Gotta love it. The Board of Supervisors for the Madison County Branch of Butler Snow unanimously passed a resolution last night to sell $1.5 million in bonds for a Park for Nowhere. The Madison County Journal reported last week:
"A 60.05-acre park development in northeastern Madison County will end up costing more than the $1.5 million county supervisors sought through an urban renewal loan.
The project near Sharon will include an 18-acre lake, walking trails, ball fields, picnic areas, bathrooms, pavilions and parking. However, the $1.5 million loan barely scratches the surface of what the total cost to the county will be.
According to County Administrator David Overby, "This is a 'one step at a time project,'" with a dam structure for the lake costing nearly half of the loan amount.
He elaborated, "We know that will do more than just the lake. The dam structure will be around $750,000. When we get that bid, we will see how much we have left. We expect to get a grant for building the walking trails and perhaps some other things too."
At a Jan. 7 meeting of the Board of Supervisors, many residents of the rural area where the proposed park will be voiced their opposition, citing many reasons, including future upkeep and cost to taxpayers.
Overby said there are plans to hire a park director in the future for this park, and other county parks.
"We are working on plans now," he said. "We began the process of separating park maintenance expenses for our existing parks in the current budget and assigned an employee to that department. Plans are to hire a park director in the future.
"When the (Sulphur Springs) park is opened, we will have to allocate some maintenance money to that park," he continued. "I am working with a park professional who is donating his time to help come up with some projections."
The county administrator said upkeep costs will include "grass cutting, repair of structures like painting, electrical, roofing, etc. Also keeping the area around the lake clean."
Overby said the project will be a good thing for the entire county.
"The cities of Madison and Ridgeland have parks centered around sports facilities, i.e. soccer fields, baseball fields, etc.," he said. "We believe a rural park will not only give the residents of the rural areas of the county some of those facilities that the urban areas or cities have, but also provide a rural setting for families from the more urban areas to enjoy 'getting out in the country.'
"For example, this will be a place that a father can carry his son fishing without all the logistical problems encountered at the Reservoir," he continued.
"Many urban residents just do not have those opportunities or place to take their kids out into the country and a place to fish.
"Quality of life is something that is always examined when a business or industry is looking at an area and the (board of supervisors) understands this and certainly want to do what they can to improve the quality of life for all county residents."
Residents in the northeastern part of the county that attended last week's board meeting were split on the issue, with several residents opposing the project." Rest of article
Remember, you voters in Madison County wanted this. Tax hikes. Bailouts for developers. Now bonds to pay for parks no one wants. You wanted it. You got it.
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Madison supes: Bonds for Park for Nowhere
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42 comments:
Not big enough to be a surface water resource so its not for drinking. And it ain't urban. If the water quality was better in the Big Black River folk could bank fish all day long. RINO project IV.
I don't know Kingfish. There may be something to this project.
Don't know when you were there last but it isn't easy for the children of inner city Sharon to get out into a rural setting to fish or kick around a ball. An opportunity to get away from the depressing high density of Sharon may be just what the doctor ordered for those disadvantaged families.
Of course their first hope was that Whole Foods would locate there but they'll have to sacrifice and accept the park.
Plain and simple wealth redistribution.
Randy Tucker will have to spend a bundle on patrol, coverage and calls out there. He won't be able to handle the "problems" at the park with only one or two deputies.
That will be the perfect location for 2 Gutta's next hit. I think they're calling it Welcome to My Park. The band is going to call ahead to give the shop where they rented those fake Glocks enough lead time to round up all the fake rifles and shotguns they'll need as props for the shoot. Word is that Steen and Crosby have agreed to cameos.
You have only to look at the demographics at that area to scratch your head and say, "Huh?"
Obviously, someone is about to build a large subdivision out there. I would check the land records to see who owns what.
Makes as much sense as a $700,000 park in West Fondren that can only be used by people wanting to be mugged (because there are so few places in Jackson where that could happen).
10:54 Large subdivision? Who on earth would live out there?
@12:18. That's what we all said back in the early's 80's of the area past Lake Caroline!
@11:48... Here we go again... Your comment is irrelevant. This post is about a development in Madison county. Not some park 30 miles away.
