The meeting's tone changed dramatically once Mr. Sigman began taking questions. It was contentious and highly emotional. Most of the people present were there specifically to discuss the RV/trailer park and there was overwhelming opposition to the proposal. After much back and forth between the PRV and leaseholders and Y parents, the discussion was basically tabled. We were told that the decision on whether to add RV pads in front of the Reservoir Y would be made by the PRV board. We were not told when the board would meet nor when this topic would be discussed and decided.
The PRV is on record as saying they are proposing an RV park directly in front of the Y to generate new revenue. They are also on record saying that they are only charging $350/month plus electricity for current monthly "campers" at the Timberlake Campground. Some of those "campers" have been there for years and live in the campground year-round. They have made improvements to the RV pads that include wood decking, wrought iron fencing and extended concrete patios. Some of those pads are not occupied by RV's but by actual trailers. Hence, we are calling the proposed expansion into Lakeshore a trailer park vs an RV park.
The PRV says there is a long waiting list to "camp" at Timberlake so why not expand into Lakeshore. What they did not admit tonight, despite leaseholders and parents saying it repeatedly, is that the demand is artificial because they are charging a low rental fee and they do not limit the amount of time an RV (or trailer) can park there. The solution is fairly simple: if the PRV needs money, raise the rent on Timberlake and kick out those who are enjoying a permanent low-rent, waterfront lot. It's a campground, not a trailer park.
When the PRV admitted people are living there on a full-time basis, I asked them if those residents were paying taxes to the Rankin County School District. They replied that was up to the renter and not their responsibility.
Our problem with the proposed RV/trailer park is two-fold: first, it's directly in front of the most successful and active Y in the Metro. They have a full after-school and summer program for elementary-aged kids. Those kids are outside constantly, using the fields the PRV wants to pave. Those fields also host Y league soccer matches year round. Secondly, as stated earlier, the demand for RV pads is manufactured and can be met by adjusting the nightly and monthly (do we really need monthly?) rates to market standard. Right now, the rates are some of the lowest in the country for the type of property and amenities the campground has to offer.
We also told the PRV that we did not appreciate having a clientele that is transient in nature staring at our kids as they play and swim. The board chair responded that unless you were a leaseholder you really didn't have a say in what the PRV does. (I think the MS Legislature would say differently, along with the Stennis Report that came out a couple of years ago, but I digress.)
We need two things from you. First, would you please help us keep this issue in the news. We would greatly appreciate any coverage you and your team can give us. The PRV has a history of ignoring the wishes of its leaseholders and doing what was best for its board members or the PRV's bottom line. This proposal smacks of both. Which brings me to my second favor: We have heard through different channels that those long-term "campers" are friends of politicians and that is why they enjoy reduced rates and what is basically a leaseholder-subsidized waterfront lot (by heard I mean that it has been confirmed those "campers" are friends but no one will say who the "campers" are). Is there any way for you to find out who those "campers" are and why they should enjoy such a favor? We think (but cannot confirm) that the push for Lakeshore to become an RV/trailer park is to increase the number of friends receiving this below-market rate.
Strangely, Reservoir resident Governor Phil Bryant has been silent on this proposal.
CMPDD stayed for the q&a for the trailer park, but they made no input at all. Only Sigman and the board chair spoke to the audience. Sigman was uncomfortable at times defending the proposal but the chair basically wants it to happen, to hell with what the public thinks. He's going to need lots of sunshine cast in his general vicinity.
I cc'd Kingfish because I promised him an update on the meeting as well and he was kind enough to offer his video camera to record the meeting. I know he has a reputation for bird-dogging a story and we need all the help we can get.
Thank you for your time, and please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or want to discuss this further.
KF note: here are some pics of some of the rv's submitted to JJ:
48 comments:
I'm a long term camper and I rent a monthly space. As space has become available, I've moved to a waterfront location and I'm not friends with any politicians.
