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I was watching the City Council Meeting the other night on TV and the President described the Florence SportsPlex as being a "little-bit" over budget.

That is an appallingly stupid and arrogant and condescending thing to say to taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet. So a $Million and a Half Dollars is of so little consequence to our "leaders" huh?

He said it will be "beautiful" as an excuse to cover the problems out there. It's like don't dare question anything because it is nice and all. That is awful and wrong. As a citizen of Florence this is enough for me.

Most of that City Council has cast their lot with the current "mayor" and it is obvious from watching it that they are all so concerned with protecting him politically and propping him up that they have lost all sight of what is best and right for the City and it's people.

I think the ones so intent on covering up instead of coming clean are in for a very rude awakening very soon.

That includes the current "mayor" who is a huge disappointment to many, many of us out here in the real world where $Millions of Dollars is still a lot of money and means something.

The salaries we are paying some of these people is a total waste of tax money. I want my money back. Good grief.
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This is fleecing of America in the truest sense, taking away of the taxpayers money, this town council should be shown on 20/20 or dateline for the money they have wasted, and should be brought up on some charges for the loans they have looked over to people that should have paid their loans back, instead of taking advantage of the city. I see it coming soon. I know i sent them a report, I hope they investigate it
I haven't followed the politics of the Sports/Plex but I must say that it is looking nice. If they ever get to the tennis court part of it it will be a great draw to the area. I just hope someone can get the end of College Street opened up for easy access to it. If it does turn out ok, it will be the only thing I can see that has been accomplished under the reign of Bobby Irons. What a waste of an office.
quote:
Originally posted by FDR:
I was watching the City Council Meeting the other night on TV and the President described the Florence SportsPlex as being a "little-bit" over budget.

That is an appallingly stupid and arrogant and condescending thing to say to taxpayers who are struggling to make ends meet. So a $Million and a Half Dollars is of so little consequence to our "leaders" huh?

He said it will be "beautiful" as an excuse to cover the problems out there. It's like don't dare question anything because it is nice and all. That is awful and wrong. As a citizen of Florence this is enough for me.

Most of that City Council has cast their lot with the current "mayor" and it is obvious from watching it that they are all so concerned with protecting him politically and propping him up that they have lost all sight of what is best and right for the City and it's people.

I think the ones so intent on covering up instead of coming clean are in for a very rude awakening very soon.

That includes the current "mayor" who is a huge disappointment to many, many of us out here in the real world where $Millions of Dollars is still a lot of money and means something.

The salaries we are paying some of these people is a total waste of tax money. I want my money back. Good grief.


Bobby Irons. What a waste of an office.[QUOTE]

AMEN.
quote:
This is all a bunch of grand standing by Scott Carrier. He would have done the same thing as Bobby Irons



Agreed.

It was the PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION who purchased the property off of Helton Drive for this sportsplex. It is the PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION who purchased the property for the now-defunct Frost Park that could not be used for anything besides a wheat field.

It is the "idiots" in this current administration (including Carrier) who had to clean up this stupid mess. I think they did the very best they could.

Remember, people, there was "due diligence" performed. The soil tests were properly conducted and the construction was properly managed. There was a "small" cost over run. Yes, "small." Compared to cost overruns of other construction, this 1.5 million was "small."

I don't like it, either, but for someone to say that Carrier (or anyone else) would have done differently is really just stupid.

(except for the Regina thing. That was all Iron's but the council could have made a stink and overturned it if they wanted)
Last edited by Guffaw
The City Council had no say in the way Regina Gresham was handled. The "mayor" did that all by himself.

$1.5 Million is not "small" or "little-bit" and it's more than that anyway. People that know, KNOW.

Pointing out the mismanagement and misleading way this project is being pursued is important to me and the people I talk to. We agree and want to know.

Would you rather not know? And let them get away with poor public policy and mis-management unchecked? Really? Why?
Last edited by FDR
I agree money has been thrown away and I do hope it is investigated. Also I have traveled to many sporting events and at every SPORTS-PLEX I have visited it included a competition POOL an indoor and outdoor facility to host Swimming Events. In case no-one has noticed we have had a High School Student receive a Scholarship to College for her Swimming Abilities and there are many more to come. We have Local swim team that has almost 100 members, we have a U.S. Swim Team that has 54 members which will increase in September. The last meet that the U.S. Team attended they sent the host team over $800.00 that is just our local team other teams sent their entry fees in also. Every hotel in that town was booked completely. There are also members of this team that are competing in the long and short course SOUTHEASTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS in Nashville. We also have a High School Swim Team with an ever growing number of members.We also have a MASTERS Team with members making it to the Championships in AUSTRALIA this year. This town could fill every hotel in this area plus have to send them to surrounding areas if they had a competition pool and hosted meets.This council and city has made a huge mistake by not including a POOL in their supposed SPORTS PLEX. Open your your eyes this is a huge and ever growing SPORT. Build an indoor Pool Facility so that at least one other SPORT besides football can bring revenue into this area.
The newspaper doesn't even cover this sport, I am sure not many of you knew we sent someone to Australia a couple of Months ago to compete, and I am sure you didn't know that we have a 10 year old, 13 year old, 14 year old, 20 year old, and 12 year old going to represent the CITY OF FLORENCE ALABAMA in the LONG COURSE SOUTHEASTERN CHAMPIONSHIPS next month. But they are.
I'm not defending or trying to offend anyone but this thread just reminds me that there is no way you can please everyone. This was started to bash the budget over-run and it was pointed out that some didn't think it should have been done at all and now there are others who think it isn't enough. I think a pool would be a great asset to the sports plex but can you imagine the controversy? Some don't understand that you must make an investment to reap a return. I too wish we could get everything for nothing. Then maybe we could all just play nice and get along. Smiler
quote:
ake what is being wasted at the SportsPlex and put it with what was spent at Royal Avenue fixer-upper and the City could have built a great indoor pool facility.


