It's all right here. Hanover Realty, Inc., owned by Mayor Bill Saffo, has had their Articles of Incorporation suspended by the NC Secretary of State for TWO YEARS, and just had it reinstated yesterday. They have operating normally for two years as a corporation - illegitimately. The local media has not only ignored it, but refused to run the story; and Hanover Realty was reinstated one day after the local media was contacted about this story! You do the math...http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/Filings.aspx?PItemId=5273734
How can we trust a man to be our Mayor who can't operate within the bounds of the law in the private sector? Bill Saffo and Hanover Realty has some serious splainin' to do - but with a complicit media, bent on nothing more than protecting him, and demonizing the character of his only opponent - what do you do? Please pass this on to everyone you know in Wilmington. If this was Paul Knight in the crosshairs, you would see around the clock coverage on this story, and a local media feigning outrage. Absolutely pathetic. Shame on the Star News!
Saffo's Company - Illegitimate Operations for TWO YEARS!
October 30, 2009, 8:53 amBREAKING NEWS: City Complicit in Using Taxpayer's Resources for Healthcare
October 22, 2009, 1:32 pm
This just in: The city of Wilmington claims that a Democratic group misrepresented themselves to use the MLK Center (taxpayer funded) as a phone bank to call and rally support for the Democrat Healthcare plan. The city did nothing to investigate the group's affiliations, and claims that they were fooled. Read the report here: http://www.wwaytv3.com/grassroots_project_takes_phone_educate_healthcare/10/2009
For the NHCGOP's response, please click here: http://www.mccoyforcouncil.com/NHCGOP_Press_Release.pdf
Who's really to blame here? City government should NOT be using taxpayer resources to support partisan political causes - I don't care what party you are from.
For the NHCGOP's response, please click here: http://www.mccoyforcouncil.com/NHCGOP_Press_Release.pdf
Who's really to blame here? City government should NOT be using taxpayer resources to support partisan political causes - I don't care what party you are from.
Campaign in Overdrive
October 7, 2009, 1:28 pm
I know it's been a while since I've updated you on what's been going on. There is so much, I don't even know where to start.
Crime in Wilmington has been a hot topic lately, especially among the candidates. The FBI's 2008 URC Report shows that Wilmington has 2.66 police officers per thousand, and that the national average is 3.0 officers per thousand. The report also shows that the national average of violent crime is 454 incidents per 100,000 citizens; Wilmington rang in at 778 incidents per 100K - that's almost DOUBLE. Obviously, we need to do something about this. I keep talking about adding police officers, instead of cutting them as our current council has done this year, and I'm getting more scrutiny about where I would come up with the money to pay for them than the incumbents are getting for cutting them in the first place!
Well, let's see. We gave away another $100,000 to the Louise Cameron Art Museum as we have done for the last 4 years, I think I'd rather have safer streets. It's a private museum that charges you when you walk in the door - plus with a name like Cameron on it, they're certainly not hurting for our money. We also gave away cash to big businesses this year to the tune of around $200,000 - I would save us this money if possible, and instead work for tax incentives that stimulate long-term growth and are also extended to our local small businesses which have been neglected by our local government.
There is plenty of other waste and excess in the budget that we could salvage with a "scalpel" approach, and certainly by enacting a zero-based budget. All of these are ways to free up some money for necessary functions of government - without raising taxes.
Also, city council voted last night to go forward with a plan to install showers for "transient boaters" at the foot of Market Street on the river. We're going to lean on some state money for this, but the city taxpayer's will kick in $50,000 for it. The real gem is that the people that pay for it, Wilmington taxpayers, can't even use the facilities! The doors will be locked 24-7, and boaters will be given keycode access via radio when they dock. Furthermore, the area at the information center with the benches and tables that schoolchildren use when they take field trips downtown will be destroyed as they build this thing. More wasteful, reckless, ridiculous spending that hurts our community.
There was one citizen who went through the onerous task of filling out paperwork two days ahead of time to have the "privilege" of addressing council. When they were talking about this issue with the showers, he stood up to talk, and was told to sit down and wait until the end of the meeting. Understandably dejected, he reluctantly took his seat, and then council cast their vote in favor of the project. After the end of all other business, he was allowed by the Lords of Council to bow and approach the throne. He gave good reasons why this was a waste of taxpayer money, but admitted that it was futile to even address the issue since the vote had already been cast. Quietly, he took his seat, and the meeting was adjourned.
