away with the minimum wage. Quite the contrary, the national push seems to be in favor of increasing it. After all, you can't even purchase 2 gallons of gas these days for $5.15.
The problem with the local workforce is not how much (or how little) we pay them, but their work ethics. Productivity and profit are the cornerstones of capitalism.
Example: You need someone to rake the leaves in your yard. Two people offer to do the job for you. Worker "A" offers to rake your entire yard for $20.00. Worker "B" says he will do the job for $6.00 per hour. Which offer do you take? Who do you think will finish the job first? Herein lies the question of ethics.
If Worker "A's" goal is to secure a steady income, he will do the job well in minimal time and move on to the next job, increasing his total wage per hour and increase his chance for future income. Conversely, if Worker "B's" goal is to simply "earn" $30 dollars, you can bet that your job will take him 5 hours, and you will probably never see him again.
No one is suggesting that we revert to indentured servitude.... simply an honest day's work, for an honest day's pay. It is our safety net of "entitlement programs" that has lowered the bar of workforce ethics... If I can earn $5.00+ per hour for "hanging out", why would I want to rake leaves?
Forthright
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Workforce Woes
NAFTA has little to do with the job situation in Greenville. The problem lies within the community. Industry will move here because it can get cheap labor, only to find out later that the workers are not worth even bothering with. And that hurts the qualified skilled labor force that can actually provide reliable service to an employer.
The whining, welfare workforce in this town will forever make it even less desirable to future investors unless they just want people to push brooms or hire the type that stand in the aisles of Wal-Mart to ignore you.
If the North wind blows in the smell of cooking rice to the city, I wonder what comes through when the South wind passes over the waste water treatment plant?
The writer makes a good point. It is difficult to find people in the Delta who truly want to work. Sure they take the job when offered, but they fail to see the connection between performance and paycheck.
If they pass a pre-employment drug screen, which is a big "if" in the Delta, employees enter a race to see who can do the least for the longest. If you address their performance, you are being discriminatory because "no one else does any more than me"... which in most cases, is true.
They don't care if they are fired because they can then get unemployment, food stamps, TANF, and eventually disability income. Most will qualify for Medicaid which provides the same level of medical care provided through employee benefits, for a mere $3.00 co-pay.
So, what are the incentives for a person to enter the unskilled workforce of the Delta? They are all listed above. You have to have worked to qualify for most of the state and federal assistance programs, so to take a job and then lose it, becomes the only prequalifying event.
What has been created in the Delta is a subculture who is very adept at how to "work the system". The result is that programs intended to be temporary subsistence for the needy have evolved into full time careers for the lazy.
We created this system and have permitted its abuse for years. As I stated before, not until we make working more lucrative than not working, will we attract a workforce that values a job.
Forthright
The whining, welfare workforce in this town will forever make it even less desirable to future investors unless they just want people to push brooms or hire the type that stand in the aisles of Wal-Mart to ignore you.
If the North wind blows in the smell of cooking rice to the city, I wonder what comes through when the South wind passes over the waste water treatment plant?
The writer makes a good point. It is difficult to find people in the Delta who truly want to work. Sure they take the job when offered, but they fail to see the connection between performance and paycheck.
If they pass a pre-employment drug screen, which is a big "if" in the Delta, employees enter a race to see who can do the least for the longest. If you address their performance, you are being discriminatory because "no one else does any more than me"... which in most cases, is true.
They don't care if they are fired because they can then get unemployment, food stamps, TANF, and eventually disability income. Most will qualify for Medicaid which provides the same level of medical care provided through employee benefits, for a mere $3.00 co-pay.
So, what are the incentives for a person to enter the unskilled workforce of the Delta? They are all listed above. You have to have worked to qualify for most of the state and federal assistance programs, so to take a job and then lose it, becomes the only prequalifying event.
What has been created in the Delta is a subculture who is very adept at how to "work the system". The result is that programs intended to be temporary subsistence for the needy have evolved into full time careers for the lazy.
We created this system and have permitted its abuse for years. As I stated before, not until we make working more lucrative than not working, will we attract a workforce that values a job.
Forthright
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Bringing Up the Rear
So much for my decoding of cryptic messages... another anonymous writer clues me in on the previous cinema quote...
"IMHO, the other anonymous writer, is speaking in satire. Robert Duvall was standing in the middle of a battlefield with everything being blown up around him when he made the statement.... smells like victory.
Industry in Greenville has been blown to hell and the city still thinks that it is winning in the effort to find jobs. MasterFools is not expanding off it's property. It is actually shrinking it's manpower and support for some of the remaining hourly employees. Any skilled labor that is looking for work in Greenville needs to turn elsewhere. Salaries around here are being evaluated by the wages paid when this town was a cotton king - real cheap.