I also have a primary residence elsewhere in which I pay taxes.
It would interesting for discussion to see if this "citizen journalist" could find out how many full time residents of the campground have children in RCSD.
I don't believe it matters how many full time resident have children or don't ... if it is your full time residence you should have to pay those taxes, regardless.
I'm pretty sure the school district would not care whether you have children in school or not. In fact I'm fairly certain they would prefer you not to. Taxes are owed regardless.
Are you paying county taxes? The county does not care whether that is your primary residence or not. Your rate may be lower but taxes are still owed.
While this is one of the few RV campgrounds that isnt all rapey and while i hate that the Y is overrun with kids making it impossible to find parking during fake karate class...i dont think they should expand the pad space. Leave things as they are now, everything, everywhere, leave it as it is....except ditch that stupid stop light at Northshore and 471.
I don't have any children in the RCSD and I still pay property taxes in Rankin County.
What 1:38 really means by 'Im a long term camper' is 'I live in a trailer park.' What happens when the taxpayers want to go camping at their campground? They either can't go, or get a crummy location because of all the trailer park residents.
We should put a time limit on how long cousin Eddie can leave his unsightly RV in our driveway. Same with the sandbars upriver. No one can camp because all of the sandbars have been claimed by one of the river rats as a full time residence.
This whole thing has a smell to it.
What the hell is a 'citizen journalist'? Is that someone who emails a note about a meeting to Kingfish?
I agree that all these assholes who block up camp spaces full time, year round, ruin it for everybody. They actually think they are owed the benefit of a year round pad and place to hang all their artsy lights and clog up the area with grills and fake bottle trees and cheap-ass clotheslines. The campgrounds ought to have a 21 day limit on these scoundrels.
I am a PRV leaseholder and I pay taxes in Rankin County - probably a lot more than many who are "up in arms" over the campground, which has existed, with monthly rentals, for decades. It is well-maintained and filled to capacity most of the time. Not with child molesters, but with those who enjoy the outdoors and fishing, cooking out, swimming and visiting with friends and family. I have a monthly spot at Timberlake that I use on weekends. Monthly renters help ensure the maintenance of the facilities, which I do not believe receive any county funding. And $350 a month, simply for a parking pad, is not "cheap." Believe me, the rates we pay are high enough, coupled with the price of travel trailers and motorhomes. Many campers are retirees. Your property values are not adversely affected. You bought your property, no doubt, after the campground was up and running. Recreation - including camping with an opportunity to be close to the water - is important to the Rez lifestyle. I agree that any expansion should be well backfrom the road and should preserve a buffer zone of trees. What is not needed are more fast food outlets, strip malls and cracker box houses with two or more cars, parked on the streets.
I am the original poster.
First of all, I said that it would be interesting for discussion. I didn't say what was right/wrong, owed/not owed. I guess it started some discussion...
I do not live at Timberlake. I just rent a monthly spot to park a $400K 42' class A motorhome since the covenants in my neighborhood don't allow me to there.
I can guarantee you one thing. The long term folks at Timberlake care about the campground moreso than the "Cousin Eddies" that would just swing in for a couple nights. You wanna talk about unsightly RVs...
I follow the rules. Currently, the rules allow me to use Timberlake as a place to keep my RV year round. If the rules are changed, I'll find other arrangements. I can understand some folks not liking the fact that they don't have access do to people having monthly rentals. I'm not giving up my spot for them...
I just think some people are really off base on this topic and this thread just reinforces why I don't ever post.
3:46,
One more time: It's a campground, not a trailer park.
And I notice you don't address the topic of the story, which is expanding the trailer park to fields in front of the Y.
And no, $350/mo isn't much at all when you consider the land and its location. Which is probably why you've been paying it all these years.
Is the county aware of your "second" home?
"And $350 a month, simply for a parking pad, is not "cheap." Believe me, the rates we pay are high enough, coupled with the price of travel trailers and motorhomes."