If I'm elected, I can tell you that I will fight to allow any citizen to speak on any issue BEFORE votes are cast. I understand that you can't be there all night, but at least limit the feedback to three people per issue. If there are many more who want to address their council, the issue will have to be postponed until a public hearing can be scheduled. You empower the government as citizens. You have the right to address your elected leaders. How dare they thumb their nose at the public and carry out their own bidding without so much as the smallest concern for public input. To add insult to injury, they have all claimed lately that transparency and open government are alive and well in Wilmington. What a joke.
Another goody from last night is a very quick vote that they forced through which enables some hidden conglomeration of attorneys and financial advisors on the public dole to look for ways to unload the $24 million in debt that the city has accrued due to overreaching and overspending on capital projects the last 2+ years. $24 million! That's a lot of bread. That's what happens when big spending politicians take the reins and have a constant hand in your pocket to fund their own goals. You can rest assured that the only verdict if they have their way is to raise YOUR taxes next year to pay their debt. I hope the voters of Wilmington put a stop to this madness at the ballot box.
Remember, early voting begins October 15th and lasts through the 30th. All you have to do is show up at the County Board of Elections office during normal business hours and vote there. In and out in a snap.
Crime in Wilmington has been a hot topic lately, especially among the candidates. The FBI's 2008 URC Report shows that Wilmington has 2.66 police officers per thousand, and that the national average is 3.0 officers per thousand. The report also shows that the national average of violent crime is 454 incidents per 100,000 citizens; Wilmington rang in at 778 incidents per 100K - that's almost DOUBLE. Obviously, we need to do something about this. I keep talking about adding police officers, instead of cutting them as our current council has done this year, and I'm getting more scrutiny about where I would come up with the money to pay for them than the incumbents are getting for cutting them in the first place!
Well, let's see. We gave away another $100,000 to the Louise Cameron Art Museum as we have done for the last 4 years, I think I'd rather have safer streets. It's a private museum that charges you when you walk in the door - plus with a name like Cameron on it, they're certainly not hurting for our money. We also gave away cash to big businesses this year to the tune of around $200,000 - I would save us this money if possible, and instead work for tax incentives that stimulate long-term growth and are also extended to our local small businesses which have been neglected by our local government.
There is plenty of other waste and excess in the budget that we could salvage with a "scalpel" approach, and certainly by enacting a zero-based budget. All of these are ways to free up some money for necessary functions of government - without raising taxes.
Also, city council voted last night to go forward with a plan to install showers for "transient boaters" at the foot of Market Street on the river. We're going to lean on some state money for this, but the city taxpayer's will kick in $50,000 for it. The real gem is that the people that pay for it, Wilmington taxpayers, can't even use the facilities! The doors will be locked 24-7, and boaters will be given keycode access via radio when they dock. Furthermore, the area at the information center with the benches and tables that schoolchildren use when they take field trips downtown will be destroyed as they build this thing. More wasteful, reckless, ridiculous spending that hurts our community.
There was one citizen who went through the onerous task of filling out paperwork two days ahead of time to have the "privilege" of addressing council. When they were talking about this issue with the showers, he stood up to talk, and was told to sit down and wait until the end of the meeting. Understandably dejected, he reluctantly took his seat, and then council cast their vote in favor of the project. After the end of all other business, he was allowed by the Lords of Council to bow and approach the throne. He gave good reasons why this was a waste of taxpayer money, but admitted that it was futile to even address the issue since the vote had already been cast. Quietly, he took his seat, and the meeting was adjourned.
If I'm elected, I can tell you that I will fight to allow any citizen to speak on any issue BEFORE votes are cast. I understand that you can't be there all night, but at least limit the feedback to three people per issue. If there are many more who want to address their council, the issue will have to be postponed until a public hearing can be scheduled. You empower the government as citizens. You have the right to address your elected leaders. How dare they thumb their nose at the public and carry out their own bidding without so much as the smallest concern for public input. To add insult to injury, they have all claimed lately that transparency and open government are alive and well in Wilmington. What a joke.
