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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 26th, 2007 03:52 pm |
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Hairbrush, Thank you as well for your comments and while we may disagree on our conclusions, I do respect your thinking. And that you have given and continue to give this topic great thought.
Interestingly, I was in Raleigh on Saturday with some old UNC friends (most of whom were Raleigh area natives) who live within the inner loop, and during the course of the afternoon, we were all discussing the tremendous growth and growth patterns of the Raleigh area within the last 10 to 20 years (remember when Raleigh was once a small town?).
Someone pointed out that Cary (a Raleigh suburb) is now laughingly referred to and regarded by the old timers as the 'Containment Area for Relocated Yankees.'
You can even say fairly that the old time Raleigh residents look down their noses on Cary and Cary residents for that reason. (As a side note, the greatest real estate appreciation in the Raleigh market is taking place inside the inner loop and not in Cary, which is reflective of the components of the old adage, location, location, location).
When I described to the group some of what was happening with the explosive growth in the Northwest, someone suggested that we ought to hire a bus and start giving the old time Northwest locals and local government officials bus tours up to Union, Essex and Bergen counties in New Jersey so that they can see what this area is going to look and be like in 10 to 20 years. The Northern Virginia suburbs with all of their problems of traffic, congestion and over crowded schools wouldn't be a bad place to show the locals either as a model of what is to come. As Pogo used to say, I have looked into the future and seen the enemy and he is us.
While their remark was a humorous insight, there is unfortunately a great deal of truth in the comment, and one which even more unfortunately, the locals will fail to heed in rolling over to developer demands in continuation of the uncontrolled growth and unbridled sprawl of the past few years. So, if you don't like the looks and feel of Cary, just imagine how much Northwest area residents aren't going to like being in the new Northern New Jersey we are so very rapidly creating down here all around us.
To my way of thinking, it really is only a matter of time before none of us recognize the value of what we have and had, and then one day down the road wonder how it was we disemboweled our communities. And for what? And to me at least, that is a crying shame.
So who wants to hop on the bus?
And where is it you want to go? Northern Virginia, Northern New Jersey or Long Island?
Let's face it: Summerfield can never build parks as fast as developers unbridled can build houses.
Last edited on Feb 27th, 2007 11:04 am by Jim Flynt
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Hairbrush
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Posted: Feb 26th, 2007 04:35 pm |
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I totally agree that Summerfield needs controlled growth. My husband grew up in Dallas so enough said about urban sprawl. I too lived in Raleigh for many years and had a house inside the inner belt loop. When I bought that house I could only afford it because it was in a transitional neighbor. I had no problems selling it when I left because as we know you can't make more land.
I hope that the comprehensive plan that Summerfield is having done will look at Urban Sprawl. I would love to see the Town Core area stay a viable part of Summerfield and I think in order to that we have to control the sprawl.
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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 26th, 2007 04:41 pm |
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Hairbrush wrote: I totally agree that Summerfield needs controlled growth. My husband grew up in Dallas so enough said about urban sprawl. I too lived in Raleigh for many years and had a house inside the inner belt loop. When I bought that house I could only afford it because it was in a transitional neighbor. I had no problems selling it when I left because as we know you can't make more land.
I hope that the comprehensive plan that Summerfield is having done will look at Urban Sprawl. I would love to see the Town Core area stay a viable part of Summerfield and I think in order to that we have to control the sprawl.
Hairbrush, we agree totally. I was thinking that you had lived in Raleigh and that is why I used the Cary example (as well as my inner loop comment) in my earlier response, knowing you would understand and appeciate the larger point I was trying to make.
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Shamu
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Posted: Feb 26th, 2007 10:19 pm |
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 I am wondering how you can say that the "Friends..." has the best interests of Summerfield in mind. Summerfiled is not an animate thing with interests (ie. an individual). that you would know what its best interests are. What you really know is the best interests of you.
I think what you are saying is that you, and some small group of other like-minded people (30 in 8000 ain't much), have the best interests of Summerfield in mind. I doubt it. Maybe you should read the survey we paid $12K or $15K for last year and then explain to me how you know what the best interests of Summerfield are.
Ballparks?? Show me in the survey. Increased authority for Town Manager???
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FatPappy
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Posted: Feb 27th, 2007 01:47 pm |
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| Welcome to the forum, Shamu. Which survey are we talkin' about here?
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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 27th, 2007 01:59 pm |
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Hairbrush wrote: I too have core values that will always determine for whom I vote.
I also don't happen to think just because you voted on my side of the fence makes you the right person for the job.
If an elected official votes on my side of the fence and votes in support of my core values, not only is that the right person for the job, as far as I am concerned, that is the ONLY person for the job.
I rather suspect that most folks (excepting small cliques with self serving interests) would generally agree and vote in a similar manner.
The good news is we will find out in the next election. Those who give voice to the truth and dissent will never be silenced and will always be heard, if only at the ballot box.
Rock on Shamu.
I, for one, want to hear what you have to say.
