News-Record.com

It's easy. It's the same way that the county tells you to "stay away" from certain schools. It's called, "Hand over your tax dollars and do what you're told."--You've never experienced this before?

Poor Dougie, are you feeling slighted? Get use to it. It's time you tasted your own medicine.

Dear Moooove over:

Didn't your mother teach you manners? I guess not. Same goes for several of you who insist on posting rude, off topic comments here. I sure hope ya'll don't run into any market guests this week. With your brand of hospitality, we can kiss the market goodbye.

-The Committee for Decency in Blog Postings

I'm sorry that the truth hurts. There, that's the apology that my mother taught me.

In fact, I will be seeking out market go-ers to urge that they go to VEGAS.

The Committee to Make sure that High Point Goes the REST of the way to Hell.

I'm flattered that they're reading my blog out in Vegas. Now get back to the blackjack tables, MO.

Now, MO, that's a hard decision!!! If I were a buyer, where would I choose!!

IT'S VEGAS BABBBBBBBBY!!!! High Point has enough of my money (taxes) and to top it off the schools stink!!!!

To all: For the mayor and other High Point leaders, there is market, and then there is market and then what else is there, you guessed it, market. There is the concern to get back the Simeon stadium for market parking. There is no concern about people moving OUT of High Point because of the school lottery situation and taking their tax dollars with them.

Las Vegas is building a brand new showroom. They will continue to be one step ahead of the game. They have lots of room to grow.

I don't know about the people who blog out in Vegas but I have heard of other efforts by angry High Point residents to help promote the Vegas market. Their kids have been abducted and their jobs do not depend on the market. Of course, you can't believe everything you hear.

Helen,

Thanks for your comment. I think you're right that you can't believe everything you hear.

I certainly can't believe that anyone in High Point, no matter how aggrieved about the schools, would hope that High Point loses the furniture market to Las Vegas. Would someone be so unhappy with the Bush presidency that they'd hope for another 9/11 on his watch? It would take the same sort of mentality.

While some people may move out of High Point because of the schools, more continue to move in. The overall economic impact is minimal. Loss of the furniture market, on the other hand, would cause severe economic disruption, drop property values substantially throughout the city and leave residents with the cost of maintaining city services without benefit of the revenues generated by market properties and activities. That's a pretty stiff penalty for assigning a few dozen high school students to Andrews or Central instead of Southwest.

Doug, All I can say is this is what I heard. People do very strange things when it comes to messing with their kids. You are right about rumors.

It is not a rumor that people are continuing to move out of High Point. Take a drive through North High Point or Jamesford Meadows one Sunday afternoon and count the "for sale" signs. I totally disagree with the economic impact being minimal as people move out and property values in High Point decline. What about promoting new developments?

With Bush, your comment did not make sense. President Bush did an outstanding job with the "911" situation. If another "911" were to happen, he would only shine even brighter. No decent American would wish this on our country. It was a poor analogy, in my opinion.

Thanks, Helen. I wasn't trying to suggest analogous situations but similar mentalities -- the attitude that, if something goes badly for me, I want everything to go worse for everyone else, whether they have anything to do with my problem or not.

Doug,

Understood. I guess what is not understood is that some people are so angry and are moving far away from High Point. They really don't care what happens to High Point because of the anguish is has caused in their lives. They feel elected officials of High Point could have spoken out and did not. They do blame the High Point officials for not helping when they could. No one knows what makes people tick. I guess you would have to be in their shoes to know that.

I suppose we all will have to wait to see what effect this has on all of us in years to come. That is for those of us who still live here.

Maybe there could just be a lottery to get into the concert, they work real well in High Point.

Those who lose the lottery could then all hop over to Simeon Stadium for a Fantasia concert and book signing. Grier, Dot, and Susan could taking turns saying F-A-N-T-A-S-I-A.

Doug,

That was a pitiful analogy!!! Futhermore, you tell me how you would explain to your 12 year old that he might not go to HIGH school with John down the street who he has been with since 1st grade? My child is not going to be used as commodity to make your precious Central high great again. North High Point is where the growth is so you and your socialites need to get over it! People are moving out of High Point, and you think the economical impact will be minimal! I hate to break it to you, but the word is out to stay away from High Point. Do you think people don't research an area when they are moving from out of state!