The whole point of raising the fees is so you wouldn't be able to afford to do what you are doing. If you want a place on the water, buy a house.
4:27,
If you don't mind me asking, why are "parking" your RV at Timberlake when you could just as easily store it a mini storage? If that's all Timberlake is to you, storage.
They appear to be doing a good job in keeping the Jackson residents out. Maybe Ridgeland should follow their example.
Business 101 you learn that if your mobile home park is full, all you do is RAISE THE RENTS! It is obvious NONE of the board members have any business sense.
Interesting the arrogance of the clowns commenting on their monthly rent and value of their box-coaches. And their utter disdain for the 'cousin eddies' who are just normal people looking for a fun weekend. That poster needs to stick an entire fuschia rope-light up his ass and rotate on it. He probably has Huddle-House deliver in the mornings.
These people who have trailers there currently follow all the rules. Now if you dont like it...have the legislature change them. Until then...STFU
The problem is the PRVW always needs the money, do away with the little police force they have and let the Rankin & Madison
sheriffs handle.
It sounds like some of Rez residents are just pissed because there isn't any room at the campground for their "cousin Eddy" to stay when he shows up to visit family. Too bad because he ends up getting to stay with them in their McMansion.
I have a cousin Eddy and I know that's what I'd do for him if a campground were nearby.
Permanent structures attached to campers and camp sights equals tax loopholes. Damnit. That would save me a couple thousand each year :/ Well played permanent residents of the campground.
Where is Phil Bryant who asked for his neighbors vote NOW, and why doesn't he do something or at least make a comment??? If the PRV needs money they should reinstate the covenants in the subdivisions they built and levy fines against those who violate them. They are only interested in the "easy" money they collect from permanent campers. Having a full-time trailer park/camping area adjacent to subdivisions does affect property values. Let's drive a potential buyer past that on the way to your house that's for sale and see how fast they want you to turn around. The PRV controls plenty of land that is not adjacent to the Y or subdivisions that they could develop for camping instead of using prime real estate. Make them pull out a map to see where else this could go.
Dear Cousin Eddie, you better hurry up and get here. Seems some of these neighbors don't like long term users being at the Campground, they Lease a 100 by 100 lot and think they run the County, don't want anything to change since they have now arrived and rescued us from disaster. Seems like the PRVWSD Board has a respondsibilty to fulfill i.e. to make decisions for the Management to the area-shut up and let them fulfill their respondsibility.
I'm not sure about all this.. My husband and I have often wanted to camp there, but the pads available are not in good shape. It's not exactly the most desirable campground around and surely needs more upkeep. I do have a question though.. $350 month, does that pay for water and electricity? Not just parking..
I dont live or camp there, but I am a PRVWSD lease property resident, and this really has me curious about how all this works..
If the PRVWSD needs to raise money, they should increase the rates on the permanent residents and develop a new campground elsewhere, perhaps on the Madison County side.
11:00 p.m.; You're obviously NOT a camper so why claim that your "husband and I have often wanted to camp there". Any camper with a motor home or trailer or pop up knows that the pad rental includes utilities. Or did you think maybe each pad had utility meters with bills being paid by the camper?
It's hard to tell just WHAT the PRV folks want. Easy income or to provide a quality place for transient campers and travelers? No doubt the former. Transient is the key to camping. That means people who visit periodically or pass through or go from camp to camp enjoying life. As opposed to permanent slobs in barber-shirts, wearing gold chains, who have money to burn and need a place to park the coach while the 'skeeter zapper' pops lightning bugs.
Well Cousin Edith, you're obviously NOT a reader or you would have noticed that the article said "They are also on record saying that they are only charging $350/month PLUS ELECTRICITY for current monthly "campers" at the Timberlake Campground."
a camper who pays $350.00 per month pays more in lease fees a year than the highest paid lease in a neighborhood per year
someone paying $350.00 per month for a lease in the campground is more than a homeowner pays for their lease in a neighborhood. the most expensive lease in a neighborhood goes for $2000.00 a year while a campground lease goes for $4200.00 a year
Just curious, what is the PRV lease cost per acre, and how many $350 pads are there per acre?