Another goody from last night is a very quick vote that they forced through which enables some hidden conglomeration of attorneys and financial advisors on the public dole to look for ways to unload the $24 million in debt that the city has accrued due to overreaching and overspending on capital projects the last 2+ years. $24 million! That's a lot of bread. That's what happens when big spending politicians take the reins and have a constant hand in your pocket to fund their own goals. You can rest assured that the only verdict if they have their way is to raise YOUR taxes next year to pay their debt. I hope the voters of Wilmington put a stop to this madness at the ballot box.
Remember, early voting begins October 15th and lasts through the 30th. All you have to do is show up at the County Board of Elections office during normal business hours and vote there. In and out in a snap.
Spetrino 2: The Electric Spendaloo
October 7, 2009, 12:37 pm
And now, for the long-awaited conclusion. My conversation with Mr. Spetrino went for two more rounds before the bell...
David Spetrino - Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 10:12 PM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Ben-
I wanted to know more about the candidates that were running for election. Some of which I know and some of which I don’t. I went to your website to learn more about your issues and was somewhat surprised to see my name. I didn’t email you to provoke an argument – just wanted to give you a viewpoint based on why a City may sometimes find itself required to focus on economic development for the betterment of the community as a whole.
It appears you are convinced that any type of public/ private partnership is automatic collusion and there is no need for me to try and persuade you otherwise. We each have our opinions and I’ll leave it at that.
I am certain we will eventually cross paths and I look forward to meeting you then.
Best-
David Spetrino
Ben McCoy Tue, Aug 25, 2009 at 9:17 AM
To: David Spetrino
Mr. Spetrino -
Why is it that your name appears on my website? Because of one specific issue that has me quite concerned. Curiously, it's the one issue that you have avoided talking about during the course of our dialog here. I am not anti-economic development. I am not anti-developer. I am not anti-parks and green space. I am anti-government waste. You just wanted to give me "a viewpoint based on why a City may sometimes find itself required to focus on economic development for the betterment of the community as a whole"? Let's forget the patronizing tone in that comment momentarily, and focus on the content. A city should ALWAYS be focused on economic development. You and I may have strong differences as to what that goal may entail. I believe that economic development is a selfless endeavor entrusted to government leadership by the taxpayers and voters who empower them. It's not a calculated string-pulling that serves to protect an elected leader's personal best interest, or the best interest of the people behind the curtain that work feverishly to keep the same old system in power!
Your charge of me calling any type of public/private partnership "automatic collusion" is a weak attempt to parry and divert the conversation away from that which you don't want to face. Again, you wrote me, and I have been trying to get a straight answer regarding your tract of land that want to sell to the taxpayers of Wilmington for an unnecessary park. I have asked you point blank, if the land is such a steal at what you are asking, and the location is so prime, why not sell it in the free market? As one of the taxpayers who may be footing the bill for this, I feel that I am entitled to an answer; as if you were trying to sell me car and I asked if it had ever been wrecked.
I don't really care about all of the work you have done. And I don't care how much money you have made doing it. I hope you continue to prosper in the free market and make millions more - remember, I am the free market, supply-side economist - quite contrary to the political faction that you willingly support. I want private enterprise to succeed.
It basically comes down to this: you'll do what you want. Our crooked cronyist elected officials will do what they do, serving their own special interest, and looking down at us common folk funding their schemes with contempt and disdain. But when you're counting out your millions that you've secured from of the taxpayers of Wilmington, think about the bigger cost that it incurred. Think about your public money when you see a fireman forced into early retirement, or a cop asked by the city to take an extended leave, or a sick and elderly woman who cannot afford her water rate increases because the city left her high and dry to make up for a so-called "budget short-fall" yet they hidden away enough gold to pay you off. You don't want me to call it collusion? Then quit demonstrating collusion to me! You've paid Saffo, and God knows who else; they make severe budget cuts to necessary functions of government; and they are on the threshold of paying you millions. What would call it if you were a totally objective party looking at this from the outside?
You want economic development? Support initiatives that allow taxpayers to keep more of THEIR money in THEIR pockets. Guess what? That's more to spend - and they will spend. More spending means more cash flow in the economy. More cash flow in the economy creates more opportunity. More opportunity creates jobs. Cash flow, opportunity, and jobs = economic development!
Think about it.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
That's it. I did get the chance to meet Mr. Spetrino in person. I got on an elevator, heard him introduce himself to someone else, and introduced myself to him. This was at the Residents of Old Wilmington forum a couple of weeks ago, in which I mistakenly never got an invitation to - I found out at the last minute about it, contacted ROW, and they were more than helpful in getting me on the list at the last minute.
