Three years ago I was in the throes of selling one home to buy another, entrusting my investment to a freshman real estate agent. Harry is a successful businessman whose upscale retail store of glassware (Swarvoski and Bacarra) and ceramics (Capo De Monte, Lladro and Hummel) had become a frequent shopping target. I bought trinkets as compared to items that many of his other customers would purchase.
His goal was to upgrade from a $500k house to one twice the value. His professionalism was given with every customer purchase – the slightest flaw was unacceptable. He would return it to the manufacture and scrutinize another piece if it was in stock. I had no doubt his new adventure in real estate would be another success. After a year, he would become his own broker. I was his first client toward that goal.
When he shared his ideas of opening a real estate office, he hinted toward considering me as office manager, but the conversation led to my interest in his guidance to sell my home in Orlando.
Even though he had already given me a few concessions on his fees, he went out of bounds of what a typical agent might provide. He escorted me from Orange to Hernando County so we could both gain from the experience. He knew my circumstances for the move - he wanted exposure to every facet of his new trade.
His first attempts were through the typical means of MLS listings. This was not a good experience. Pre-owned homes were the first considerations. His disgust of what we saw dwarfed my own.
Front yards were poorly maintained but you don’t buy a house with landscaping a major concern. Most often, we cringed at the interiors. There is one house in particular that sticks out among the rest. Every room was dark and dreary.
The family room was poorly kept but the master bedroom was most repulsive. It may have served as a room for picture developing. An unmade bed and all kinds of “debris” lying on the floor were bad but the closets were disgusting. Not a single piece of clothing was hung properly on hangers; a policeman’s uniform was shabbily displayed in front. With cloths strewn on the floor there was little or no walking space.
Then there was the porch. The kick panel had serviced its purpose too many times, dislodged from the framework. Segments of screens were ripped. Harry was the first to suggest we just leave. Other dwellings may have been less offensive but were still poorly shown.
There are some basic principles to be followed if the seller and agent are truly intent on making the sale.
Natural rays of light brighten the house, giving rooms a more open feeling, as does removal of clutter. Personal knickknacks distract buyers from how they envision their own showpieces. Clean floors avoid hygiene from being a concern.
Most of what might be removed to give a more homey feeling won’t be missed. But what about keeping things out of sight? Box it, store it in the garage. It’s a perfect time to do some weeding, a perfect opportunity to hold a garage sale. You’ll also give the buyer the impression that you’re ready to move ASAP.
With all of these suggestions, Harry still wasn’t completely satisfied with the appearance of my home. After 15 years, the home was as clean and neat as anyone could expect. Yet, he had me go a few steps further. On his suggestion, I removed a few wall pictures (and patched and painted over nail holes) for a roomier feeling. He had me place simple flower arrangements in the living room, kitchen and master bath. Highlighting the garden tub would entice women. Mildly scented candles in every room and the A/C set at a pleasant temperature added to the aura of the home.
Harry gave me notice to vacate the house whenever prospective buyers were to tour the house. People are leery of open discussion when the seller is present; they feel intrusive when they should be welcomed.
I didn’t buy a previously owned home in Spring Hill. My realtor was privy to an investor home not yet put on the market. I was very fortunate. It’s near perfect to my wants and needs. But Adams’ architect failed to include a linen closet!
This is not a perfect world, but if your want to sell your house, just remember the interested party is looking to buy a home. A house isn’t necessarily a home unless it looks the picture in the eyes of the prospective buyer.
Showing posts with label Dave Russell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dave Russell. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Monday, May 19, 2008
Fussing Over the Budget
Let the Budget Hearings begin! It’s that time of year again when Hernando County residents find out how the local government intends to spend those hard-earned dollars that go toward property taxes. This will become known as “The Year Of The Fussbudget”. Succeeding years will have a roman numeral.
On that cold day in January, when Florida voters gave Amendment 1 the right of passage, local and state economies are just now about to take interested residents through the economic abyss of fire and brimstone. Property tax reductions mean cutting government jobs and services. Perhaps there will also be some discussion on how to bring in an alternative revenue source that can take a bit of the bite out of the affects of a restricted budget.