This is typical of what goes on in Madison County. One or more of the south Madison Co. supes need a vote from Griffin and/or Banks, and they'll make deals like this to make it happen. I also suspect there's something in it personally for either them, a family member (remember Overby said they'd be hiring a park manager), or a political crony. The cities of Madison and Ridgeland do have parks but the cities built and maintain them.
I support the project if it will bring recreational activities to the children of that area ~ children who would otherwise have none, or would be limited to a rim on a 4x4 at some community center.
Do some of you wizards actually think a board is going to continue spending all its funds in South Madison County or do you think they will represent the entire county, periodically? I'm sure the high sheriff will find the funds necessary to patrol the Sharon area.
This state sacrificed its entire system of roadside parks decades ago because it built but never patrolled or kept them up. They were left to survive or sink and they sank, many becoming homosexual enclaves. Let that be a lesson. If we build it, we have an obligation to protect it and the kids who use it. Whether Whole Foods or Freds locates in Sharon is beside the point.
Your attitudes are the kind of thing that keeps the Bennie Thompson's of the world in office.
What was the vote, and who voted for and against, please?
Many of the neglected parks become homosexual enclaves? WTF are you talking about shadowfax. You make less and less sense with each successive post I see from you on here.
Park isn't wanted, park isn't needed. Smells like a backroom handshake (i'll do this if you'll do that...). Look up who owns land and who will be looking to build there.
KF, about the you-voted-for-them, I didn't. Please dont lump me in with idiots.
@10:17 AM, great post and the pic made me laugh out loud...get out in the rural setting. hahahahaha
And the man talking about--this will be a place that a father can carry his son fishing. This is pathetic. Since all of Mississippi is this huge urban state, there's just no dang place to find a fishing hole. Idiots.
and forgot one other thing. THE MONEY. 1.5 mill but that only covers this. So we'll need more. So bond out and hand it over cause someone need to be able to fish. All th time, the people who live there are screaming to get away from them.
The dots are connecting. Didn't Banks own land here? There is an Ida Lee Banks that owns a parcel literally next to this property. I recall some of your older posts about it... http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2010/04/madison-county-supervisor-owns-land.html
1:33
Either you haven't lived here long, or just haven't lived long. Shadowfax, unless I'm mistaken, is talking about the long abandoned and demolished roadside park by the sewage lagoons North of Canton, and most of the restrooms around the Reservoir. They were well known and well documented with arrests for solicitation.
The real expense will be when someone sues because they got shot out there during a BBQ, or beaten up, or raped, and we have to fork over $500,000 and hire armed guards to provide "adequate security" for the park. Or someone drowns and we have to pay for life guards.
Of course, we can just privatize all those government functions, so most of the people on this board should be pretty excited ;)
Well reasoned, Shadowfax. Nor do I disagree with your comments on rest stops along the Interstates. Now they're so spiffy that you almost want to stop in even if you don't need to use the facilities. Let's hope they're kept up.
" Or someone drowns and we have to pay for life guards. "
Given the extraordinarily low percentage of swimmers among the locals, and the unlikelihood of South MadCo residents to trek up there, that seems like a high probability.
A few years back MS had the highest drowning rate in the country, and I don't think it has improved.
Who is the engineer on the project? This property is closer to Leake county residents than it is to Sharon. So who benefits here? It's not Sharon residents. Not enough of them to justify the expense.
"Oh goodness gracious! All this talk about homosexual enclaves has got me prespiring."
Spoken in a Eddie Murphy-style humorous lisping tone.
Duh! Does anyone remember the Green Lizard parties? They crowned Miss White Trash. Rita Martinson was honored along with St. Philips Epsicopal Church for having the highest concentration of white trash. All in the area they are talking about. Bo Devine hosted the events.
Anybody who doesn't acknowledge the history of Mississippi 'roadside parks' is either under 30 or was a participant. And they were not primarily 'along the interstates'. The were on every highway up, down and across the state. Built, allowed to rundown and became killing grounds, drug venues and homosexual enclaves. The same will be true of this park at Sharon if left unattended. But, the point is, you are hauty jerks for your suggestions that the kids up that way deserve to have no tax money spent on their opportunities. And what the hell difference does it make that Sharon is close to Leake County. Leake doesn't spend funds in Madison County.
Guess who is involved with this project? From way back when the Catholics were only beginning to look at selling the land? Last name starts with the letter "W". Any care to guess?
Ahh the memories...
The Green Lizard parties were legendary. But so were the after-party road blocks.