I have lived in other areas of the US and have never experienced such CRAP in my life. I am sick and tired of you and all the Dot wannabe's that continue to make US pay for the choices other people make. I will not apologize for working hard and buying in a DECENT neighborhood. That's right, Doug, I said DECENT! Not affluent! Decent!!!

helen
you are right
i live in high point, and i'm moving as soon
as i can, because of the forced busing,
because of elected officials who do not
care about my children and their education,
i don't wish bad on anyone, but i won't be
living in high point, so me and alot of others
will care less where the market is

HPvoice,

I am right behind ya!!! My husband had the option to stay here another 3 years, and we decided to go! It really was a no-brainer because of the schools.

We are very lucky because my husband's company will buy our house so no worries there!

I really feel for others who aren't so lucky!

Can't wait to go back home!!!!

ontheroadagain
i'm one of the lucky ones, my kids are first and second grade, i've got a few years to save money,
and i have a few years to vote out some people,
then i'm outahere, and i will still be close by
and i will not forget those who disgraced my
fellow high pointers

I have lived in High Point for 16 years. Neither my spouse or myself are involved in furniture.

I have never had the "honor" of touring the showrooms at Market. (I know people that live in Emerywood and they are able to get passes anytime) I don't rent my house twice a year. The only thing I get out of Market is increased traffic, long lines and increased prices at restaurants that use "Market Menus".

The mentality of downtown High Point that only looks after their own has come to bite them in the butt. They feel like everyone else owes them something. They expect us "outsiders" to fix their schools and they expect us to support their market.

Not gonna happen from me!

I have a better idea. Everywhere I see one of those "Welcome Home Market Visitors" signs posted on the side of the road, I am going to place a "Wanted: New School Board and Superintendent" sign. That might wake Becky up!

I'm sure all those signs are posted legally, right?

Sign, the furniture market has an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion, according to a UNCG study. That makes it important to more than downtown High Point.

Have you really lived around here for 16 years?

Doug,

Not to change the subject but kind of on the subject. A recent People's magazine article quoted many things what Fantasia had to say about High Point. Basically it stated that it was an impoverished area, she was illiterate and had a child as a teen. Recently the Enterprise had a report trying to discredit her. But I would think that thousands of readers all over the country read People Magazine. This has got to hurt High Point's image.

No, it's not good for High Point, BA.

I don't know how illiterate she was; I've heard conflicting reports. She did have a baby as a teen, which is hardly unique to High Point. I supposed what she saw of High Point might have seemed impoverished. But her book contains quite a few inaccuracies about High Point -- not that most readers will know that.

ALl that said, High Point does have lots of problems, including too many undereducated young people like Fantasia who CAN'T sing.

Here's your sign,

You are so right; they expect outsiders to fix their schools. I won't do it I tell you! Come hell or high water I will work 4 jobs if I have to put my kids in private school.

Excellent idea on the signs.

I really have lived here for 16 years and I am sure the market brings lots of money to High Point.

Are my property taxes lower because of the market? Do we have better streets? Better schools? I know we have some really nice showrooms (they look nice from the outside). But we also have some really, really poor people that live within a couple miles of downtown. How have they benefitted?

The way I see it, the market is all about downtown which is the same downtown that has the biggest division between haves and have-nots. I just can't believe that EVERYBODY benefits.

Doug,

First of all between this site and the CB, the big print is killing my eyes. Guess they will adjust. Website change for older readers, I suppose??

Excellent final point in your last post.....
"undereducated people like Fantasia who can't sing". This is one of many problems I have with the IT Lottery Plan. To offer courses like Acting 101, Puppetry, Mime and dance classes to kids who have never taken dance, how does this help them prepare for the real world? It doesn't. How many kids will make it to the top in the art world? It is highly competive, full of heartbreak, and only the cream of the crop in talent make it. I not saying don't have the arts in school, but kids need the basics first.

Why can't we give all kids a basic traditional education so the can go into a trade or business, or go on to college if that is what they want.

To me shows like "American Idle" only help perpetuate the idea that one talent can replace a sound education. I have heard of hopefuls at the tryouts saying they will be the next Fantasia. There is only "ONE" American Idle. What are the odds?

It's similar to star athletes who then injure themselves - then what? No matter what special talent/career someone pursues, nothing can replace have a solid education to fall back on.

sorry meant to say "Idol" - the big print is getting to me (and it's getting late) - I can ususally spell - maybe one day you all will get spell check - not that this would have mattered in this case - there is the case of engines "idling"

sorry meant to say "Idol" - the big print is getting to me (and it's getting late) - I can usually spell - maybe one day you all will get spell check - not that this would have mattered in this case - there is the case of engines "idling"

BA, I agree with you about the type. I'd like to see it enlarged.

