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bama80
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 01:08 pm |
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To support what Baseball Buddy said- I do not play baseball and do not have any children that do (yet). But I know when i was in Middle school and High School, the Summerfield baseball league was always known as the best (in skill of players and in the quality of the program). This was just school water-fountain talk so it's not like there was an official survey that went around or anything.
So, SF was doing something right. The kids wanted to play there, I'm sure the parents wanted to live there. Oh and the kids do pay to play and since the program would exist anyway, I am not sure i would think of it as a tax burden that non-SF kids came to play. Even if the program expanded due to these outside kids, and new ballfield were built to support the expansion, I think the program would need the fields anyway. And why would you not want people to come to SF and spend money? Even if they just visit and don't spend any money, they will recommend the area to their friends, and say how nice it is and then they will come here and buy/spend money. Or is it that you guys want the SF all to yourselves??!?!?!?!?
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Roll Tide and Go Pack. Maybe or maybe not in that order. [insert profound quote here]
This post will self destruct in 10.......9......8....
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Starcatchr
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 01:12 pm |
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Jim Flynt wrote:
And with such a liberal attitude on spending taxpayer's money on the part of Summerfield town leaders, we need to make sure we round up as many more kids from Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Greensboro as we can so you can spend even more taxpayer money and build parks and ballfields to your heart's content. You're taking the burden off of the rest of us who don't like paying taxes for services we don't need and can't afford. Thanks.
The leaders and taxpayers of Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Greensboro should all get together and send your Summerfield taxpayers some nice Thank-You notes.
WAAAAAAAAY back in the day when Summerfield began to be deveoped and people moved here from Greensboro, Raleigh, and other far away places, there was much conversation about the building of walls, fences, and newcomers generally moving in and closing the gate, shutting out the rest of the community. For the most part, that did'nt happen.
Who would even consider a selfish act of shutting children from the fringes out of our parks and ballfields? Who in Summerfield has not taken advantage of the parks, museums, pools, gardens, libraries in Greensboro and Winston Salem that are supported by someone else's taxpayer money. I, for one, am proud that Summerfield is finally taking some responsibility for our citizens. Someone posted recently that he boasted to his friends about using Greensboro facilities for free. How embarrassing! Well, there are some of us, and I believe most, who wish to stand on our own in becomng a real town. I am happy to contribute what amounts to about five cheap dinners a year, dollarwise, to help in this endeavor. We do need some services and there are some we can't afford not to have.
I'm off the soapbox now and would like to thank all posters for expressing their thoughts and ideas, and for allowing me to do the same.
See you at the park!
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Starcatchr
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 01:32 pm |
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Jim Flynt wrote:
And unlike young and middle aged voters, senior citizens actually have the highest awareness of voting issues and a distinctly higher pattern of voting behavior when compared amongst all voting ages and groups. Senior citizens have historically voted against taxes and the leaders who promulgate them.
You're right, Jim. Most seniors are aware of and take part in what goes on around them. I work with a group of seniors and am constantly amazed at discussions of world events and community affairs - and with some of the dead-set ideas about certain issues. It is also suprising that these people look to and plan for the future. This is not a group of hundreds, so it is not a valid survey, Jim, but just from the buzz of conversation, it is apparent that they are tired of all the sniping, they are in support of the parks, and they all vote!Last edited on Mar 22nd, 2007 01:34 pm by Starcatchr
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Baseball Buddy
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 01:39 pm |
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| Starcatchr. You are a real Star Catcher in this world.(Everything comes back to baseball) This same group of seniors loves to watch their grandchildren play baseball.
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The views/opinions expressed in this post are personal and belong to Baseball Buddy. Please do not duplicate, distribute, BCC, or mass mail my comments without my written consent.
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summerfieldrd
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 01:45 pm |
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If you'd ever heard gunshots in the distance, you would find peace in the roar of a crowd enjoying baseball.
I do, and I love Summerfield.
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The only constant in the universe is change.
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happycamper
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 04:02 pm |
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"Someone posted recently that he boasted to his friends about using Greensboro facilities for free. How embarrassing! Well, there are some of us, and I believe most, who wish to stand on our own in becomng a real town"
That "someone" was me ! Sorry to have embarrased you. However, perhaps the point was not made correctly. It was not so much that I relished in the opportunity to boast, as I was glad that I made the correct choice( or thought I had) to move out of the city of Greensboro some 20+ years ago into what I felt was the best area outside of Greensboro. At the time I moved I was not in " Summerfield", now I am., Thanks to my signature and many more like mine. I can remember the folks coming to my door as if it were yesterday...Sign on they said..Greensboro wants us.. they said, if you dont sign up- Greensboro will get you and you will have to start paying taxes. The fact of the matter is my friends and relatives, some of which live in Greensboro, can't stand the fact that they have to pay the taxes they pay for the services they get. I moved away to be "out in the country" so to speak, to be away from the McDonalds, the stop lights, the hussle and bussle... I will stand by my earlier position, I will "Boast" that this decision was based on the fact that when I needed to shop, eat, or walk in the park., I could Drive 10 mins. for it. If I had chosen to live 25 or 30 miles from civilization, in a town that had nothing to offer., maybe I would feel different. I realize that taxes would/could be higher if Greensboro had "gobbled" us up...but the fact is they didn't because we all signed on for what we thought would be NO TAXES, not " LESS TAXES..