Greenville and Washington County may hail many laurels in their endeavors to improve business and employment, but everytime I see a company hire in people for the lowest wages that they can, it makes me sick. The Delta is the laughing stock of the nation and Greenville is the handle of the stick. "
"Laughing stock of the nation"... I doubt that we are that important, but the message is clear, you get what you pay for. I believe that it was a Textron manager who coined the phrase "Delta time", which is defined as getting 40 minutes of productivity for 60 minutes of pay. Until we make "working" more lucrative than "not working", we will continue to be at the rear of the pack. As they say in Alaska about sled-dogs, "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."
Forthright
"IMHO, the other anonymous writer, is speaking in satire. Robert Duvall was standing in the middle of a battlefield with everything being blown up around him when he made the statement.... smells like victory.
Industry in Greenville has been blown to hell and the city still thinks that it is winning in the effort to find jobs. MasterFools is not expanding off it's property. It is actually shrinking it's manpower and support for some of the remaining hourly employees. Any skilled labor that is looking for work in Greenville needs to turn elsewhere. Salaries around here are being evaluated by the wages paid when this town was a cotton king - real cheap.
Greenville and Washington County may hail many laurels in their endeavors to improve business and employment, but everytime I see a company hire in people for the lowest wages that they can, it makes me sick. The Delta is the laughing stock of the nation and Greenville is the handle of the stick. "
"Laughing stock of the nation"... I doubt that we are that important, but the message is clear, you get what you pay for. I believe that it was a Textron manager who coined the phrase "Delta time", which is defined as getting 40 minutes of productivity for 60 minutes of pay. Until we make "working" more lucrative than "not working", we will continue to be at the rear of the pack. As they say in Alaska about sled-dogs, "If you're not the lead dog, the view never changes."
Forthright
Saturday, July 08, 2006
The Way We Were
While doing a little (late) spring cleaning in my attic, I ran across a very old document entitled 1850 Census by State. For the state of Mississippi, it reported census numbers by county. It was quite interesting, so I thought I would share what our county looked like 156 years ago. I tried to scan the document; however, it was not legible when I tried to post it, so I will simply relate each statistic as recorded in the 1850 Census of Washington County:
White Males: 339
White Females: 207
White Total: 546
Colored Free: 7
Colored Slave: 7,836
All Classes, Male: 4,402
All Classes, Female: 3,987
Total Population 1850: 8,389
Total Population 1840: 7,287
Born out of state (US): 368
Born in Foreign Country: 21
Total Dwellings: 126
Total Families: 126
White Scholars during Year: 53
Whites 5 and under 20 years old: 131
Whites over 20 unable to read & write: 1
Accommodation of Churches (Persons): 300
Doing a little math, it would appear that each "dwelling / family" was comprised of 4.3 people. We can assume that these are white families, since there were only 7 freed slaves at the time. Apparently each "family" had a "dwelling", so we can infer that the concept of the duplex had yet to be invented.
Washington County was 94% black ("colored") which was owned by the other 6% (white). That would allow for each white male to own approximately 23 slaves each (women couldn't own slaves). You have to wonder what those 7 freed slaves were doing.
As for education, we did pretty well. We had 53 Scholars and only one white person over 20 who could not read and write. It should be noted that "Scholars" most likely refers to grammar school graduates since there were no colleges or universities at the time.
It appears that there were adequate church pews for the white population in 1850. I doubt that slaves were allowed to worship in mass.
From 1840 to 1850, Washington County increased its population by 14%, although, my bet would be that slaves accounted for a large part of that figure. It is interesting to step back and see where we were just 150 years ago. Much has changed. It is equally as interesting to project what Washington County, Mississippi, will look like in the next century.
Forthright
White Males: 339
White Females: 207
White Total: 546
Colored Free: 7
Colored Slave: 7,836
All Classes, Male: 4,402
All Classes, Female: 3,987
Total Population 1850: 8,389
Total Population 1840: 7,287
Born out of state (US): 368
Born in Foreign Country: 21
Total Dwellings: 126
Total Families: 126
White Scholars during Year: 53
Whites 5 and under 20 years old: 131
Whites over 20 unable to read & write: 1
Accommodation of Churches (Persons): 300
Doing a little math, it would appear that each "dwelling / family" was comprised of 4.3 people. We can assume that these are white families, since there were only 7 freed slaves at the time. Apparently each "family" had a "dwelling", so we can infer that the concept of the duplex had yet to be invented.
Washington County was 94% black ("colored") which was owned by the other 6% (white). That would allow for each white male to own approximately 23 slaves each (women couldn't own slaves). You have to wonder what those 7 freed slaves were doing.
As for education, we did pretty well. We had 53 Scholars and only one white person over 20 who could not read and write. It should be noted that "Scholars" most likely refers to grammar school graduates since there were no colleges or universities at the time.
It appears that there were adequate church pews for the white population in 1850. I doubt that slaves were allowed to worship in mass.
From 1840 to 1850, Washington County increased its population by 14%, although, my bet would be that slaves accounted for a large part of that figure. It is interesting to step back and see where we were just 150 years ago. Much has changed. It is equally as interesting to project what Washington County, Mississippi, will look like in the next century.
Forthright
Friday, July 07, 2006
Scoop for the "Scoop"?