I was telling this to someone on the elevator, making small talk, when Spetrino piped up, "Maybe it's a conspiracy!" To which I replied, "No - that would make me more important than I really am." And that was the end of it.
There was another candidate forum about a week ago put on by a group in which Spetrino is affiliated. This time I intentionally did not get an invitation. Somebody I know asked about why I wasn't there, and they were basically told, "We decided not to invite him". Nice group of people. I'm glad I threaten their publicly-funded padded pockets so much.
David Spetrino - Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 10:12 PM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Ben-
I wanted to know more about the candidates that were running for election. Some of which I know and some of which I don’t. I went to your website to learn more about your issues and was somewhat surprised to see my name. I didn’t email you to provoke an argument – just wanted to give you a viewpoint based on why a City may sometimes find itself required to focus on economic development for the betterment of the community as a whole.
It appears you are convinced that any type of public/ private partnership is automatic collusion and there is no need for me to try and persuade you otherwise. We each have our opinions and I’ll leave it at that.
I am certain we will eventually cross paths and I look forward to meeting you then.
Best-
David Spetrino
Ben McCoy
Mr. Spetrino -
Why is it that your name appears on my website? Because of one specific issue that has me quite concerned. Curiously, it's the one issue that you have avoided talking about during the course of our dialog here. I am not anti-economic development. I am not anti-developer. I am not anti-parks and green space. I am anti-government waste. You just wanted to give me "a viewpoint based on why a City may sometimes find itself required to focus on economic development for the betterment of the community as a whole"? Let's forget the patronizing tone in that comment momentarily, and focus on the content. A city should ALWAYS be focused on economic development. You and I may have strong differences as to what that goal may entail. I believe that economic development is a selfless endeavor entrusted to government leadership by the taxpayers and voters who empower them. It's not a calculated string-pulling that serves to protect an elected leader's personal best interest, or the best interest of the people behind the curtain that work feverishly to keep the same old system in power!
Your charge of me calling any type of public/private partnership "automatic collusion" is a weak attempt to parry and divert the conversation away from that which you don't want to face. Again, you wrote me, and I have been trying to get a straight answer regarding your tract of land that want to sell to the taxpayers of Wilmington for an unnecessary park. I have asked you point blank, if the land is such a steal at what you are asking, and the location is so prime, why not sell it in the free market? As one of the taxpayers who may be footing the bill for this, I feel that I am entitled to an answer; as if you were trying to sell me car and I asked if it had ever been wrecked.
I don't really care about all of the work you have done. And I don't care how much money you have made doing it. I hope you continue to prosper in the free market and make millions more - remember, I am the free market, supply-side economist - quite contrary to the political faction that you willingly support. I want private enterprise to succeed.
It basically comes down to this: you'll do what you want. Our crooked cronyist elected officials will do what they do, serving their own special interest, and looking down at us common folk funding their schemes with contempt and disdain. But when you're counting out your millions that you've secured from of the taxpayers of Wilmington, think about the bigger cost that it incurred. Think about your public money when you see a fireman forced into early retirement, or a cop asked by the city to take an extended leave, or a sick and elderly woman who cannot afford her water rate increases because the city left her high and dry to make up for a so-called "budget short-fall" yet they hidden away enough gold to pay you off. You don't want me to call it collusion? Then quit demonstrating collusion to me! You've paid Saffo, and God knows who else; they make severe budget cuts to necessary functions of government; and they are on the threshold of paying you millions. What would call it if you were a totally objective party looking at this from the outside?
You want economic development? Support initiatives that allow taxpayers to keep more of THEIR money in THEIR pockets. Guess what? That's more to spend - and they will spend. More spending means more cash flow in the economy. More cash flow in the economy creates more opportunity. More opportunity creates jobs. Cash flow, opportunity, and jobs = economic development!
Think about it.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
That's it. I did get the chance to meet Mr. Spetrino in person. I got on an elevator, heard him introduce himself to someone else, and introduced myself to him. This was at the Residents of Old Wilmington forum a couple of weeks ago, in which I mistakenly never got an invitation to - I found out at the last minute about it, contacted ROW, and they were more than helpful in getting me on the list at the last minute.