And I'm sure there are others 'out there' who do as well.
Rock On Shamu. Rock On!
Last edited on Feb 27th, 2007 02:10 pm by Jim Flynt
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Shamu
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Posted: Feb 27th, 2007 11:47 pm |
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| The 'Parks and Recreation' Sellers survey done last year on Town website - report dated March 7, 2006.
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FatPappy
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 12:33 am |
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The majority (61.4 percent) of the survey respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that the Town of Summerfield needs to provide quality recreation and parks opportunities for its residents. Approximately 63 percent of the survey respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that the Town of Summerfield needs to provide mostly active outdoor recreation opportunities (e.g., running trails, playgrounds, athletic fields, etc.). More than 58 percent of the survey respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that the Town of Summerfield needs to provide passive outdoor recreation opportunities (e.g., walking for pleasure, picnicking, bird watching, etc.). Over 57 percent of survey respondents “agree” or “strongly agree” that the Town of Summerfield needs to provide a combination of passive and active outdoor recreation opportunities.
There's more, but that looks to me like people want ball fields an' such. Is that not how you see it, Shamu? Or am I missin' your point?
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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 12:50 am |
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Shamu wrote: The 'Parks and Recreation' Sellers survey done last year on Town website - report dated March 7, 2006.
Shamu, wasn't that the survey that said that most folks in Summerfield were dancing in the streets wanting to pay more TAXES?
Or is there another survey that says that?
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StewartM
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 11:17 am |
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Jim Flynt wrote: Shamu wrote: The 'Parks and Recreation' Sellers survey done last year on Town website - report dated March 7, 2006.
Shamu, wasn't that the survey that said that most folks in Summerfield were dancing in the streets wanting to pay more TAXES?
Or is there another survey that says that?
Using a little of the $8 mil in the bank from the taxes that we have already paid and some grant money, we could complete some of these projects.....Why do you tax me just to have a millions in the bank and not service the Town's needs......
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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 11:39 am |
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StewartM wrote: Why do you tax me just to have a millions in the bank and not service the Town's needs......
Personally, I think the question ought to be: why impose taxes at all?
Folks are paying enough taxes as it is and surely Summerfield could get by without the imposition of any tax if they would simply tighten their belt and let go of some of the pie in the sky dreams of a few.
I read the survey with the comments from folks, and was especially touched and pained from reading some of the senior citizen pleas for relief from the pain of having to pay out that which they don't have. It serves to force some people to make unpleasant choices of having to decide which of life's neccesities such as food, medical care, or prescription drugs they must give up in exchange for luxury items selfishly desired by the few. It may well even serve to force some long time residents to sell their homes to provide parks and recreation for the super rich buying those gazillion dollar homes that are moving in and turning what was once a nice pastoral rural community into another New Jersey lookalike. Frankly, that ain't Summerfield. Or at least the one I used to know.
My guess is that the larger majority of citizens/voters will ultimately prove my theory correct over there and the tax imposition will be relieved. I hope so and fully support the efforts of all those who endorse that end.
While I am at times critical of some of the decisions which the Stokesdale Town Council has made, they have been excellent stewards of the town's revenues and I dare say, they have done an excellent job in protecting and enriching the town's assets including a town water system, major contributions to the fire department, school and existing park, a current park acquisition and future development, and unlike Summerfield, by keeping a tight belt, they have been able to do all of this without imposing any taxes on our citizens. I am sure the TC members here know that if they ever did impose a tax, they would be thrown out by voters on their ears and burned in effigy. Summerfield has yet to learn that lesson but probably will to no one's surprise but the few.
Quite frankly, I have never been a fan or advocate of Tax and $pend - $pend and Tax and I never will. And my political support will always be for those who endorse that position. I am a single issue voter when it comes to tax policy and historical polling data strongly suggests many others vote like me in that regard. As Tip O'Neill used to say: All politics is local and people vote with their wallets.
Last edited on Feb 28th, 2007 12:04 pm by Jim Flynt
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Hairbrush
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 11:50 am |
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| Isn't it true that in order for us to get some of the sales tax we have to also charging a tax?
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StewartM
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 12:24 pm |
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| Yes its true
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FatPappy
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 12:27 pm |
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61.4 percent, 63 percent, 58 percent, 57 percent... not exactly "the few".
I agree those on fixed incomes or experiencin' other hardships should have tax relief.
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Jim Flynt
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Posted: Feb 28th, 2007 02:47 pm |
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FatPappy wrote: 61.4 percent, 63 percent, 58 percent, 57 percent... not exactly "the few".
Pappy, just to make sure that I am reading the very same survey as you are quoting those figures from, can you please refresh exactly which survey it is we are discussing. I did read the survey which described some majority numbers desiring parks and recreation, but that same survey also indicated a lack of willingness and desire by citizens to pay for those things with taxes or tax increases. I just want to make sure I am looking at the same raw data as you are, before I make the case for the other side.
Thank-you for your consideration of this request.
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