This cryptic message was submitted by an anonymous writer:
"I love the smell of MasterFoods in the morning. It smells like....industry.
Ha! A fan of Robert Duvall!"
I can only assume that this comment may have something to do with the secret industry that Washington County has been courting. Of course MasterFoods is already in Greenville, but perhaps they are proposing some type of expansion or new product line. This is only speculation on my part, but if true, it would be great news for Greenville.
Perhaps the anonymous author would care to confirm or deny my assumptions.
Forthright
"I love the smell of MasterFoods in the morning. It smells like....industry.
Ha! A fan of Robert Duvall!"
I can only assume that this comment may have something to do with the secret industry that Washington County has been courting. Of course MasterFoods is already in Greenville, but perhaps they are proposing some type of expansion or new product line. This is only speculation on my part, but if true, it would be great news for Greenville.
Perhaps the anonymous author would care to confirm or deny my assumptions.
Forthright
Tuesday, July 04, 2006
More Thoughts and Happy 4th!
"Red Dog" offers this observation:
Money talks, bullshit walks. Again, show me the organizations chomping at the bits to have a convention in downtown Greenville, Mississippi, USA, that will pour a couple of million, with an "M" into the local economy.
Take the family to Disney World for that weekend and grin and bear it. You support the casinos, don't you? Oh, I forget, I see you all in Tunica and Vicksburg on the weekends..
What hypocrites!
Another anonymous writer posts:
OK, here's the deal. Showfest has broad appeal to the lowest common denominator of the area. The segment of the population that pays property taxes and owns businesses and purchases the hefty car tags DOES NOT SUBSIDIZE SHOWFEST. Yes, they are in the minority. Yes, that is regrettable; Greenville was a hub of cultural activity at one point.
The continued loss of the business/leisure class has resulted in a ridiculous grab for a skinfest---excuse me----Showfest as an alternative to actual entertainment and hopeful revenue for the City.
I think it's time to let Showfest drive off into the sunset. Deltans will never agree on the definition or value of entertainment. If we did, we wouldn't need 95 different television channels and multiple sets in each home.
Those who say good riddance to Showfest assert that we have lowered or compromised our standards for the sake of the almighty buck. Is this true? Well, it depends on your anticipated goals. Consider...
If you enjoy fishing for the sake of enjoyment and recreation, your ultimate goal may be to spend quality time outdoors with family or friends. Whether you come home with a string of fish is secondary to the simple enjoyment of fishing.
However, if your livelihood depends on fishing, you best be well informed about where the fish are located, what type of bait to use, as well as when you have fished a hole dry, so you can move on to another. Your survival depends on it.
So, money will continue to be made on events like Showfest... it just won't be in Greenville. There are plenty of good "anglers" out there that will welcome the opportunity to bring home that sizable catch.
The question now becomes, "What is Greenville willing to support?" We don't support local bars and restaurants. We don't support cultural or literary events. We don't support professional sporting events. We don't even support local health care facilities, merchants, or even our own airport. How many times have you driven to Jackson or Memphis to shop, see a doctor, or catch a flight?
At the end of the day, what we don't support most, it each other. We expect outsiders to want to invest in our community and then criticise them for expecting to make a profit. Question... If you inherited 10 million dollars today on the sole condition that you stay in Greenville and open a business, what would that business be?
In closing, Happy 4th to all. Go out to Shelban Park and support our local efforts to celebrate our independence!
Forthright
Money talks, bullshit walks. Again, show me the organizations chomping at the bits to have a convention in downtown Greenville, Mississippi, USA, that will pour a couple of million, with an "M" into the local economy.
Take the family to Disney World for that weekend and grin and bear it. You support the casinos, don't you? Oh, I forget, I see you all in Tunica and Vicksburg on the weekends..
What hypocrites!
Another anonymous writer posts:
OK, here's the deal. Showfest has broad appeal to the lowest common denominator of the area. The segment of the population that pays property taxes and owns businesses and purchases the hefty car tags DOES NOT SUBSIDIZE SHOWFEST. Yes, they are in the minority. Yes, that is regrettable; Greenville was a hub of cultural activity at one point.
The continued loss of the business/leisure class has resulted in a ridiculous grab for a skinfest---excuse me----Showfest as an alternative to actual entertainment and hopeful revenue for the City.
I think it's time to let Showfest drive off into the sunset. Deltans will never agree on the definition or value of entertainment. If we did, we wouldn't need 95 different television channels and multiple sets in each home.
Those who say good riddance to Showfest assert that we have lowered or compromised our standards for the sake of the almighty buck. Is this true? Well, it depends on your anticipated goals. Consider...
If you enjoy fishing for the sake of enjoyment and recreation, your ultimate goal may be to spend quality time outdoors with family or friends. Whether you come home with a string of fish is secondary to the simple enjoyment of fishing.
However, if your livelihood depends on fishing, you best be well informed about where the fish are located, what type of bait to use, as well as when you have fished a hole dry, so you can move on to another. Your survival depends on it.