I was telling this to someone on the elevator, making small talk, when Spetrino piped up, "Maybe it's a conspiracy!" To which I replied, "No - that would make me more important than I really am." And that was the end of it.
There was another candidate forum about a week ago put on by a group in which Spetrino is affiliated. This time I intentionally did not get an invitation. Somebody I know asked about why I wasn't there, and they were basically told, "We decided not to invite him". Nice group of people. I'm glad I threaten their publicly-funded padded pockets so much.
The Spetrino Dialogue
August 24, 2009, 2:22 pm
You'll remember Developer David Spetrino of Plantation Building Corporation as the man who is offering the taxpayers of Wilmington an incredible deal: A piece of land for another park, next to our new convention center downtown, that the free market doesn't want, for only about $5 million. Being that our 2006 Parks Bond downtown allocation is at a zero balance, I've been a loud critic of this consideration by City Council to make the purchase - especially in a self-proclaimed budget crunch, where they have had to make deep cuts to necessary functions of government like public safety.
Apparently, my voice carries better than I thought, because Mr. Spetrino himself has contacted me via email, and we have been conducting oddly respectful exchanges for the last couple of days. He seems the nice enough sort; and my real problem exists with City Council on this issue - but that hasn't prevented me from debating it with him. Here are the transcripts of our conversations to date:
David Spetrino - Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 9:56 PM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Mr. McCoy-
We don’t know each other but you seem to have a somewhat maligned idea as to who I am and what is important to me.
I am fascinated that you find me and the work I have been doing Downtown so compelling that you have included in your website without learning more about me personally. After reading your comments, you seem to view me in a potentially negative light and I would very much like to make sure you have all the necessary facts prior to forming an opinion.
I respectfully request that we have a brief phone conversation or meeting so that you can understand the work we are doing Downtown through redevelopment and revitalization.
Feel free to email or call my cell phone at your convenience.
Kind regards,
David A Spetrino Jr
Ben McCoy Sat, Aug 22, 2009 at 2:58 PM
To: David Spetrino
Mr. Spetrino -
I sincerely thank you for contacting me. You're right - I have been a loud voice of criticism regarding the land that you own and City Council's interest in purchasing it for another park. The whole reason I am running for City Council is because I am sick and tired of fiscal irresponsibility, lies, and mismanagement coming from our local government.
We passed a Parks Bond in 2006 for exactly the type of transaction that you propose to the city. The only problem is, and the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about, is that the downtown bond allocation is at a $0 balance. The allocation for park land purchases is only at $1.4M. The price that you are asking, and I'm not even questioning the value or lack thereof, is above and beyond what we have left to spend. Our officials won't acknowledge that fact, and are lying to the people when they quote the bond to pay for it. Especially in a year that we have had to cut public safety funding and personnel, and other necessary functions of government that we as taxpayers are entitled to, to make up for the budget crunch, I find it obscene to lobby for raising taxes to buy a new park. And yes, Sterling Cheatham has already promised tax increases next year - certainly they wouldn't do it in an election year! I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Cheatham a couple of weeks ago, point blank, where is the money going to come from to purchase Mr. Spetrino's land. He knew that I knew the FACTS on the Parks Bond, and was quick to say something to the effect that he is only a handmaiden to the will of Council, and that they would determine such.
Honestly, my problem isn't with you Mr. Spetrino. You are a businessman, and you are a capitalist - I certainly am as well. My problem is with the disease that we have in our local government. We are completely represented by one faction of the business community, a faction that looks out for their own best interest and the best interest of people in their inner sanctum like yourself. Developers, builders, real estate people - especially any who contribute to their re-election campaigns. All in the name of "economic development" and "revitalization" and other feel-good catch phrases. I call it legal collusion. It's not developing the economy or revitalizing anything to crush people with higher taxes and debt! The taxpayers, the citizens, the regular people that fund their misplaced agendas are left holding the bag. It's time for people that could use the strings of government for their own purposes, to stand on principle and choose NOT to.
For the record, I have not initiated any character assassination of you or condoned any malicious intent. I have stuck to the facts, and I will continue to. I have stated the details reported in the media of the transaction that you propose, and I have mentioned you as a financial supporter of Bill Saffo's campaign. I am interested to see exactly where I am mislead, or maligned as you say. I cannot be swayed to support a transaction that dumps another almost $5M unnecessary burden on our suffering taxpayers. If the land is as valuable as it has been proclaimed, why not sell it in the free market?