Freshman County Administrator Dave Hamilton is seeking approval to hold public meetings to give residents the opportunity to be an integral part of the budget process by letting them air out their wants and have-nots. It’s like nitpicking or removing lint off a wool sweater. Residents would be given the opportunity to pick away at parasitic expenditures and the fluff of government spending.
Hamilton has prior Administrator experience in Crow Wing, Minnesota. His comrade is Budget Director George Zoettlein. I can envision them having spent hours in running over some preliminary numbers, making preparations for the public meetings, coming up with a game plan and standing up, giving each other a high-five while shouting out the battle cry “Let’s DO IT!”
That’s not likely but that level of adrenalin might be needed to get through the budget hearings. Right now, they’re the most important of all public servants. The public of Hernando County will be doggin’ him around through a process to decide who will get their wants and what services will become have-nots.
Hamilton must already realize some residents will place at the top of the “black list” the annual raises given to government employees. The suggestion was submitted during last year’s budget hearings but, as the Commission clearly explained, it’s mandated by the state.
Apparently, the no-raise option is written in stone, making it a mute subject. Complain at the dinner table but not at the hearings. Force reduction will be the primary
THE Bus will be a major object of contention. To discontinue the operation of public transportation would put a hardship on the elder, the infirm and other unfortunate citizens, creating situations where health problems are likely to be remain untreated. Making trips for food and other life necessities, such as providing food for the table, would become other objects of concern. Denying those in need of low cost public transportation denies people a means of having mobility. They would feel left behind, outcasts to society.
Low ridership on THE Bus has, in part, been attributed to the limited routes and existing schedules. Since THE Bus has proven to have been poorly planned and much too costly, alternatives should be in order. Perhaps the use of vans would afford additional routes. They would be less expensive and reduce pollution. The could be called “Da VAN”. Less expense. Less pollution. Funding may be a problem but the idea may warrant consideration.
In this election year, it should be rather intriguing with Commissioners Kingsley, Rowden and Stabins up for reelection. Each of them has been a participant of willy-nilly spending of tax dollars over the past few years. Commissioners Rocco and Russell are serving terms that began January 2007 so they’re in an enviable position that by Election Day 2010 the economy will be on the mend and their challenges may be less taxing, so to speak.
There’s an aforethought that the hearings will have a good degree of dramatics. An array of candidates will play the role of spoilers to the incumbent commissioners. These are the ones to watch as they try to position themselves to gain supporters. Hopefully they will follow protocol, adhering to the allotted three minutes of prime time speaking. Dribble talk isn’t needed. Criticizing, pointing fingers and making token suggestions that others have already made won’t make the grade. Without offering solutions, their words may give pause to their political aspirations.
Of course, reducing or eliminating services, thus employees, will be the main topic at the public workshops where everything can be put on the chopping block. It will be a tedious process, perhaps better presented to citizens with current line-by-line expenditures with residents given the option of using the veto process. A show of hands would prove less obstructive than people yelling Yeas and Nays.
Although the prospect may not be presented at the workshops, but somewhere along the budget process, Hamilton will propose the option of importing State and Federal prisoners from elsewhere as a last stop before being transferred to a penitentiary. Select local low-risk public offenders would be released with ankle bracelets, making space available for prisons that will bring in funds from State and Federals governments.
An estimated $1-million in payments are anticipated. This won’t solve the budget crisis but it would lessen the agony of slashing the $2.6-million shortfall of available funds.
Hamilton started discussion of worked with law enforcements in his job as Administrator in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, where the population is but a third as much in Hernando. St. Cloud is an hour south with a population another third of who live in Hernando. Brainerd, the county seat in Crow Wing, is one and two hours from St. Cloud and two hours from Minnesota/St. Paul. Although the population in these cities rival that of Tampa/St. Pete , Tampa is 40 miles from The Hernando County Jail. Closer proximity to a metropolitan area means more prison traffic.
It’s no secret that jail mates do their primary networking while incarcerated. These prisoners would be a risky breed to mix with those with lesser charges. This would be a valid concern for residents living within close proximity to the jail. Notification letters would be in order.
Identifying and gaining support for reducing government spending will be a slow, painful process. County Administrator Dave Hamilton appears to be ready for the challenge, the first of many. I hope he’s good at dodge ball; flexibility and resilience will be needed as citizens are ready to play kickball.