So, money will continue to be made on events like Showfest... it just won't be in Greenville. There are plenty of good "anglers" out there that will welcome the opportunity to bring home that sizable catch.
The question now becomes, "What is Greenville willing to support?" We don't support local bars and restaurants. We don't support cultural or literary events. We don't support professional sporting events. We don't even support local health care facilities, merchants, or even our own airport. How many times have you driven to Jackson or Memphis to shop, see a doctor, or catch a flight?
At the end of the day, what we don't support most, it each other. We expect outsiders to want to invest in our community and then criticise them for expecting to make a profit. Question... If you inherited 10 million dollars today on the sole condition that you stay in Greenville and open a business, what would that business be?
In closing, Happy 4th to all. Go out to Shelban Park and support our local efforts to celebrate our independence!
Forthright
Sunday, July 02, 2006
More "Scoop" on Showfest
An anonymous writer offers the following comment:
"This Sunday's D.D.T. reports the demise of showfest. But I must say. I saw it here on The Scoop first. Maybe The Scoop is the true resource for breaking news stories. Support Forthright - CONTRIBUTE."
"Local Reflector" reflects on the broad economic losses associated with this event:
It's great that someone posted the Showfest information on the Delta Scoop and that "Forthright" - our new blog-master - quickly posted it for the community to read. This is the essence of Delta Scoop concept. But, don't confuse it with competing with the Delta Democrat Times. Local dialogue is a community concern. I commend the Times for covering the story as it's highly important and an issue that transcends a "Showfest"; it means the loss of outside revenue or new cash coming into town.
Why is that important?
Well, if you consider the numbers of locals who rely on government subsidies/direct payouts, you have a prescribed amount of cash arriving monthly in local mailboxes. The good news is that this cash doesn't shrink when the economy shrinks and is resistant, in actual amounts, to the ebb and flow of market economics. All the utility companies and landlords can count on so much money being available the first week of every month. The drawback is that while this financial infusion is stable, it never grows and it never creates economic booms. It's enough money to keep a roof over one's head, but one will never see middle class status by relying on it. If its buying power, community-wide, fails, then you're experiencing an influx of welfare recipients or more jobs have left - jobs which likely paid somewhat better wages.
When an event like Showfest can perform in Greenville, suddenly you have a flow of income directly into local merchants' coffers and the city accounts. It's all disposal, after-tax income and, given recent years, it makes people happy except the churches who need something tangible to fight (as opposed to tackling moral apathy which we know exists but cannot physically see) and the people who purposely cruise HWY 82 near Raceway Road in hopes of being offended.
Now, one of Greenville's 52 yearly weekends is darkened by another event's assumed "death." Was a million dollars a day in economic impact killed with it? Maybe if you count how many times the outside cash will turn over within the community. Nonetheless, that's wasted economic impact which the beloved Blues Festival will not match anytime soon.
If you check economic impact, why couldn't the city have helped Showfest? What makes the Blues Festival culturally superior to a car show, when the city's bottom-line is what's most important? The answer is nothing. One event packed the city's major thoroughfare for two nights a year and sold motels out. The other draws about four thousand (maybe) people to an open field to hear great music but not hang around long enough to eat more than one meal in town.
Ten grand given to hire a band would've given the city cash to tighten the security a little better. The city shouldn't support a car show that cannot afford to support itself, unlike the Blues Festival.
I am running off into a tangent, but the more you hash our ideas and issues, the more certain things become apparent as to why things are as they are. The issue isn't Showfest, it's economics. When a community is so inclined to consider local government as a job-creating entity and substitute grants as proof of economic development, maybe it cannot understand that a little accomodation for perceived inconveniences can go a long way. And to think, Showfest wasn't in the city soaking up tax exemptions and making a bunch of empty promises. It just wanted to hold a show at a convention center whose grounds were perfect for such an event. Maybe the problem is that event organizers aren't deceptive enough in proclaiming they can usher in two days of economic "heaven" every year.
"Local Reflector"
"This Sunday's D.D.T. reports the demise of showfest. But I must say. I saw it here on The Scoop first. Maybe The Scoop is the true resource for breaking news stories. Support Forthright - CONTRIBUTE."
"Local Reflector" reflects on the broad economic losses associated with this event:
It's great that someone posted the Showfest information on the Delta Scoop and that "Forthright" - our new blog-master - quickly posted it for the community to read. This is the essence of Delta Scoop concept. But, don't confuse it with competing with the Delta Democrat Times. Local dialogue is a community concern. I commend the Times for covering the story as it's highly important and an issue that transcends a "Showfest"; it means the loss of outside revenue or new cash coming into town.
Why is that important?
Well, if you consider the numbers of locals who rely on government subsidies/direct payouts, you have a prescribed amount of cash arriving monthly in local mailboxes. The good news is that this cash doesn't shrink when the economy shrinks and is resistant, in actual amounts, to the ebb and flow of market economics. All the utility companies and landlords can count on so much money being available the first week of every month. The drawback is that while this financial infusion is stable, it never grows and it never creates economic booms. It's enough money to keep a roof over one's head, but one will never see middle class status by relying on it. If its buying power, community-wide, fails, then you're experiencing an influx of welfare recipients or more jobs have left - jobs which likely paid somewhat better wages.