Sign, we do have better streets, services and schools (buildings, anyway) because of the revenue generated by furniture market. Not everyone benefits equally, of course. It's safe to say we'd all be much poorer without it.

Doug,

The print has been enlarged. It is HUGE and now hard to read. It jumps out at you. You can't read and get the "total concept" as well.

Do you think the graphics people did this on purpose to irritate us?

Barbara Ann,

Check your settings - it's your computer, not the web page.

Doug,

You started this strand by complaining about why the City of High Point threw a party at the cost of $10,000 to the taxpayers for the sole benefit of the market-goers. You correctly questioned government's right to do so.

But, then, you began arguing that the market is good for High Point and the entire area to the tune of $1 billion to the local economy. I'm confused about what your position is. If you believe that the market means so much to High Point's economy, why are you questioning their spending of $10,000 for the entertainment of market goer's? You sound rather conflicted on this issue.

it seems that the city government is working hard to protect its stake in the market, but it may be too little, too late. If the city hadn't been gouging market goers for years by jacking up prices when they were in town, they might not have allowed Vegas to gain such a foothold. It seems that High Point has taken that motherlode for granted for far too long. Perhaps, a party for market goers is just a little too late. You can't keep them down in High Point when they've seen the city lights of Vegas.

This whole issue brings to mind doubts that I had last year when High Point spent $70,000-80,000 of taxpayers' money to put up the Fantasia Home signs. I thought that was a waste of money as well. After all, how much significance will there be in a few years to being the home of someone who won a singing contest on television? And, then the singer disses High Point, moves to Charlotte, and writes a book dissing High Point once again. It makes that expenditure of $70,000 look like a bad investment. Those signs now will just remind market goers of all of the negative things that Fantasia said about High Point.

Stormy,

Thanks for the perceptive comment. Yes, I'm a bit conflicted. Maybe we all are.

A public expenditure for private use is bad in principle. It's like the Dell incentives -- more than $300 million for 1,500 jobs. But we accept it because we need those jobs, or we need the furniture market. You can rationalize.

Is the market in HP a lost cause? I don't think so. High Point still has a lot of advantages, but it has to plug up its holes. A party or a concert won't do it, but it helps. It shows HP is trying.

Next, those hotel rates have to come down. Again, a bad principle -- interfering with the free market system, the law of supply and demand. But someone has to step in and do what's best for High Point.

Doug,

I'm not conflicted about the Dell Deal at all. I was against it fromthe start, and I thought it was criminal for our government to use taxpayer money to buy private business development. This is the reverse of socialism, taking money from the rich to give to the poor. I don't agree with that, but at least, I understand the concept of welfare for the needy. What I can't understand is Democrats, who always proudly say they are for the little man, pushing corporate welfare through to enable giving millions to wealthy companies like Dell. Robbin Hood would be confused if money was taken from the Merry Men and given to the Sheriff of Nottingham. Who's next, Bill Gates? Maybe he is in the need of a couple million.

Mark my words, North Carolina will regret that move one day. Taxpayers in this state continue to be soaked by those clowns in Raleigh.

Come on Dougie, if we didnt spend the money to get Dell here then somebody else would of.
How do you expect this region to survive if you don't do things like Fedex and Dell.
Dont be short sighted.
The "market" is dead and everybody who thinks opposite is stupid. The neglect of HP and its dependence on the "market" will turn it into a ghost town of empty show rooms.
The lack of forsight of the leaders and the influential has done this.
Their greed and ignorance will bring turn this place into "Low Point" very quickly.
We need more Dells.....

By the way. The same is happening with the schools.

Doug,

Back to your comment about a "stiff" penalty to pay for a few students being bused to Andrews and Central. That is not it. It is the dominoe effect. It is the parents who don't want their kids bused, who move and have their house on a market for a long time and take a loss.

More important it is the homeowners caught in the crossfire of the effects the "choice" plan and forced busing has had. A husband gets a transfer out of the area, the wife is stuck here with all the every day pressures of taking care of the family and trying to sell a house that won't sell and losing money on top of that.

That puts a lot of pressure on families who may not even have kids in school. But is sure has effected their lives and it sure will affect HP's ecomonmy in the long run.

When you mess with people's kids, their family and their livelihood, they do become quite angry and rightly so.

BA