On that cold day in January, when Florida voters gave Amendment 1 the right of passage, local and state economies are just now about to take interested residents through the economic abyss of fire and brimstone. Property tax reductions mean cutting government jobs and services. Perhaps there will also be some discussion on how to bring in an alternative revenue source that can take a bit of the bite out of the affects of a restricted budget.
Freshman County Administrator Dave Hamilton is seeking approval to hold public meetings to give residents the opportunity to be an integral part of the budget process by letting them air out their wants and have-nots. It’s like nitpicking or removing lint off a wool sweater. Residents would be given the opportunity to pick away at parasitic expenditures and the fluff of government spending.
Hamilton has prior Administrator experience in Crow Wing, Minnesota. His comrade is Budget Director George Zoettlein. I can envision them having spent hours in running over some preliminary numbers, making preparations for the public meetings, coming up with a game plan and standing up, giving each other a high-five while shouting out the battle cry “Let’s DO IT!”
That’s not likely but that level of adrenalin might be needed to get through the budget hearings. Right now, they’re the most important of all public servants. The public of Hernando County will be doggin’ him around through a process to decide who will get their wants and what services will become have-nots.
Hamilton must already realize some residents will place at the top of the “black list” the annual raises given to government employees. The suggestion was submitted during last year’s budget hearings but, as the Commission clearly explained, it’s mandated by the state.
Apparently, the no-raise option is written in stone, making it a mute subject. Complain at the dinner table but not at the hearings. Force reduction will be the primary
THE Bus will be a major object of contention. To discontinue the operation of public transportation would put a hardship on the elder, the infirm and other unfortunate citizens, creating situations where health problems are likely to be remain untreated. Making trips for food and other life necessities, such as providing food for the table, would become other objects of concern. Denying those in need of low cost public transportation denies people a means of having mobility. They would feel left behind, outcasts to society.
Low ridership on THE Bus has, in part, been attributed to the limited routes and existing schedules. Since THE Bus has proven to have been poorly planned and much too costly, alternatives should be in order. Perhaps the use of vans would afford additional routes. They would be less expensive and reduce pollution. The could be called “Da VAN”. Less expense. Less pollution. Funding may be a problem but the idea may warrant consideration.
In this election year, it should be rather intriguing with Commissioners Kingsley, Rowden and Stabins up for reelection. Each of them has been a participant of willy-nilly spending of tax dollars over the past few years. Commissioners Rocco and Russell are serving terms that began January 2007 so they’re in an enviable position that by Election Day 2010 the economy will be on the mend and their challenges may be less taxing, so to speak.
There’s an aforethought that the hearings will have a good degree of dramatics. An array of candidates will play the role of spoilers to the incumbent commissioners. These are the ones to watch as they try to position themselves to gain supporters. Hopefully they will follow protocol, adhering to the allotted three minutes of prime time speaking. Dribble talk isn’t needed. Criticizing, pointing fingers and making token suggestions that others have already made won’t make the grade. Without offering solutions, their words may give pause to their political aspirations.
Of course, reducing or eliminating services, thus employees, will be the main topic at the public workshops where everything can be put on the chopping block. It will be a tedious process, perhaps better presented to citizens with current line-by-line expenditures with residents given the option of using the veto process. A show of hands would prove less obstructive than people yelling Yeas and Nays.
Although the prospect may not be presented at the workshops, but somewhere along the budget process, Hamilton will propose the option of importing State and Federal prisoners from elsewhere as a last stop before being transferred to a penitentiary. Select local low-risk public offenders would be released with ankle bracelets, making space available for prisons that will bring in funds from State and Federals governments.
An estimated $1-million in payments are anticipated. This won’t solve the budget crisis but it would lessen the agony of slashing the $2.6-million shortfall of available funds.
Hamilton started discussion of worked with law enforcements in his job as Administrator in Crow Wing County, Minnesota, where the population is but a third as much in Hernando. St. Cloud is an hour south with a population another third of who live in Hernando. Brainerd, the county seat in Crow Wing, is one and two hours from St. Cloud and two hours from Minnesota/St. Paul. Although the population in these cities rival that of Tampa/St. Pete , Tampa is 40 miles from The Hernando County Jail. Closer proximity to a metropolitan area means more prison traffic.