When an event like Showfest can perform in Greenville, suddenly you have a flow of income directly into local merchants' coffers and the city accounts. It's all disposal, after-tax income and, given recent years, it makes people happy except the churches who need something tangible to fight (as opposed to tackling moral apathy which we know exists but cannot physically see) and the people who purposely cruise HWY 82 near Raceway Road in hopes of being offended.
Now, one of Greenville's 52 yearly weekends is darkened by another event's assumed "death." Was a million dollars a day in economic impact killed with it? Maybe if you count how many times the outside cash will turn over within the community. Nonetheless, that's wasted economic impact which the beloved Blues Festival will not match anytime soon.
If you check economic impact, why couldn't the city have helped Showfest? What makes the Blues Festival culturally superior to a car show, when the city's bottom-line is what's most important? The answer is nothing. One event packed the city's major thoroughfare for two nights a year and sold motels out. The other draws about four thousand (maybe) people to an open field to hear great music but not hang around long enough to eat more than one meal in town.
Ten grand given to hire a band would've given the city cash to tighten the security a little better. The city shouldn't support a car show that cannot afford to support itself, unlike the Blues Festival.
I am running off into a tangent, but the more you hash our ideas and issues, the more certain things become apparent as to why things are as they are. The issue isn't Showfest, it's economics. When a community is so inclined to consider local government as a job-creating entity and substitute grants as proof of economic development, maybe it cannot understand that a little accomodation for perceived inconveniences can go a long way. And to think, Showfest wasn't in the city soaking up tax exemptions and making a bunch of empty promises. It just wanted to hold a show at a convention center whose grounds were perfect for such an event. Maybe the problem is that event organizers aren't deceptive enough in proclaiming they can usher in two days of economic "heaven" every year.
"Local Reflector"
Saturday, July 01, 2006
"Local Reflector" on Showfest
That entire posting, as printed on the Showfest website forum, will spell the end of the annual event.
First, it was given a community reprieve because it helped raise funds for Burn Center. When it lost that "protection," it can be assumed that the Showfest would decline on some peoples' eyes. Second, for all the shootings and "violence" surrounding Showfest, I wonder how many of the defendants/suspects were actually Showfest visitors. You can't blame the Showfest crowd for the behavior of Greenvillians.
It never hit me that the entire local media was "negative" towards the Showfest. Maybe editorials, but I saw more positive reviews of Showfest than negative when you come right down to it. The lack of dialogue with local politicians can be understood because what local leader can really be seen embracing the Showfest? The community, in many sectors, simply doesn't recognize that Showfest was one of the few events where outside money circulated inside the city limits - a cash infusion.
My interpretation is that the politicians understood this and stayed relatively quiet through it all and turning a blind eye towards public consumption on the boulevard and female breast exposure - the exposure being the only unique "crime" being committed; people drink on Greenville's streets all the time. There are ways to play the political game in these controversial cases and I question whether the Showfest organizers played it to Delta specifications. The lack of sponsorships can be laid at the organizers' feet, but with 8 people, that could be extremely difficult. Shoot, the mighty Blues fest hardly gets medium-dollar advertisements.
So, if you drop the customary "blame the media" argument, the points for ending Showfest are quite compelling. I'm betting dwindling attendance and few sponsorships to pay the overhead costs played much higher roles than local public image. It's tough luring money into the Port City. Besides, the Showfest was designed for out-of-towners primarily.
What happens next, Greenville? There's no more burn center so no more incentive to organize local events around its money needs. There's no more Stingers. The Bluesmen are a memory (a cherished memory at that)Do you think the once-a-year Mississippi Valley State basketball game will tide you over every winter?
One day, it will have to turn around. I mean there is place called "Rock Bottom," then there's nothing else to do but spin around and head the other way.
First, it was given a community reprieve because it helped raise funds for Burn Center. When it lost that "protection," it can be assumed that the Showfest would decline on some peoples' eyes. Second, for all the shootings and "violence" surrounding Showfest, I wonder how many of the defendants/suspects were actually Showfest visitors. You can't blame the Showfest crowd for the behavior of Greenvillians.
It never hit me that the entire local media was "negative" towards the Showfest. Maybe editorials, but I saw more positive reviews of Showfest than negative when you come right down to it. The lack of dialogue with local politicians can be understood because what local leader can really be seen embracing the Showfest? The community, in many sectors, simply doesn't recognize that Showfest was one of the few events where outside money circulated inside the city limits - a cash infusion.
My interpretation is that the politicians understood this and stayed relatively quiet through it all and turning a blind eye towards public consumption on the boulevard and female breast exposure - the exposure being the only unique "crime" being committed; people drink on Greenville's streets all the time. There are ways to play the political game in these controversial cases and I question whether the Showfest organizers played it to Delta specifications. The lack of sponsorships can be laid at the organizers' feet, but with 8 people, that could be extremely difficult. Shoot, the mighty Blues fest hardly gets medium-dollar advertisements.