If you would like to discuss this in person, I would be glad to - on the air. I feel that you would be better served in defending and clarifying your position to a skeptical public, and therefore I would be interested in appearing on local talk radio with you. I would like to have the opportunity as well to confront this issue head on. Thank you again for contacting me.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
David Spetrino - Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 11:34 AM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Ben-
Thanks for taking the time to reply. You spent a lot of time on your response and I appreciate that.
As you work toward implementing your goals and ideals for our community I would like to offer a perspective that may give you some leverage when speaking of better fiscal management with regard to our local government:
Government (like business) can do one of three things to reach profitability. It can cut costs to lower expenses, it can grow by increasing its tax base, or it can raise taxes (never popular)
Ideally, one of the favored ways to reach profitability is to grow the tax base at a greater rate than the costs associated with managing the new growth. Annexation is one way to do this, another is adding value through new real estate development (typically in Wilmington through retirees and job growth). Prudent leadership seeks growth and finds a balance between managing costs effectively while looking for ways to grow economically without an added burden (more taxes or less services) to its citizens.
Since moving to Wilmington I have been fascinated with Downtown. It has allowed to me to do what I enjoy doing without adding an economic (or environmental) strain on our City and the surrounding communities. One of the benefits to the City that I did not realize until several years after being involved in our re-development projects were the substantial benefit to the city through the increases in taxable value.
A simple but compelling example; in May 2001, we purchased a City Block (formerly a junk yard) in the CBD. It is bordered by N 3rd, N 4th, Brunswick and Hanover Streets. The property value at that time was $16,104 – we were paying about $185 dollars to the City and County in property taxes. Fast forward to 2008, a mere 7 years later, where we have developed approximately 60% of the site, added about 100 new residents and several thousand square feet of office space and has a property value of over $32 Million. Based on the current tax rates of .785/ $100. That provides an income stream of over $250,000 to the tax coffers. Nowhere else in the City – not even ocean front property – provides the City with that kind of return on an investment through the re-development of land.
I am certain that the new residents and associated development on this block added some additional burden to the City – but not much. No schools had to be built, no roads were created, public transit is already in place, no utility lines had to be installed, no trees were cut down…. As the Developer we paid for the stormwater management system and the fire hydrants along with the impact fees for tapping into the existing water and sewer systems.
You must agree that the work we are doing Downtown is a favorable, relatively inexpensive way to increasing tax revenues without requiring annexation or raising taxes. I am certain would not want to stereotype my personal, professional objectives in the same light that you may view other individuals who may be in a similar industry within the Wilmington Area.
I’m not interested in getting into a political debate. I will leave that for you and the other candidates to focus on. I would still like to meet with you though – if you are uncomfortable going out to lunch, stop by my office or let me show you some of our work Downtown so you can get a broader view as to who I am and what is important to me.
If you would like to talk openly about the merits and far reaching benefits from urban re-development then I am more than willing to offer my insight and experiences to you or your supporters – actually, it is what I am most passionate about and, like you, have very strong opinions as to why it is important (especially for a growing community like Wilmington)
And one last request, if you are going to use my name in your political ads against Saffo, please include the actual amount I gave his campaign. If your goal is transparency, including all relevant information will be helpful to your intended audience. Let me know if you would like a photocopy of the check I wrote last March.
This year’s election will be challenging for all of the candidates. If your hard work doesn’t pay off this year, hopefully it will have been a valuable experience for future endeavors.
Sincerely,
David Spetrino
Ben McCoy Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 2:03 PM
To: David Spetrino
Mr. Spetrino -
Thank you for the civil discourse - being able to have a rational conversation even when bitter differences may be a factor goes a long way with me.
Now - to the meat of your response... I don't contest anything you have said here concerning your efforts. I have made no hay regarding your personal commitment to downtown economic development, nor have I challenged the successes you have had in your endeavors. You are obviously a savvy businessman, and as a die-hard capitalist myself, I like that. Why you financially support the campaign of a man whose politics are in stark contrast of free market enterprise and personal success is beyond me - but it is your cross to bear.