It’s no secret that jail mates do their primary networking while incarcerated. These prisoners would be a risky breed to mix with those with lesser charges. This would be a valid concern for residents living within close proximity to the jail. Notification letters would be in order.
Identifying and gaining support for reducing government spending will be a slow, painful process. County Administrator Dave Hamilton appears to be ready for the challenge, the first of many. I hope he’s good at dodge ball; flexibility and resilience will be needed as citizens are ready to play kickball.
Monday, March 10, 2008
DA Bus
DA Bus! DA Bus!
There’s nothing but controversy about nearly every action, or inaction, done by the Hernando County BOCC, although there is one exception – the invocation prior to public hearings and the honors, accommodations and acknowledgement of various do-gooders. It sweetens the tone of most other topics. It's the dessert before the main discourse.
In this instance, THE Bus is going through its latest round of condemnation, primarily by conscientious citizens looking for ways to get as much of THE Crap out of wasteful County Government liabilities. This viewpoint is selective in nature, inconsiderate of those who have a valid need for the service.
Elderly residents might be the primary benefactors of THE Bus, an important means for them to get to a doctor’s appointment, pick up a prescription, get groceries or visit a friend or relative. I’ll wager to it is the only option for many. Even though there may be an occasional “free ride” from a friend, neighbor or relative, the reliance on an offer can’t realistically be guaranteed. An illness, an emergency or car trouble would be valid reasons for the driver to find it unavoidable but to renege on the promise.
The poor person would, more than likely, suspect something other than honesty from the driver. An excuse or a lie might be an accusation. An upset, distraught reaction may accompany an emotional outburst with the words, “What am I gonna do?!!?” Tears and depression would be a sad result.
Case in point: elderly citizens must have reliable public transportation. They may also be among the number of indigent people of any age.
What of those who are in a situation that relies on THE Bus just to get to work? An employer isn’t likely to be understanding of repeated incidents of being late or a no-show. Lost wages would be bad in itself; the loss of the job is the ultimate result.
Not everyone can afford to own his or her own transportation. The expense of maintaining a car does nothing but increase; gasoline prices will forever more be in excess of three bucks a gallon and sure to rise.
There are a good number of people trying to get their lives back in respectable order after being cited for possession of drugs, driving while intoxicated or multiple traffic violations of various natures. Perhaps jail time has resulted from whatever infraction occurred. A person can’t get his or her life back in order if they have no means of transport. Again, getting to work is a primary cause of concern; making it to the appointed day and time to check in with a probation officer is paramount. THE Bus may be their last chance at social redemption.
Public transportation in any community is of necessity. Being realistic about the use of such a system determines the success with which it is operated. Somewhere along the way, Hernando County was poorly served with whatever needs-based assessments were used to evaluate the scope of validity of the service.
The size of THE Buses has proven to be a faux pas, a poor judgment in planning. When the number of riders are, at best, a handful, projections of use were way out of line. It's annoying to hear repeated stories telling the tale of two riders yet some residents have also issued concerns (complaints) that the schedules and routes are inadequate.
It appears federal, state and county grants and funding have been mismanaged.
This may be an often-suggested alternative to the current operation of THE Bus system but, under the circumstances, consideration should be given to downsizing, or rightsizing, the scope of providing public transportation.
Providing an appropriate transportation network should be centered on putting more cost effective vehicles on the roads. It makes sense to put in service mini-buses, more in the line of vans that would accommodate, perhaps, a dozen riders. The savings would be immense, the possibility of offering additional routes could follow. An ad campaign with a slogan of We’ll take you there!, coupled with existing commercial advertising would supplement a reasonable schedule of fares. If possible, existing buses could be leased out, or used for special events such as the County Fair.
Current routing doesn’t provide service along Elgin Boulevard, whereby it could be deemed a viable connector from Deltona eastward to Mariner. This could be incorporated to extend service on Deltona from Northcliffe to Cortez. The existing gap is very noticable. Another possible extension would be along Elgin Blvd/Powell Road to Broad Street. County Line Road has yet to be established a route.