So, if you drop the customary "blame the media" argument, the points for ending Showfest are quite compelling. I'm betting dwindling attendance and few sponsorships to pay the overhead costs played much higher roles than local public image. It's tough luring money into the Port City. Besides, the Showfest was designed for out-of-towners primarily.
What happens next, Greenville? There's no more burn center so no more incentive to organize local events around its money needs. There's no more Stingers. The Bluesmen are a memory (a cherished memory at that)Do you think the once-a-year Mississippi Valley State basketball game will tide you over every winter?
One day, it will have to turn around. I mean there is place called "Rock Bottom," then there's nothing else to do but spin around and head the other way.
Friday, June 30, 2006
"Showfest" Departs Delta
Dear fellow MiniTruckers,
It is with great regret that I inform you that ASSORTED has decided to cancel SHOWFEST for an indefinite period––possibly forever.
We want to thank everyone who helped us build a club run show from the ground up. We were honored over the years and awed by your enthusiasm and support. Thank you so much for the friendships, the sponsorships, and the volunteers who worked so hard to pull off what seemed like impossible odds at times. We hope we’ve given you some great memories and good times.
Among some of our reasons for this decision are (but not limited to) escalating costs, loss of the Burn Center, safety concerns, lack of dialog with some city officials, negative media, lack of sponsorships, decreasing attendance, and the logistics of trying to move the show to a new location. All of which would have to be overcome by just eight members. And quite honestly...we need a break. It was not an easy decision and we hope that you will understand.
Again, THANK YOU for 11 great years!
Peace out,
“Chunks” Burnley
Whether you are a Showfest fan or not, here is another economic loss for Greenville. Some will say good riddance; others will truly miss a unique festival that brought many tourists and dollars to our city. Surely, somewhere between literary festivals and hot-rods, Greenville will find an event that it will support. Good luck, Chunks.
It is with great regret that I inform you that ASSORTED has decided to cancel SHOWFEST for an indefinite period––possibly forever.
We want to thank everyone who helped us build a club run show from the ground up. We were honored over the years and awed by your enthusiasm and support. Thank you so much for the friendships, the sponsorships, and the volunteers who worked so hard to pull off what seemed like impossible odds at times. We hope we’ve given you some great memories and good times.
Among some of our reasons for this decision are (but not limited to) escalating costs, loss of the Burn Center, safety concerns, lack of dialog with some city officials, negative media, lack of sponsorships, decreasing attendance, and the logistics of trying to move the show to a new location. All of which would have to be overcome by just eight members. And quite honestly...we need a break. It was not an easy decision and we hope that you will understand.
Again, THANK YOU for 11 great years!
Peace out,
“Chunks” Burnley
Whether you are a Showfest fan or not, here is another economic loss for Greenville. Some will say good riddance; others will truly miss a unique festival that brought many tourists and dollars to our city. Surely, somewhere between literary festivals and hot-rods, Greenville will find an event that it will support. Good luck, Chunks.
Forthright
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
"Scales" Weighs the Options
I have to assume the plan to build a new federal building would be at the taxpayers expense. Agreeing with Forthright WHY!!!.
It has always been apparent to myself that the Feds have always maintained a high level of maintenance for any of their facilities. I wonder now if this becomes a reality where will the new convention center be built? What economy affect will this produce along Walnut St.? What effect it will have on any plans to build a Blues Quarters? What effect it would have on the lingering question of the city to claim Eminent Domain in this area? Could it be that plans to build a convention center or Blues Quarters could possibly be that all these future plans, which we the citizens have no knowledge of, will be moved to the land site of the old Chicago mill area?
Understanding that the possibility that this new building may be in completion with the city of Cleveland in Bolivar County. Just thinking along here, would the new building better serve the people since the new interstate would be coming through Bolivar County with a new bridge at Rosedale. Have we compared the growth rate of Greenville to Cleveland? Do the feds view Greenville as a dying town? Does the Federal Government want Federal business mixed in with week end street parties along Walnut St.? All that property would then become federal property which would include a large parking area possibility consuming the entire block?
If I were a betting man, my money would be on Cleveland where a lot of the federal dollars are being spent for the bridge and interstate. As far as the revitalization contribution stated by the Chamber, I applaud their thoughts and comments, but that's what dreams are made of. Where it stands now has had no impact on the revitalization effort so how would one block down contribute? The new imprinted streets made no significant contributions, Walnut St. has made no outstanding contributions, I would hesitate to even suggest that four lanes of Washington Ave. will be [no] benefit. In my opinion relocating to Cleveland would be more beneficial to Greenville. We then would have lease space in the vacant offices for a variety of local business, Attorney's etc.
Like I said I was just thinking.
Scales
Scales poses some excellent questions regarding the impact that a new federal building might have on other proposed downtown revitalization projects. If the Blues Quarter proposal does become a reality, it would seem that a large federal building in the middle of an entertainment district might seem a bit out of place. A modern convention center would certainly attract more people to the downtown area than a new federal building.