7:42 I'm not sure exactly how they determine a lease but i do know it's not by the acreage. I have a friend who lives in a $750,000.00 house and his lease is just $850.00 a year.
7:42, that depends on where you live.
But you folks are missing the point. The PRV wants to put up a trailer park right in front of the Y. A very busy, very successful Y.
For those of you with kids in daycare, would you want your kids being constantly watched by some stranger (with no background check) who could pack up and leave?
For those of you in Madison County, can you honestly say this would even be up for discussion on your side of the spillway?
I am not opposed to the PRV creating a new trailer park. I am opposed to a trailer park at Lakeshore.
To The Libertarian:
I know this is a bit off, but it does have to do with the PRVWSD. I agree 100% about that ridiculous light at Northshore and 471. When they went to a 4-way stop it was perfect for the amount of traffic and the flow of the intersection. Somebody decided we needed a light and now I spend time waiting for a turn light when no one is coming down 471. Baypointe residents get stacked up in the morning and the school traffic in the morning can be a problem as well.
Bring back the 4-way stop!
I am the original poster. Bow to me.
First of all, I said that it would be interesting for discussion. I didn't say what was right/wrong, owed/not owed. But that's not important.
What I really wanted to say is that I own a $400K 42' class A motorhome in addition to a rather expensive home with covenants that preclude me from parking my $400K 42' class A motorhome in my neighborhood. So don't tell me I don't understand sacrifice!
I can guarantee you one thing. The long term folks at Timberlake care about the campground moreso than the "Cousin Eddies" that would just swing in for a couple nights. You wanna talk about unsightly RVs! None of them own $400K 42' class A motorhomes, like me...
I follow the rules. Currently, the rules allow me to use Timberlake as a place to keep my RV year round. I could afford a proper garage for my $400K 42' class A motorhome, but I choose to permanently take up a space and deny all the peon Cousin Eddie types a waterfront spot. We don't want their kind here.
I can understand some folks not liking the fact that they don't have access do to people having monthly rentals. I'm not giving up my spot for them. That's reserved for my $400K 42' class A motorhome that I visit once a quarter.
I just think some people are really off base on this topic and this thread just reinforces why I don't ever post. I'm too wealthy for you plebs.
I think it is time for a photo catalog of all the "long term" units.
Don't have a dog in the hunt, but it sounds like the board needs to put six month leases in place at an increased rate to address the waiting list. After six months you either renew at the market rate - determined by the board, or course - or you go to the bottom of the waiting list. Beyond that, one month rentals can be had, but when your one month is up you have to give up your site for a minimum of one month before you can reclaim it. That allows for people who are coming through the area to spend a couple of days on the lake. Want to stay longer than a month? Sign a six month lease.
I wholeheartedly agree that the Y doesn't need to be fronted by a campground. Or a trailer park...
I am a parent of a Y kid, leaseholder and neighbor to the park. I have lived here several years and have no "beef" with the campground or its residents. I just believe that it sharing such a close space with the Y could make it an appealing spot for a child predator to steak out a target as well as take away recreational space the Y uses for its childcare programs.
On the flip side... I don't see why anyone would want to rent next to a noisy summer camp anyway? Not an ideal peaceful retirement spot. Seems like this is a loose/loose situation.
I would never ever camp at Timberlake after my last experience. I was told that the waterfront sites are first come, first serve, so when once came available, I moved to it with lightening speed. I then found out that the management at the campground was holding it for a brother in law on the way to town. I was harassed by an illiterate attendant almost hourly over the next week, finding something to try and evict us from the site. What a bunch a redness asshole morons.
