commentary

Is the FOP aware they are backing a Mayor and Coucilmember (Best) who believes that 'costs are irrelevant and immaterial?" That is so out of touch with the average resident it isnt funny. All of the residents I have talked to believe that costs are VERY relevant, to them, and SHOULD be to their government. They are tired of their money disappearing and their taxes going up as a result. The FOP is backing a candidate in my group who likely doesnt even know that the city built two bathrooms, much less overpaid 275k for them! He likely IS aware that the CC was enclosed but has NO CLUE that the city overpaid 350k for THAT fiasco! Does he know ANYTHING about the issues at the pool? the golf course? Ask him! He knows only what Billy tells him. THIS is the candidate the FOP is backing? Unbelievable. Dr. Mel P. Johnson

commentary

Keeping the golf course as it is, and NOT allowing high rises into the City are NOT Springs issues? What planet are YOU on? The golf course is the most valuable natural asset in the City. NOT allowing high rises that would spoil our small town atmosphere is also an important issue. Since when, and by whom, has those issues been deemed to be unimportant? They are certainly important to the residents I talk to as I travel around the City! Signs are being stolen, defaced, and run over; rumors, lies and innuendos are being spread all over town; old ladies with challenger signs are having their house egged, and yet some people are upset about a flyer in their mailbox???? Unbelievable. Dr. Mel P. Johnson

golf course condos?

I voted to buy the golf course to preserve the green space for the next generations and as a place to play for our golfers. I am concerned that the golf course will be taken over little by little, acre by acre, by private developers until there IS no golf course left for either the next generation OR the golfers. The Country Club was given away to a private business and I would NOT put it past the City Manager, Mayor, and Council to try to do the same thing with the golf course. Dr Mel P. Johnson

deja vu all over again?

There was NOBODY asking any questions of substance except Mr Dotson. Garcia said, as usual, that we must keep the pool open year-round NO MATTER what it costs, as usual. He doesnt care HOW much WE pay, as it not like its HIS 200k subsidizing that private business! Again, STILL, no semblance of any sign of fiscal responsibility on ANY of the Councilmen's part, except Dotson. Youngs DID question the golf operation as it is projected that they will lose 190k in this FY. The spoke about holding off on new purchases. Youngs DID say he was a tleast somewhat troubled by the trend of the golf course toward greater losses, as the whole idea of backing the new gym was that they could afford to do it IF the golf course was breaking even, or even had losses under 100k. If the Councils whole concept of paying for the new gym was predicated on the golf course breaking even, that isnt happening. This sounds eerily familiar, as big losses at the CC was the reason why it was given to Mr Santana for a song, to subsidize HIS private business! Can it be that we are heading the same way with the golf course? Is it possible that they will decide that the losses at the golf course are intolerable AGAIN, and give that city resource to a private business to run, at OUR expense? The Council and City DOES have a track record of giving away city facilities and resources that have been horribly mismanaged to private entities for THEIR benefit at the taxpayers expense! Could it be deja vu all over again?

CC comments

People are not traveling far from home because gas is up over 4 bucks a gallon and we are in a recession. They CANT afford it. I know of NO town where the residents say,"Lets meet at the gym. We will have dinner, a couple drinks and relax and socialize." THAT was supposed to be what the CC was for. Granted, its an improvement now that we can use it ONE night a month now, and thats ONE night more than we have been able to use it for the PAST TWO YEARS. Progress, I guess, of some sort. The bills for the CC are assessed to the residents 365 days a year, however. I AM glad the golf course is doing well, tho, and that credit goes to Mike Aldredge, who has persevered despite attempts by the politicos to micro-manage him and the course.