Nothing wrong with wanting to be a "real town" on our own. There are many towns that are larger than Summerfield that have not yet seen the need to tax and spend. I my personal opinion our "real town" and the feelings associated with being a part of it has been lost.. and no park, town hall , water system, resturant or office building will bring it back.
On the next town survey, they need to list what folks most would like to see in there town, then at the end ask the question " Would you be willing to pay for your choices above with an increase in your property tax".. I think we would fine that "most" would answer "no"
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happycamper
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 04:35 pm |
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Can someone tell me how the "Park" got priority over the Ballfields in the first place. It seems to me that if we truely needed something for our town, the Fields should have received the money, time, effort that was spent on the "Park" ." Needs before wants" is what my mama always said.
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GRITS
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 04:45 pm |
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sorry happycamper--but if you thought for a minute that by moving to summerfield was going to help you in evading taxes--you thought wrong.
I do believe the majority of the vote was to set aside x amount of dollars for the purchace of land and ballfields. Why try to kill it now? Your thoughts and worries over 5 cents of your money toward this vote is only hurting our children who will someday be sitting in your shoes gripping over the same issues that we are having today.
Our kids already do not get physical education in school--academics are much more important in kindergarten than a healthy mind and body. Summerfield is getting ready to lose the only place available for our kids to be active (ballfields) to the school system. This is happening because you
probably voted for the million dollar bond to build new schools---which Summerfield is not getting by the way. Instead, Guilford county wants to shut the doors to Laughlin, and overcrowd Summerfield--when a new school should have been built years ago. Instead the school system opted to renovate Summerfield Elementry (which in my opion was a joke).l
My tax dollar may not go to the city to accomodate their facilities--but I do not get to use them for free. I have to pay admission to any community pool in the city limits. i HAVE to pay to park at the coliseum (which was supposed to be free parking when the bond was passed to renovate the coliseum). Again, another joke.
So, my point Happycamer is--be careful of what you are wanting or what you suspect you are getting--because in the long run my friend, you are not and will not get it.
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GRITS
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 05:05 pm |
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The park actually was first. Several years ago--late 90's town council decided to clean up around the lake and make it park for the community.
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FatPappy
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 05:10 pm |
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| Well, the park has been in the works for years, even back when a lot o' them people an' their young'uns that moved out to the country were still livin' somewheres else an' the ballfields weren't quite as big a need. But both projects are in the budget, both needs are bein' addressed, so I reckon the priority, in my opinion, should be to get on with both like the council voted to.
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How many legs does a dog have if you call the tail a leg? Four; calling a tail a leg doesn't make it a leg.
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happycamper
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 05:33 pm |
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sorry happycamper--but if you thought for a minute that by moving to summerfield was going to help you in evading taxes--you thought wrong.
I do believe the majority of the vote was to set aside x amount of dollars for the purchace of land and ballfields. Why try to kill it now? Your thoughts and worries over 5 cents of your money toward this vote is only hurting our children who will someday be sitting in your shoes gripping over the same issues that we are having today.
Our kids already do not get physical education in school--academics are much more important in kindergarten than a healthy mind and body. Summerfield is getting ready to lose the only place available for our kids to be active (ballfields) to the school system. This is happening because you
probably voted for the million dollar bond to build new schools---which Summerfield is not getting by the way. Instead, Guilford county wants to shut the doors to Laughlin, and overcrowd Summerfield--when a new school should have been built years ago. Instead the school system opted to renovate Summerfield Elementry (which in my opion was a joke).l
My tax dollar may not go to the city to accomodate their facilities--but I do not get to use them for free. I have to pay admission to any community pool in the city limits. i HAVE to pay to park at the coliseum (which was supposed to be free parking when the bond was passed to renovate the coliseum). Again, another joke.
Let me begin by saying that the purpose of my move to Summerfield was not with the intention of "evading taxes"., if you wish to accuse me of something..perhaps "reducing" my taxes would be a better choice. It was primarily based on the desire to move to a rural community that had intrigued me with it's beauty since my early childhood. The idea of no service no taxes was just icing on the cake. Take a look at most real estate ads, low/no taxes seem to be one of the biggest eye catchers. And by the way, for appx 10+ years no taxes (summerfield) were levied, so I have in essence got a little of what I suspected I was getting.
Secondly, if you will look at prior posts, I am not against the Ballfields. I feel the ball fields are a "nessisity" if there ever was one. I would also like to see a local community center that has the capability of hosting all kinds of community "needs".Will this cost money(taxes)? Most Likely. I did not say I would not pay taxes, which would be the true definition of what you call the desire to "evade"taxes. I am even willing to concede the fact that now we have established a tax and spend or a spend and tax approach to our town. An approach that seemingly cannot now be reversed. Given that, and accepting of that on my part, my desire is that we do the things that are "needed" first .. And in my opinion that is all that we can do for our "youth" ., this includes a well thought out plan for Ballfields.