I'm quite aware of the methods of driving economic development through government intervention. I call it intervention because I believe that less is more when it comes to government. If there is profit to be made and financial viability to be gained, the free market has a way of capitalizing on that without the interference of the government. Let's not insult each other's intelligence - your motive for your investment in the development that you referenced was a calculated effort to drive profit to you and your business, a worthy motive I might add, and a great example of what I am talking about. But spare me the devotion to downtown development, kindness of heart rhetoric. You did it for the money - and a liberal like Bill Saffo may have a fundamental problem with that, since "feel-good" politics are the engine that apparently drives their actions in recent times. Me, I call it business, and the heartbeat of our economic prosperity.
All of that said, your response was curiously absent of the real issue that I as a taxpayer, first and foremost, am concerned about: The tract of land you are offering for sale to the city for a park. I'll ask you point blank: If it is such a valuable piece of property at such an incredible price, why not sell it to private enterprise? Why are you asking the taxpayers of Wilmington to assume more unnecessary burden for your personal gain? Are you aware that the 2006 Parks Bond has a zero balance for downtown parks, and are you aware that the sale of your land to the city will in fact result in a tax increase for us as taxpayers; when you yourself admitted that tax increases are a negative, and you are committed to positive downtown economic development?
At the end of the day, if the city purchases your land, it will be to their downfall, and you were just doing "business".
Here's one more question point blank, and I challenge you to give me an honest answer: Why did you make a contribution to Saffo's campaign? He's filthy rich, and would fare just fine without your money. What's in it for you? What were the terms of your contribution? To be dealt with favorably as the Council uses its power to dole out the public treasury to developers? That's the consensus. That's the word on the street. You and your colleagues are getting a bad wrap right now. People are talking in terms of "buying politicians", and I agree with them. It's glaringly obvious. You make a contribution, next thing you know, the city is bending over backwards to use MY money to line your pockets with an unnecessary park land purchase.
Do what you have to do. Take their dirty money. But when you read in the paper about New Hanover County's unemployment rate hovering around 11%, and you see your neighbors and fellow Wilmingtonians struggling to make ends meet, think real hard about how you willingly became a part of the problem, and NOT the solution, by taking a stand with big government, oppressive taxation, and fiscal irresponsibility.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
An interesting exchange - stay tuned...
Apparently, my voice carries better than I thought, because Mr. Spetrino himself has contacted me via email, and we have been conducting oddly respectful exchanges for the last couple of days. He seems the nice enough sort; and my real problem exists with City Council on this issue - but that hasn't prevented me from debating it with him. Here are the transcripts of our conversations to date:
David Spetrino - Fri, Aug 21, 2009 at 9:56 PM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Mr. McCoy-
We don’t know each other but you seem to have a somewhat maligned idea as to who I am and what is important to me.
I am fascinated that you find me and the work I have been doing Downtown so compelling that you have included in your website without learning more about me personally. After reading your comments, you seem to view me in a potentially negative light and I would very much like to make sure you have all the necessary facts prior to forming an opinion.
I respectfully request that we have a brief phone conversation or meeting so that you can understand the work we are doing Downtown through redevelopment and revitalization.
Feel free to email or call my cell phone at your convenience.
Kind regards,
David A Spetrino Jr
Ben McCoy
Mr. Spetrino -
I sincerely thank you for contacting me. You're right - I have been a loud voice of criticism regarding the land that you own and City Council's interest in purchasing it for another park. The whole reason I am running for City Council is because I am sick and tired of fiscal irresponsibility, lies, and mismanagement coming from our local government.
We passed a Parks Bond in 2006 for exactly the type of transaction that you propose to the city. The only problem is, and the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about, is that the downtown bond allocation is at a $0 balance. The allocation for park land purchases is only at $1.4M. The price that you are asking, and I'm not even questioning the value or lack thereof, is above and beyond what we have left to spend. Our officials won't acknowledge that fact, and are lying to the people when they quote the bond to pay for it. Especially in a year that we have had to cut public safety funding and personnel, and other necessary functions of government that we as taxpayers are entitled to, to make up for the budget crunch, I find it obscene to lobby for raising taxes to buy a new park. And yes, Sterling Cheatham has already promised tax increases next year - certainly they wouldn't do it in an election year! I had the opportunity to ask Mr. Cheatham a couple of weeks ago, point blank, where is the money going to come from to purchase Mr. Spetrino's land. He knew that I knew the FACTS on the Parks Bond, and was quick to say something to the effect that he is only a handmaiden to the will of Council, and that they would determine such.