As for Cleveland being the Feds' new home, it is certainly a possibility. Cleveland is a thriving community that is extremely involved in recruiting new industry and commerce. If the I-69 route stays as proposed, Cleveland will certainly gain the lion's share of economic benefits.
I have to agree with Scales that linking downtown revitalization with a new federal building seems a bit of a stretch. I will admit that a trip to Lowe's will kill the better part of a boring afternoon, but I just can't see myself calling a friend and saying, "Let's go down to that new federal building and get us a couple of new social security cards".... well, not for a few more years anyway.
Forthright
It has always been apparent to myself that the Feds have always maintained a high level of maintenance for any of their facilities. I wonder now if this becomes a reality where will the new convention center be built? What economy affect will this produce along Walnut St.? What effect it will have on any plans to build a Blues Quarters? What effect it would have on the lingering question of the city to claim Eminent Domain in this area? Could it be that plans to build a convention center or Blues Quarters could possibly be that all these future plans, which we the citizens have no knowledge of, will be moved to the land site of the old Chicago mill area?
Understanding that the possibility that this new building may be in completion with the city of Cleveland in Bolivar County. Just thinking along here, would the new building better serve the people since the new interstate would be coming through Bolivar County with a new bridge at Rosedale. Have we compared the growth rate of Greenville to Cleveland? Do the feds view Greenville as a dying town? Does the Federal Government want Federal business mixed in with week end street parties along Walnut St.? All that property would then become federal property which would include a large parking area possibility consuming the entire block?
If I were a betting man, my money would be on Cleveland where a lot of the federal dollars are being spent for the bridge and interstate. As far as the revitalization contribution stated by the Chamber, I applaud their thoughts and comments, but that's what dreams are made of. Where it stands now has had no impact on the revitalization effort so how would one block down contribute? The new imprinted streets made no significant contributions, Walnut St. has made no outstanding contributions, I would hesitate to even suggest that four lanes of Washington Ave. will be [no] benefit. In my opinion relocating to Cleveland would be more beneficial to Greenville. We then would have lease space in the vacant offices for a variety of local business, Attorney's etc.
Like I said I was just thinking.
Scales
Scales poses some excellent questions regarding the impact that a new federal building might have on other proposed downtown revitalization projects. If the Blues Quarter proposal does become a reality, it would seem that a large federal building in the middle of an entertainment district might seem a bit out of place. A modern convention center would certainly attract more people to the downtown area than a new federal building.
As for Cleveland being the Feds' new home, it is certainly a possibility. Cleveland is a thriving community that is extremely involved in recruiting new industry and commerce. If the I-69 route stays as proposed, Cleveland will certainly gain the lion's share of economic benefits.
I have to agree with Scales that linking downtown revitalization with a new federal building seems a bit of a stretch. I will admit that a trip to Lowe's will kill the better part of a boring afternoon, but I just can't see myself calling a friend and saying, "Let's go down to that new federal building and get us a couple of new social security cards".... well, not for a few more years anyway.
Forthright
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Boon or Boon-doggle?
I read with great interest, the article in today's DDT regarding the building of a new federal building. One proposed site is the old Stein Mart location, literally one block away from the federal building's current location. The only thing I did not understand from the article is why we need a new federal building. If I am not mistaken, the current structure was build in the 1960's and designed for the then perceived "growth" of Greenville.
The last time I was in the federal building, it did not seem dilapidated or in severe disrepair. Sure, it is a bit dated, but does that warrant the expenditure of countless tax dollars for a new building?
Since the main post office will remain in its current location, what is the plan for the rest of the current federal building? If there is no plan, my guess would be that the net result of this project will yield two things: first, increased tax liability for all residents and second, more empty space in downtown Greenville.
Sure, it would be great to see a new facility being built in downtown Greenville, but it would also be great to drive down Main extended and not have to dodge pot holes or "hazard markers", (the city's latest low cost solution).
I am not opposed to any project which will help Greenville regain its once vital downtown; however, I do not understand how moving an existing service building one block away is going to enhance the downtown. Will it provide new or better services and create jobs? Will its new location be more convenient... one block away? Maybe I am behind the 8 ball on this one, but I would love for someone to reveal the logic and inherent value behind this building proposal.
Forthright
The last time I was in the federal building, it did not seem dilapidated or in severe disrepair. Sure, it is a bit dated, but does that warrant the expenditure of countless tax dollars for a new building?
Since the main post office will remain in its current location, what is the plan for the rest of the current federal building? If there is no plan, my guess would be that the net result of this project will yield two things: first, increased tax liability for all residents and second, more empty space in downtown Greenville.
Sure, it would be great to see a new facility being built in downtown Greenville, but it would also be great to drive down Main extended and not have to dodge pot holes or "hazard markers", (the city's latest low cost solution).