Of course, whatever information I was able to obtain from the Web may not be current. At www.hernandobus.com the latest schedules (Blue, Red, Green and Brooksville Routes) were dated April 2, 2006 although on the same site there is information suggesting a revision of services were to be implemented April 2, 2007.
Keeping thing in perspective, the future importance of THE Bus in Hernando County could be brought to light by Commissioner Dave Russell.
Mr. Russell is a board member on a newly established mass transit initiative to establish connector routes along different corridors (connector routes) within Citrus, Hernando, Hillsboro, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. It's more of an honorary position when consideration is given that whatever is to be for Hernando County will be long in coming - very long in coming. Not in our lifetimes.
[You may as well become familiar with the term CORRIDOR, as it has become an often-used word to enhance the meaning and impact of establishing new or improved routes. It is a buzzword for international, national, statewide and local future upgrades to established roads and planned roads alike.]
The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is being funded with $20-million by the Florida Department of Transportation for technical assistance to that TBARTA can complete a Regional Transportation Master Plan with public engagement activities and early corridor studies. The Master Plan has a target date of July 1, 2009, to be presented to the FDOT.
In Hernando County, the corridors are Suncoast Parkway originating in Crystal River in Citrus County south to , and U.S. Highway 19 to Highway 50 into Brooksville. A new corridor shows a route from Brooksville to Dade City to Lakeland.
U.S. 41 is designated as a Freight Rail Corridor, which is just one of many routes along the tracks of CSX.
{Nowhere in these plans is there a reference to incorporate Highway 50 as a corridor from Hernando to Orange County. This route would be of greater impact than taking the simplistic view of Hernando continuously relying on Tampa for whatever growth opportunities may be allowed to come our way.}
Hernando County is destined to remain a melting pot of subdivisions and retail stores and the sooner everyone (including myself) accepts that fate, the sooner those who dislike this type of master planning will pick up and move elsewhere. Northeast Hernando County will take many years before it is engulfed with mass destruction by construction.
Facts, figures and much more information about TBARTA are available at www.tbarta.com.
So when you talk about THE Bus, we can expect Commissioner Russell to educate and keep Hernando County informed on what is in store with public transportation in Hernando County.
No one should expect THE Bus to come to a halt, although its full importance has yet to be realized.
Perhaps THE Buses can be stored for future use when transportation needs equal the degree of ridership. For now, DA Van appears to be a more appropriate means to meet current needs.
There’s nothing but controversy about nearly every action, or inaction, done by the Hernando County BOCC, although there is one exception – the invocation prior to public hearings and the honors, accommodations and acknowledgement of various do-gooders. It sweetens the tone of most other topics. It's the dessert before the main discourse.
In this instance, THE Bus is going through its latest round of condemnation, primarily by conscientious citizens looking for ways to get as much of THE Crap out of wasteful County Government liabilities. This viewpoint is selective in nature, inconsiderate of those who have a valid need for the service.
Elderly residents might be the primary benefactors of THE Bus, an important means for them to get to a doctor’s appointment, pick up a prescription, get groceries or visit a friend or relative. I’ll wager to it is the only option for many. Even though there may be an occasional “free ride” from a friend, neighbor or relative, the reliance on an offer can’t realistically be guaranteed. An illness, an emergency or car trouble would be valid reasons for the driver to find it unavoidable but to renege on the promise.
The poor person would, more than likely, suspect something other than honesty from the driver. An excuse or a lie might be an accusation. An upset, distraught reaction may accompany an emotional outburst with the words, “What am I gonna do?!!?” Tears and depression would be a sad result.
Case in point: elderly citizens must have reliable public transportation. They may also be among the number of indigent people of any age.
What of those who are in a situation that relies on THE Bus just to get to work? An employer isn’t likely to be understanding of repeated incidents of being late or a no-show. Lost wages would be bad in itself; the loss of the job is the ultimate result.
Not everyone can afford to own his or her own transportation. The expense of maintaining a car does nothing but increase; gasoline prices will forever more be in excess of three bucks a gallon and sure to rise.