Grey Poupon:
have you ever considered getting a Class A motor home? Maybe a 42 footer, with a price tag of, maybe, $400K? You're pretty funny, Thurston.
Grey Poupon done flung a cravin on me for a 42 footer....
charge by the night or week. 2 week maximum stay without removing unit for at least one night before returning. no changes to park, no decks or crappy patio covers. this only proves how government cannot run anything. all u whining about having to move your RV are hypocrites, RV are for touring. give all existing residents one month notice.
It is NOT a fact that a year round leaser owes any additional taxes to the city or county or any other entity. That's why leases specify that the lesee will not live there year round. The trailer or Grey's coach is required to have a tag. Absent that, it would be considered a residence with taxes due as appropriate.
Regarding the question as to how many have children enrolled in Rankin Schools, it DOES matter. Establishing an address at the campground skirts the residence requirement of the district.
Pay close attention. I eat my Ritz Crackers with caviar and not Cheez Whiz. More places to park and camp at the Rez are needed. We rolled into town just the other night in something like this. No whare to park and as a result had to miss the twerkfest.
Here to tell you that the 1% don't be puttin' up with ch*t like this else we be gettin' sumpin' dun!
Time to jack them rates to what the market will bare! When my car is towed, it costs much more than $350.00 per month to be storin' at the impound. This low rates are just like socialism and obumercare!
I am not a Rankin County, or Hinds for that matter, resident. Could someone enlighten me as to the anachronisms? Thanks.
Go to Cole's Bluff, Leake County Water Park, Goshen Springs Camp Grounds. Some of those that are parked there look like they came over on the Ark! They are falling apart, have decks as you said, and all other kinds of "oddities". I understood at one time that you could only park a 2 year minimum. Like I said, some of these units came from the dark ages. When we take our motor home, we go to a State Park, we get great rates, and they don't stay filled up with "permanent residents".
Well, what an interesting read and such hate filled diatribes. Timberlake is a great cash cow that PRV loves to milk. I do have a dog in this hunt, Yes I pay county school taxes and my children have long left the schools doors. I have two residences. I find that owning a camper and not using it allows deterioration to set in, storing my camper here, and using it will actually prolong it's life. First and foremost lets do a fact check, for twenty two bucks a night a person can rent a nightly rental spot for up to two weeks at a time, electricity and water is supplied by PRV, only on holiday weekends is the campground at capacity. Nightly rentals may have ten waterfront spots, and they are 25 a night, if my my memory serves me correct. Monthly rentals Non-water front is 300 a month, water is included, but no electricity is supplied. water front spots are 350 dollars per month. Right now according PRV reports, they have 270+ people waiting for a monthly rental spot to open up. Now here's is the interesting spin to their proposal, by moving monthly rentals across the water to lakeshore this will allow PRV to achieve two goals, eliminate the add-on awnings and decking that have now been forbidden, but existing structures have been allow to stand as a grandfather clause. secondly many of the 270 waiting will be given spot once construction has been completed. Trust me on this. eliminate monthly rentals and you will have a campground that is nearly empty 300 days of the year yet maintenance will be nearly the same. Why all this fuss over a facility that has been in existence all these years, but yet not a word is said about the Y being given a pool, and an infrastructure for a single dollar a year? PRV built and owns everything the Y occupies. A $1 a years lease... for 4200 dollars a year they supplied me a concrete pad and a grill. Just Saying!
Everyone is missing the point.
the meeting was held for PRV's land use and zoning study being conducted.
The issue isn't how big your RV is, who lives in RV, etc.
The issue is current and future LAND USE. The overwhelming majority- Y members or not- support the area ea at Lakeshore Park,or any park for that matter, to be developed. Be it huge houses, RV pads, condos, and on and on.
All this about how nice or not RVs and RV'ers are is a side issue.
Not be developed, that is.
Dang phone.
Need a KF Blackberry
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