24 SEP 07: A T.A.D. MORE INTERESTING
A series of public forums begins tonight, on the proposal for Tax Allocation Districts in Columbus. It will be on the ballot November 6 - and if Georgia politicians really had some courage, they'd move up the Presidential primary to that same day.
You may have seen the billboards around Columbus promoting the Tax Allocation District question. I was puzzled by Columbus State University being involved with them, and actually hosting tonight's first forum. If it's a state-run college, why should the campus need a tax district - unless it's going to build a combined dormitory-condominium?
It turns out the Columbus State University business school was asked to host the public forums, by the city government. That should make sure things are fair and balanced - as long as Cunningham Center Director Carmen Cavezza doesn't start telling stories about his days as City Manager.
Part of the Columbus State University web site also is devoted to the Tax Allocation District vote. A check Sunday night found it includes a page with eight "frequently asked questions." Maybe I'm living in the wrong part of town - because the most frequent question I'm hearing is what's wrong with the Auburn football team.
(What do you know -- there's a page on the Internet about C.S.U. T.A.D. F.A.Q's. There's a fun puzzle for your next staff meeting at the office....)
The F.A.Q. page explains Columbus Council would set aside "areas in need of improvement" for Tax Allocation Districts. The two main areas I've heard about for a T.A.D. are Midtown and Columbus South. If anybody suggests one for Whittlesey Boulevard or Bradley Park Drive, be suspicious....
The web site also promises a Tax Allocation District will NOT increase property taxes, and will NOT change the rules for the Columbus property tax freeze. Somewhere Josh McKoon already has printed out this page, in case he has to file another lawsuit.
Money for redevelopment neighborhoods in Tax Allocation Districts would come from the city selling 30-year bonds. I can't wait to see these being offered on eBay - especially if they have Mayor Jim Wetherington's picture on them.
The C.S.U. web site notes a Tax Allocation District has helped build the Atlantic Station project in midtown Atlanta. So if you vote yes for local T.A.D.'s in November, be sure you hold Columbus Council accountable - and demand to know when the Ikea store is coming.
But the web site also claims East Point's Tax Allocation District as a "success" - and that might be a stretch. While several new retail stores opened on Camp Creek Parkway, a Target store didn't last long and has shut down. People apparently preferred the Target a few miles around Interstate 285 in College Park - while looking for the Kennedy and Cohen store whose sign hasn't come down after more than 20 years.
The Columbus State web site admits there are risks involved in creating Tax Allocation Districts. It notes: "TAD's may inadvertently force low- to moderate-income families out of neighborhoods...." Of course, this is happening in Baker Village right now without any citywide vote....
The web site also warns Tax Allocation Districts could lead to "growth and demand for public services that the government is not prepared for and may not be capable of supporting." That may explain why the vote is in November - before the Columbus Park Crossing traffic jams develop in December.
E-MAIL UPDATE: A couple of items from readers hit the InBox Sunday -- including a note from the local pastor we mentioned:
Hello Richard,
May I please clarify something regarding the situation involving Rex Humbard. Prior to going to Ambassador College, I worked for a publishing company that published books for the Rex Humbard ministry. I did not work with his ministry as such. It was the man in charge of the publishing company that made the statement to Rex Humbard that I overheard.
Hopefully that sets the quote straight. But now I'm wondering if that publishing manager was involved in the deal for O.J. Simpson's "If I Did It" book.
We also heard from a reader about our "semi-educated guess" of Friday, involving two Columbus radio stations which swapped spots on the dial:
101.3 the Beat moving to 98.3 has a lot to do with Clear Channel Communications trying to go private (see:
http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20070827/093024.shtml) and they need to get in-line with FCC regulations
The article in that link suggests Clear Channel might not be able to sell WAGH-FM 98.3 and other stations, because of the current tight financing market. Who could have guessed a bunch of hip-hop "jocks" would have something in common with a nice home in Green Island?
And speaking of financing problems: we saw a TV commercial at our post time which we couldn't believe. A housing development in Russell County called "The Grove at Ridgebrook" will give you a new car, if you buy a house! Suddenly the Saint Jude Dream Home has to play "keeping up with the Joneses."
We thank all of you who read and write - and now let's check some things which made news Sunday:
+ District Attorney Gray Conger admitted to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution he's accepted plea bargains in some murder cases because pursuing the death penalty can be expensive. Before you criticize Conger for this, here's something to consider - he hasn't struck any deals with people who counterfeit money.
+ Blue Bell ice cream marked its 100th anniversary, with a touring display at Hollywood Connection which included free samples. Only one thing could have made this more appealing - but Blue Bell did NOT bring BeBe the cow out of hiding, after months of surgery.
+ The Atlanta Falcons lost to Carolina 27-20. Some post-game analysts said the game turned on a series of penalties against Atlanta defensive back D'Angelo Hall. This is where Falcon coach Bobby Petrino shows he's a rookie - because Bobby Cox would have stepped in, and had himself ejected.
(The Panthers had to call on a backup quarterback to get the victory -- but somehow I doubt there will be a move in Charlotte to rename the team CARR-olina.)
+ Instant Message to everyone who's wondering what we think about the death of Marcel Marceau: We have no comment. He probably would prefer it that way.
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