There are a good number of people trying to get their lives back in respectable order after being cited for possession of drugs, driving while intoxicated or multiple traffic violations of various natures. Perhaps jail time has resulted from whatever infraction occurred. A person can’t get his or her life back in order if they have no means of transport. Again, getting to work is a primary cause of concern; making it to the appointed day and time to check in with a probation officer is paramount. THE Bus may be their last chance at social redemption.
Public transportation in any community is of necessity. Being realistic about the use of such a system determines the success with which it is operated. Somewhere along the way, Hernando County was poorly served with whatever needs-based assessments were used to evaluate the scope of validity of the service.
The size of THE Buses has proven to be a faux pas, a poor judgment in planning. When the number of riders are, at best, a handful, projections of use were way out of line. It's annoying to hear repeated stories telling the tale of two riders yet some residents have also issued concerns (complaints) that the schedules and routes are inadequate.
It appears federal, state and county grants and funding have been mismanaged.
This may be an often-suggested alternative to the current operation of THE Bus system but, under the circumstances, consideration should be given to downsizing, or rightsizing, the scope of providing public transportation.
Providing an appropriate transportation network should be centered on putting more cost effective vehicles on the roads. It makes sense to put in service mini-buses, more in the line of vans that would accommodate, perhaps, a dozen riders. The savings would be immense, the possibility of offering additional routes could follow. An ad campaign with a slogan of We’ll take you there!, coupled with existing commercial advertising would supplement a reasonable schedule of fares. If possible, existing buses could be leased out, or used for special events such as the County Fair.
Current routing doesn’t provide service along Elgin Boulevard, whereby it could be deemed a viable connector from Deltona eastward to Mariner. This could be incorporated to extend service on Deltona from Northcliffe to Cortez. The existing gap is very noticable. Another possible extension would be along Elgin Blvd/Powell Road to Broad Street. County Line Road has yet to be established a route.
Of course, whatever information I was able to obtain from the Web may not be current. At www.hernandobus.com the latest schedules (Blue, Red, Green and Brooksville Routes) were dated April 2, 2006 although on the same site there is information suggesting a revision of services were to be implemented April 2, 2007.
Keeping thing in perspective, the future importance of THE Bus in Hernando County could be brought to light by Commissioner Dave Russell.
Mr. Russell is a board member on a newly established mass transit initiative to establish connector routes along different corridors (connector routes) within Citrus, Hernando, Hillsboro, Manatee, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota Counties. It's more of an honorary position when consideration is given that whatever is to be for Hernando County will be long in coming - very long in coming. Not in our lifetimes.
[You may as well become familiar with the term CORRIDOR, as it has become an often-used word to enhance the meaning and impact of establishing new or improved routes. It is a buzzword for international, national, statewide and local future upgrades to established roads and planned roads alike.]
The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority is being funded with $20-million by the Florida Department of Transportation for technical assistance to that TBARTA can complete a Regional Transportation Master Plan with public engagement activities and early corridor studies. The Master Plan has a target date of July 1, 2009, to be presented to the FDOT.
In Hernando County, the corridors are Suncoast Parkway originating in Crystal River in Citrus County south to , and U.S. Highway 19 to Highway 50 into Brooksville. A new corridor shows a route from Brooksville to Dade City to Lakeland.
U.S. 41 is designated as a Freight Rail Corridor, which is just one of many routes along the tracks of CSX.
{Nowhere in these plans is there a reference to incorporate Highway 50 as a corridor from Hernando to Orange County. This route would be of greater impact than taking the simplistic view of Hernando continuously relying on Tampa for whatever growth opportunities may be allowed to come our way.}
Hernando County is destined to remain a melting pot of subdivisions and retail stores and the sooner everyone (including myself) accepts that fate, the sooner those who dislike this type of master planning will pick up and move elsewhere. Northeast Hernando County will take many years before it is engulfed with mass destruction by construction.
Facts, figures and much more information about TBARTA are available at www.tbarta.com.
So when you talk about THE Bus, we can expect Commissioner Russell to educate and keep Hernando County informed on what is in store with public transportation in Hernando County.
No one should expect THE Bus to come to a halt, although its full importance has yet to be realized.