I'm with ya, FDR. We also could have built a zoo, thrown a kegger, built a multi-million dollar race track for RC cars, built a skate park on every corner and perhaps fed a few starving kids.

Or we would have built a badly needed sports complex that will be the envy of this area for years to come.

I mean, I'm all for swimming and all that but we do have a nice pool on Royal Ave. and in Sheffield that can be used for a sport involving almost no one.
obviously these replies are made by people who know nothing of competetive swimming and the revenue it brings into a city. Much more than any Bass Tournament, As much as or more than the Championship Football Game held every year. Controversy about WHAT? More money coming in. You have to be kidding. As I have been taught don't argue with those who do not know the facts.
quote:
these replies are made by people who know nothing of competetive swimming and the revenue it brings into a city. Much more than any Bass Tournament, As much as or more than the Championship Football Game held every year.


Hah! That's just funny. These forums seem to be full of excellent satirists as of late.

You almost had me there.
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Originally posted by pissed off 2cu:
I didnt see any name calling. but dont fret puppy she gets all messed up if you diagree with her dont worry express your feelings. hippyiegirl will do that to ya.


post your proof please. what are you referring to as "messed up"? and the puppy called me 'angelic and wise one'. that is a higher loft than i deserve. i am neither, just a sinner following Jesus.

and puppy of course, express your feelings. we all do.
It's a good thing it was a comedian that said swimming wasn't a sport. I wouldn't want to tell that to the Olympic Swimmers that Represent the United States of America. Or the Athletes that swim as a Sport to represent their respective Colleges or Cities across this Country.Distance Swimming is ranked above Track and Field,weight lifting,rodeo,rowing. On Endurance it is ranked #3 under Cycling and Track and Field Distance, on speed it is ranked 3rd to speed skating and track and field sprints.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills.
quote:
Originally posted by butterflier:
obviously these replies are made by people who know nothing of competetive swimming and the revenue it brings into a city. Much more than any Bass Tournament, As much as or more than the Championship Football Game held every year. Controversy about WHAT? More money coming in. You have to be kidding. As I have been taught don't argue with those who do not know the facts.


Okay, butterflier, you obviously are a swimmer and familiar with the local scene. Educate us, what are the swimming events that come into the city, and how much money does each generate? If the events are bringing in more than the Div II Championship game, then swimming is the most under-promoted activity in the city. Give us the facts, please.
quote:
Originally posted by butterflier:
It's a good thing it was a comedian that said swimming wasn't a sport. I wouldn't want to tell that to the Olympic Swimmers that Represent the United States of America. Or the Athletes that swim as a Sport to represent their respective Colleges or Cities across this Country.Distance Swimming is ranked above Track and Field,weight lifting,rodeo,rowing. On Endurance it is ranked #3 under Cycling and Track and Field Distance, on speed it is ranked 3rd to speed skating and track and field sprints.http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills.


Butterflier, I didn't mean to insult you in any way. I respect your passion for swimming and I don't at all doubt that with the proper facilities we could draw a lot of activity to the area. What I meant was that no matter what facilities the city (or county builds), there is no way they will please everyone. There will be some who will want something different. It's the difference in personalities, abilities and priorities. It's what makes the world go round!

And it amazes me that so many people think their way is the only way. I think we could provide a much better atmosphere if we could be a little more tolerant of others opinions and suggestions. After all, can't we just all get a long and play nice. Smiler
though I understand the sound of a little bit being an oxymoron when you're speaking of a million dollars, please realize that in the realm of things, a million dollars is a little bit over budget when you're talking about the budget our government uses to run the area. If my bills are $1000 a month and I have an extral $100 come up that's 10% of my monthly budget and just a little bit. If my budget is 10's of millions of dollars, the million becomes less than 10% of my budget and therefore, may constitute a little bit. At least from that perspective.

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