Feb
25
The State of Downtown
ByAt the State of Downtown Luncheon hosted by the Downtown Association, I learned a lot about what’s what. One of the people who did the educating was a virtual Joe Minicozzi in a video piece prepared for the occasion. Here’s Part One; go to the Downtown Commission site to view the rest. You may want to tape your jaw shut to keep it from hitting the floor when you see the facts within.
If you like what you see, please think about becoming a friend of the downtown, $35/year for a family membership! The Downtown Association would love your support. They’re doing the yeoman’s task of advocating for Downtown, and they could use the validation and support.
19 Comments
February 25th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Joe knows his stuff like nobody else in this town. It’s worth noting, however, that his application to join the Planning and Zoning Commission was passed over again, this time in favor of a housewife with a high school diploma and absolutely no experience in anything related to urban planning or government service. Is this really the best that Council can do?
Thanks for supporting Joe, Gordon. But geez…
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February 25th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
“a housewife with a high school diploma and absolutely no experience in anything related to urban planning or government service…” Your elitism is showing, I don’t know this person, but I see a lack of indoctrination from college and government not a barrier to common sense decision making,
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February 25th, 2010 at 1:06 pm
I read that Joe and Nelda Holder were passed over. Joe would not have been my first choice either, but you guys missed a a great chance in not putting Nelda to work. I was on the URTV board with her for a couple of years. She is exceptionally knowledgeable and conscientious. Perhaps the final choice is also, her I do not know.
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February 25th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
I agree with you on Nelda, Ralph. She was actually my first choice among P&Z candidates, but she didn’t even get interviewed.
And no slam on Holly Shriner. I’m sure she’s a lovely person, but if you look at her resume, it’s a real head-scratcher why she wound up on this Commission while exceptionally qualified folks like Nelda & Joe got passed over.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:22 pm
Okay, thumbs-down me, I don’t care. Perhaps I’ve found why Holly Shriner applied for & was given a seat on P&Z. Her husband is one of the partners in Chris Peterson’s Deal Buick site development.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
For the record, I voted for Mark Brooks and Joe Minicozzi.
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
I appreciate that Gordon. In the interviews, did she or anyone else disclose that she may have this glaring conflict of interest?
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February 25th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
we need more studies like this – wow – it is really well done – good work joe!
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February 25th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
What is the status of the Deal Buick site? Will it come before P&Z at any point in the near future?
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February 25th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
I believe it’s pretty much dormant right now, but I haven’t been following things closely. However, given that the term for a P&Z seat is three years, I think it’s safe to predict it will come up while Mrs. Shriner is on the Commission.
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February 26th, 2010 at 7:36 am
Barry, I was unaware of that relationship until you mentioned it here.
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February 26th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
The applications are here if you’re interested:
http://www.ashevillenc.gov/WorkArea/showcontent.aspx?id=20816
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February 27th, 2010 at 10:13 am
Yes, in the interest of full disclosure, one would think that Holly Shriner might add this to her resume, right after housewife, middle school chaperon, empty-nester:
“Oh, and my husband is a partner and investor in what will almost surely be one of the biggest and most controversial developments to come before Planning and Zoning during the next term.”
Esther, do you regret casting the deciding vote for Holly, now that it looks, well, not so good?
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February 28th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
It’s not elitism to expect that candidates with the qualifications of Joe and Nelda should be considered before someone with no track record at all in community planning issues. Shriner’s application talks about being in the PTA … well, why not go for the school board? Sounds like a better fit for her interests. However, her investment in the Deal Buick property reveals a very strong motivator to sit on P&Z that went unmentioned in the application or the interview.
Will the ones who voted for Shriner reveal if they knew the connection? Please ask every one of them, Gordon. How did Nelda not end up in the final four? She’s a hero in this community.
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February 28th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Hey,
So what do you all think of the videos?
I do think the P&Z discussion could use its own separate page and more information. I have a bunch of questions that could use some answers/discussion.
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February 28th, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Joe, it’s not always about you. Sometimes it’s about us talking about you.
Sorry, just kidding. I agree, you’re right – this P&Z stuff has sidelined the interesting discussion that your video should have started. Sorry for initiating the bitchfest…
Maybe the Hooligans will start a “P&Z” thread?
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March 2nd, 2010 at 12:30 am
Question for anyone who knows the following:
1. When will County Council make the determination which method to use for sales tax allocation – ad valorem or per capita? The latter would have contributed $3.5MM to this year’s (2009-2010) coffers as opposed to the projected $1MM deficit that will be paid for out of the city’s savings. The net result would have been a $2.5MM surplus if I count correctly.
2. Does anyone other than me think that lobbying county council to “be fair” by using the per capita method is a viable way to close the projected $5MM 2010-2011 deficit? Ben Durant covered this in City Council meeting last week.
I may be missing something here, just trying to figure out if I am seeing this problem/solution correctly.
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March 2nd, 2010 at 9:27 am
Jason,
They will do this as part of their budget deliberations in May or June.
Lobbying County Commissioners on behalf of City residents is a fine strategy. I’d encourage you to do just that, keeping in mind that they then have to make up the difference for all County residents.
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March 2nd, 2010 at 10:50 am
Jason:
I wouldn’t say that the math is that “clean” on the retail taxes, but it is close. The bigger point is to have the numbers run and for stake holder groups to be involved. For our organization, (the Asheville Downtown Association) it became obvious that we need to be involved in the decision and argue for our members and downtown. I think by extension, the people of Asheville should do the same. It is a transparent decision that happens once a year. And to paraphrase Woody Allen, we have to show up. I believe our organization will do so and I expect that the City will resolve to do the same. I don’t know how things went down in the past.
Thanks for watching the videos. I hope you found them informative. If you support the work of the Downtown Association or are passionate about downtown Asheville, please consider becoming a member or friend of the organization.
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