Perhaps THE Buses can be stored for future use when transportation needs equal the degree of ridership. For now, DA Van appears to be a more appropriate means to meet current needs.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
The Impact of Hideaway Impact Fees
Its no surprise that I'm one of those who agree that 4-1 decision to make Lake Hideaway the next residential development site at a questionable time. The rationale of the vote is further in question because, as reported in the January 16th edition of Hernando Today, “Shaky Economy Halts Talks of Impact Fee Hike”. As it stands, Hideaway lots will bring in less in impact fees than if a delay in the decision had been considered to lessen the impact of more development and the accompanying stresses on the County infrastructure.
County government is lackadaisical in following the basic principle of making profitable economic decisions: make money and don’t give away freebees. It will cost more in taxpayer moneys to provide county services than what will be gained from property taxes. I should think Commissioner Dave Russell, local businessman, would give more thoughtful guidance for the best return on the County's property investments. There was no reason for the Commission to rush the approval of another development; it's come to be known as The Lake Hideaway Giveaway.
The estimated 2,400 homes and 1,300 townhouses on 886 acres at The Hideaway will be more than twice the 1,750 homes on 280 prime acres atop Hickory Hill but not nearly as numerous as the 4,800 residential units and 75 motel rooms on 1,385 acres in the adjacent Sunrise subdivision.
Lest we not forget the 365,000 square feet of retail space at Sunrise and the planned 50,000 sq ft of retail at The Hideaway. The Hill is the only exception, but where there are more people, there are more retail stores with more low paid employees. The average yearly income of a worker in the Hernando is about $28,000 – in the Tampa area the figure jumps to $38,000. The ratio of affordability is not that much of a difference.
So, where will these homeowners work to afford the $150,000 to $350,00 homes at Lake Hideaway? They will have to commute to some destination outside the county. Already, 34% of working people in the county are employed elsewhere.
Commissioner Rowden might find some solace with the token $370,000 set aside for affordable housing, even though the “state formula” indicates it isn’t required in this new development. Her quest for “affordable workforce housing” will have to wait for another day; it’s an elusive pipedream no matter where people live in Florida.
Perhaps of more importance than all else, take into consideration that at the 2007 Hernando County Economic Summit a goal was set to add 10,000 new homes by the year 2025. Since last April, when Hickory Hill was approved, 10,250 units have been approved. On an imaginary grade scale, the Board gets an A-plus for exceeding the goal but Commissioner Rowden, the sole dissenter in each case, brings a suggested FCAT score to a very poor rating.
County government is lackadaisical in following the basic principle of making profitable economic decisions: make money and don’t give away freebees. It will cost more in taxpayer moneys to provide county services than what will be gained from property taxes. I should think Commissioner Dave Russell, local businessman, would give more thoughtful guidance for the best return on the County's property investments. There was no reason for the Commission to rush the approval of another development; it's come to be known as The Lake Hideaway Giveaway.
The estimated 2,400 homes and 1,300 townhouses on 886 acres at The Hideaway will be more than twice the 1,750 homes on 280 prime acres atop Hickory Hill but not nearly as numerous as the 4,800 residential units and 75 motel rooms on 1,385 acres in the adjacent Sunrise subdivision.
Lest we not forget the 365,000 square feet of retail space at Sunrise and the planned 50,000 sq ft of retail at The Hideaway. The Hill is the only exception, but where there are more people, there are more retail stores with more low paid employees. The average yearly income of a worker in the Hernando is about $28,000 – in the Tampa area the figure jumps to $38,000. The ratio of affordability is not that much of a difference.
So, where will these homeowners work to afford the $150,000 to $350,00 homes at Lake Hideaway? They will have to commute to some destination outside the county. Already, 34% of working people in the county are employed elsewhere.
Commissioner Rowden might find some solace with the token $370,000 set aside for affordable housing, even though the “state formula” indicates it isn’t required in this new development. Her quest for “affordable workforce housing” will have to wait for another day; it’s an elusive pipedream no matter where people live in Florida.
Perhaps of more importance than all else, take into consideration that at the 2007 Hernando County Economic Summit a goal was set to add 10,000 new homes by the year 2025. Since last April, when Hickory Hill was approved, 10,250 units have been approved. On an imaginary grade scale, the Board gets an A-plus for exceeding the goal but Commissioner Rowden, the sole dissenter in each case, brings a suggested FCAT score to a very poor rating.
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