News-Record.com

NO! NO! NO!
The answer is not more money, the answer is less developement. About 2 years ago the mega developement company DR Horton asked the Planning Dept to put their OK on rezoning for Worthing Chase Developement on Southeast School Rd. (Right off Alamance Church Rd). The people of the community told the planning board then, that the roads would note support that kind of developement, nor would the schools support that kind of developement. The Planning Board turnned a deaf ear to the people and gave DR Horton their blessing. Now look at what we have, Perkins asking for a $200 million road bond (some of which would be spent on Alamance Church Rd.), and a $1/2 BILLION school bond. At the time of the meeting with the Planning Board the chairman said When deciding to rezone or not, the issue of whether the schools can support a developement is not the Planning Board's concern, that is the School Board's concern. Well maybe if the Planning Board and the School Board and the Department of Transpartation would get together and talk, we wouldn't need over $700 MILLION in bonds. The Planning Board is nothing but a bunch of developers aproving more developements for other developers. There is never a new developement they don't like. VOTE NO ON ROAD BONDS and SCHOOL BONDS.

No more bonds! Property taxes have gone up the last 5 or 6 years to pay for all these bonds. My mortgage payment feels like a ARM because the escrow account keeps having to catch up to the tax bill.

NO MORE BONDS!!! VOTE NO ON ALL OF THEM!!!

The transportation bonds don't pay only for new or expanded roads. Those people who took the time to read the bond proposal, either online or in person at a public meeting, should have noticed that many of the transportation projects enhance safety and quality of life for area residents.

A couple of examples: Bike lanes, sidewalks, and greenways, which provide safe space for bicyclists and pedestrians, and help improve air quality and personal health; and streetscapes, such as on Church Street and the Summit Avenue Corridor, that not only provide safe pedestrian corridors but also improve the attractiveness and property/business values in those parts of the city.

The necessity for intersection and bridge improvements, as well as expanded access to public transportation are also obvious.

When I weigh my concern for over-development (which I am absolutely against) with concern for my safety and wellbeing, the latter wins every time.

I will support the bonds.

When I weigh my concern for over-development (which I am absolutely against) with concern for my safety and wellbeing, the latter wins every time.

It is statements like the above that our over-spending officials depend on. All you have to do is mention "safety" or "school children" the they expect our wallets to fly open. I'm sorry but I am for spending the tax payers money wisely. I wonder, how much would ever be too much when talking about "safety" or "school children"?
Is there no limit?

Anything that is a safety issue should be a priority budget item. If our Council and Managers can't deal with these items as part of the budget they are not doing their job.

Bike lanes are a safety hazard and not required. Sidewalks are required to be built by developers (the city lets them get away with breaking this law because they are developers/Council members/council owners!). Greenways and trails are recreational and are nice, but not required. They don't maintain the ones we have. And, like every project they approve, there is never any consideration for future maintenance.

Could someone explain this:
"Without a major bond, I think we're going to put ourselves at a severe disadvantage for future funding," said Perkins, chairman of the regional transportation planning group.
Is he saying if we don't plan and just create debt we are better off? Having a bond/debt isn't a requirement for federal money.

These City Clowns insist on being in every loosing business venture (coliseum) they can, but ignore the one business they should be running. Put together a real budget and you don't need loans. Stop expanding beyond means and start taking care of what we have.

You don't give loans to a business that can't budget.