I'll be laughing all night about the description of the rest areas as "homosexual enclaves". But it was true.
I now know why my Dad never would answer my innocent childhood questions about why homemade holes were drilled into the stall partitions.
Shadow is correct. After dark, the Natchez Trace stops were even worse.
On a brighter memory, Playboy came to Madison County during 1978 or 79 and shot a pictorial of our
fine local girl "Missy Cleveland" (RIP) .... at a remote Rez party spot known as Lost Rabbit.
Now the big question: " which came first, the Canton sewage lagoon on I-55 , or the MDOT "rest area" (without rest rooms) that was built overlooking
that very fragrant body of water " ?
"But, the point is, you are hauty jerks for your suggestions that the kids up that way deserve to have no tax money spent on their opportunities."
First, it's "haughty".
But I agree, fair is fair. So, add up the amount spent on south MadCo kids (parks, ball fields, etc), divide that by the number of kids in Madison (city) and Ridgeland, then multiply that by the number of kids in Sharon.
Allocate that amount (not $1.5M) and spend it up there. Maybe you could afford half a park bench or something..... After all, fair is fair.
Say what you will bafoons this is right by the newer middle school and the new highschool which will make Canton school district a lot better in the long run.
Throw the bums out!! Wait do we have better bums to replace them with? Me thinks anyone would be better, maybe my beagle.
No one is against parks. No one is against fishing for the kids. But damn, do you have to sell bonds for everything. You defenders don't even demand they bid out the professional services such as bond counsel fees so they can save money. Then there is another bond package coming down the turnpike for a new building. This bond package won't even cover the cost of construction or maintenance.
"Say what you will bafoons this is right by the newer middle school and the new highschool which will make Canton school district a lot better in the long run. "
First, I believe you're trying to spell "buffoons".
If you're referring to the new Gluckstadt middle school and high school they are part of the Madison County School District and have nothing to do with Canton School District.
But thanks for playing - next contestant, please!
Sharon is miles from the new Gluckstadt school, you barfune! Get a map and a kid to read it to you. how Hawtee.
It would appear these bonds are but the first bite of an elephant; and you know what they say about eating an elephant.
Kangaroo: Think for a moment about the composition of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors and how hard (or impossible) it would be to get a similar project built in some remote mostly-white area (assuming one exists). Now, take a look at the Madison Board. Fair is fair. At least the Madison Board isn't spending 100% of the county largess on personal enrichment and passing out favors. (I said 100%).
So bag boy wants to bring this morass to Madison. God what would the city look like with him in office.
Disclosure: Not 100% a Mary person but I can live with the difference.
The solution is staring you in the face. We should build an underground bullet train between Camden and Canton, with Sharon as the only stop. Economic development. Job creation (of high tech jobs). Workforce training. Surely some federal money. Duh.
What he said^^^^^^^^
Since building the bullet-train tunnel will require some grant-writing and federal assistance, thus the cooperation of Bennie, can't we run a leg off the underground tunnel straight over to the Union Office at Nissan that will be named for Bennie? The whole thing can be named the "John Bell & Bennie Federal Underground Railroad". (for the kids)
@ January 23 11:29
I believe the poster meant the new school on Hwy 43 and the middle school currently under construction across from said high school. Both in the CSD.
Thank YOU for playing.
Then that's what the poster should have said (instead of Gluckstadt). But thank you for displaying your control obsession.
Since you both sign off with 'thanks for playing', just how many parts in the discussion are YOU playing?
Then that's what the poster should have said. But, he didn't. He said Gluckstadt.
And, thank YOU for playing.
Ride out to the area.... this area is not in Sharon... It is closer to Camden, Ms and I agree with the fact that this is back door politics with Carl Banks and Paul Griffin involved. This area is remote... I know b/c I grew up there. No tax base, no stores, ect... This project is to fund the supervisors and their friends that own land in the area... the owners of the land can purchase the land and never file the deed until they decide... So, what that means folks, is that this park could be constructed and it would be years before you would know who might benefit from it! Isn't our system great! and YES the few people that still live in this area and will be affected with this project believe that this project will turn into a sewage lagoon for low income governmental housing close to the area!!! Imagine that, new homes to help boost the Canton School District that is already at a failing state... so read up, the fight is on and hopefully for once, the Taxpayers of Madison County will win!
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