I am not opposed to any project which will help Greenville regain its once vital downtown; however, I do not understand how moving an existing service building one block away is going to enhance the downtown. Will it provide new or better services and create jobs? Will its new location be more convenient... one block away? Maybe I am behind the 8 ball on this one, but I would love for someone to reveal the logic and inherent value behind this building proposal.
Forthright
L.R. says, "Get real!"
It's regrettable to see so many excellent homes lose value due to civic/social circumstances. But, regarding appraised values in the area, I always questioned the methods by which the appraisers could value Greenville homes so much. In many cases, it seems highly unrealistic.
Likewise, I find the tax valuations always dubious because there's no way land values can be rising. For instance, there's a house on Deer Creek listed for $500,000. Get real! Maybe someone told the owners they could get that amount - and maybe they will - but Geez it seems high given a strict buyers' market that exists in parts of Greenville and other areas around Washington. I think there are great values in property in the area if you're into owning rental properties. They're bought cheap and can be profitable. That's one stock in which I buy - the area's rental scene. I'd also buy options in the local steakhouses, which are excellent.
Local Reflector
I agree with L.R. that local property values seem a bit inflated; however, there is a great difference between the listing price and the selling price. Apparently, someone places a high value on our property. I received my home-owner's escrow account statement last week and both my property taxes and home-owner's insurance had increased almost 2.5%. It appears that the "price" of Greenville is falling, while its "costs" just keep going up.
Forthright
Likewise, I find the tax valuations always dubious because there's no way land values can be rising. For instance, there's a house on Deer Creek listed for $500,000. Get real! Maybe someone told the owners they could get that amount - and maybe they will - but Geez it seems high given a strict buyers' market that exists in parts of Greenville and other areas around Washington. I think there are great values in property in the area if you're into owning rental properties. They're bought cheap and can be profitable. That's one stock in which I buy - the area's rental scene. I'd also buy options in the local steakhouses, which are excellent.
Local Reflector
I agree with L.R. that local property values seem a bit inflated; however, there is a great difference between the listing price and the selling price. Apparently, someone places a high value on our property. I received my home-owner's escrow account statement last week and both my property taxes and home-owner's insurance had increased almost 2.5%. It appears that the "price" of Greenville is falling, while its "costs" just keep going up.
Forthright
Thursday, June 22, 2006
The Price of Greenville
"red white&blue" poses the following question:
If the city of Greenville was listed on the stock market how much would the purchase price be and how many shares would you be willing to buy?
I was born and raised here. I have lived here most of my life. You really get a different picture of Greenville if you move away and come back. I have done that on several occasions with my job. I remember the Greenville of old and to see her as it is today makes me want to cry. To see KDH closed, to see General hospital (DRMC as you know it today) and to see Washington Ave. with its closed business it is so sad, To see crime like it is. I don't personally believe we have had 54% drop in violent crime. There is a lot of crime that the general public is not aware of.
This is a very interesting question. If you judge the worth of a city by its collective property values, Greenville is certainly a buyer's market. Many long time home owners in Greenville are bailing out as property values decline. Several homeowners who have invested thousands of dollars in improving their homes are being forced to take below appraised value in order to sell.
A home is generally considered one of the largest investments we make, and like all investments, we would like to see at least a nominal return on our investment. Here lies the problem. Supply far exceeds demand. Very few people are moving into Greenville. Most of the local home sales are citizens who are either leaving Greenville or moving south of town.
Real estate is much like the stock market. You invest on the assumption that you will turn a profit over time. In reality, Greenville is not a very promising investment, residentially or commercially. We all remain hopeful that projects like I-69 or the Blues Quarter will come to fruition and turn Greenville around; however, it is difficult to project what Greenville will look like ten years from now. I welcome all thoughts on this matter.
Forthright
If the city of Greenville was listed on the stock market how much would the purchase price be and how many shares would you be willing to buy?
I was born and raised here. I have lived here most of my life. You really get a different picture of Greenville if you move away and come back. I have done that on several occasions with my job. I remember the Greenville of old and to see her as it is today makes me want to cry. To see KDH closed, to see General hospital (DRMC as you know it today) and to see Washington Ave. with its closed business it is so sad, To see crime like it is. I don't personally believe we have had 54% drop in violent crime. There is a lot of crime that the general public is not aware of.
This is a very interesting question. If you judge the worth of a city by its collective property values, Greenville is certainly a buyer's market. Many long time home owners in Greenville are bailing out as property values decline. Several homeowners who have invested thousands of dollars in improving their homes are being forced to take below appraised value in order to sell.
A home is generally considered one of the largest investments we make, and like all investments, we would like to see at least a nominal return on our investment. Here lies the problem. Supply far exceeds demand. Very few people are moving into Greenville. Most of the local home sales are citizens who are either leaving Greenville or moving south of town.
Real estate is much like the stock market. You invest on the assumption that you will turn a profit over time. In reality, Greenville is not a very promising investment, residentially or commercially. We all remain hopeful that projects like I-69 or the Blues Quarter will come to fruition and turn Greenville around; however, it is difficult to project what Greenville will look like ten years from now. I welcome all thoughts on this matter.
Forthright
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