And yes, I voted for new schools in Guilford county, My Daughter will benefit from this very soon when the new Northern schools open this winter.
So, my point Happycamer is--be careful of what you are wanting or what you suspect you are getting--because in the long run my friend, you are not and will not get it.
Oh ? Have you taken the time to ask me what I want or suspect I want?
What I want is a little R&R when I get home from work each day. A little time with my wife and child. Maybe even the opportunity to get in my car and ride down the road a few miles and enjoy whats left of the rural Summerfield. I would like to see my friends boys play Baseball up in summerfield in the evenings during the spring time ( Which I do)., and to do it on top notch fields. I have many more items that are on my "Want" list as well., many of which I am sure are on your list as well.
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GRITS
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 06:35 pm |
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yes, we got a new HIGH school (and middle) which by they way may child attends--but Summerfield did not and will not get a new elementry school. It will continue to operate in the same building that it has for many years. Yes a new Northwest Elementry has been built--only to help move kids from Oak Ridge and Colfax. Only a handful will leave from Summerfield.
Thank you for imforming me that you are in support of the ballfields. Also, thankyou for showing support not only spectating your own child's athletic events, but others as well. This strongly supports BB theory that the majority of the community supports baseball, and enjoys watching others enjoy themselves.
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S. Smith
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 07:25 pm |
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Jim Flynt wrote: Baseball Buddy wrote: Riddle me this. Why do kids come from Stokesdale, Oak Ridge, and Greensboro to play ball in Summerfield? What?
Gosh, I think the answer is actually as simple as it is obvious.
Summerfield taxpayers simply seem so willing and eager to spend almost $2,000.00 per child to build a new park and ballfields for any child who shows up wanting to play baseball, no matter where they reside.
And with such a liberal attitude on spending taxpayer's money on the part of Summerfield town leaders, we need to make sure we round up as many more kids from Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Greensboro as we can so you can spend even more taxpayer money and build parks and ballfields to your heart's content. You're taking the burden off of the rest of us who don't like paying taxes for services we don't need and can't afford. Thanks.
The leaders and taxpayers of Stokesdale, Oak Ridge and Greensboro should all get together and send your Summerfield taxpayers some nice Thank-You notes.
As I said earlier, it really is that simple an answer. And obvious as well.
Okay, I gotta jump in here. All three towns are building ball fields. Oak Ridge's tax is more than twice what Summerfield's is (8.65 cents per hundred in Oak Ridge vs. 3.8 cents in Summerfield -- and yes, I know that Stokesdale's tax is zip). I'm not making a judgment on what any town pays. I'm just stating a fact.
I'm making two points here:
1) the amount of tax charged obviously has nothing to do with whether people approve of an expenditure or not. If it did, Oak Ridge residents would be jumping up and down and screaming twice as loud as anybody in Summerfield. I think some people in Summerfield don't want to spend money on anything -- no matter what it is. I'm sure there are people like that in other towns as well, but obviously we haven't heard from them.
2) I think another reason people in Oak Ridge and Stokesdale aren't yelling about where the ball fields are being built is because they're not talking about building them particularly close to any residences. Both that section of Linville Road in Oak Ridge and Angel-Pardue Road in Stokesdale are relatively undeveloped.
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happycamper
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 07:27 pm |
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Grits,
Thanks for your reply.
I may be mistaken, but the new Northern Elementary school, which will take not all but some of the Summerfield elementary schools students is scheduled to be open some time early next year. They have just started this school on hwy 150 just outside of summerfield, actually closer than Summerfield Elementary for a lot of folks. I may be mistaken, but I think this is different than the Northwest Elementary...? Still .too little too late for a lot of folks.
Sorry to get off the original topic.
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S. Smith
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Posted: Mar 22nd, 2007 07:36 pm |
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Baseball Buddy wrote: WRONG AGAIN! It's because we play baseball here and have a volunteer group that are second to none! We simply have the better program overall and it shows in the growth over the past years. The others have fallen behind where SRA has excelled.
Do you honestly think when a child is playing baseball the parents think of taxes? No! It's about having fun. You see Jim, that what it's about. Kids having fun.
Calm down, Buddy -- don't hulk out on us. 
I can't speak to the baseball program. As a parent whose daughters played softball for years in Oak Ridge, I can tell you that all the youth sports associations around here are top notch, primarily because of the dedication of their volunteers. In fact, I'll even share this -- when my oldest daughter wanted to keep playing ball but Oak Ridge didn't have enough girls in the 18 and under age group to field a team, she came over and played for Summerfield.
And I can assure you that Summerfield is not the only town that takes players from different towns. I've known girls that lived in Stokesdale to play for Oak Ridge, I've known girls that lived in Bethany to play in Stokesdale. I think all the local youth sports groups, at least up to this point, have accepted players from other towns, because it's about kids playing recreational sports and getting all the benefits that go along with that.
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