Honestly, my problem isn't with you Mr. Spetrino. You are a businessman, and you are a capitalist - I certainly am as well. My problem is with the disease that we have in our local government. We are completely represented by one faction of the business community, a faction that looks out for their own best interest and the best interest of people in their inner sanctum like yourself. Developers, builders, real estate people - especially any who contribute to their re-election campaigns. All in the name of "economic development" and "revitalization" and other feel-good catch phrases. I call it legal collusion. It's not developing the economy or revitalizing anything to crush people with higher taxes and debt! The taxpayers, the citizens, the regular people that fund their misplaced agendas are left holding the bag. It's time for people that could use the strings of government for their own purposes, to stand on principle and choose NOT to.
For the record, I have not initiated any character assassination of you or condoned any malicious intent. I have stuck to the facts, and I will continue to. I have stated the details reported in the media of the transaction that you propose, and I have mentioned you as a financial supporter of Bill Saffo's campaign. I am interested to see exactly where I am mislead, or maligned as you say. I cannot be swayed to support a transaction that dumps another almost $5M unnecessary burden on our suffering taxpayers. If the land is as valuable as it has been proclaimed, why not sell it in the free market?
If you would like to discuss this in person, I would be glad to - on the air. I feel that you would be better served in defending and clarifying your position to a skeptical public, and therefore I would be interested in appearing on local talk radio with you. I would like to have the opportunity as well to confront this issue head on. Thank you again for contacting me.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
David Spetrino - Mon, Aug 24, 2009 at 11:34 AM To: ben@mccoyforcouncil.com
Ben-
Thanks for taking the time to reply. You spent a lot of time on your response and I appreciate that.
As you work toward implementing your goals and ideals for our community I would like to offer a perspective that may give you some leverage when speaking of better fiscal management with regard to our local government:
Government (like business) can do one of three things to reach profitability. It can cut costs to lower expenses, it can grow by increasing its tax base, or it can raise taxes (never popular)
Ideally, one of the favored ways to reach profitability is to grow the tax base at a greater rate than the costs associated with managing the new growth. Annexation is one way to do this, another is adding value through new real estate development (typically in Wilmington through retirees and job growth). Prudent leadership seeks growth and finds a balance between managing costs effectively while looking for ways to grow economically without an added burden (more taxes or less services) to its citizens.
Since moving to Wilmington I have been fascinated with Downtown. It has allowed to me to do what I enjoy doing without adding an economic (or environmental) strain on our City and the surrounding communities. One of the benefits to the City that I did not realize until several years after being involved in our re-development projects were the substantial benefit to the city through the increases in taxable value.
A simple but compelling example; in May 2001, we purchased a City Block (formerly a junk yard) in the CBD. It is bordered by N 3rd, N 4th, Brunswick and Hanover Streets. The property value at that time was $16,104 – we were paying about $185 dollars to the City and County in property taxes. Fast forward to 2008, a mere 7 years later, where we have developed approximately 60% of the site, added about 100 new residents and several thousand square feet of office space and has a property value of over $32 Million. Based on the current tax rates of .785/ $100. That provides an income stream of over $250,000 to the tax coffers. Nowhere else in the City – not even ocean front property – provides the City with that kind of return on an investment through the re-development of land.
I am certain that the new residents and associated development on this block added some additional burden to the City – but not much. No schools had to be built, no roads were created, public transit is already in place, no utility lines had to be installed, no trees were cut down…. As the Developer we paid for the stormwater management system and the fire hydrants along with the impact fees for tapping into the existing water and sewer systems.
You must agree that the work we are doing Downtown is a favorable, relatively inexpensive way to increasing tax revenues without requiring annexation or raising taxes. I am certain would not want to stereotype my personal, professional objectives in the same light that you may view other individuals who may be in a similar industry within the Wilmington Area.
I’m not interested in getting into a political debate. I will leave that for you and the other candidates to focus on. I would still like to meet with you though – if you are uncomfortable going out to lunch, stop by my office or let me show you some of our work Downtown so you can get a broader view as to who I am and what is important to me.
If you would like to talk openly about the merits and far reaching benefits from urban re-development then I am more than willing to offer my insight and experiences to you or your supporters – actually, it is what I am most passionate about and, like you, have very strong opinions as to why it is important (especially for a growing community like Wilmington)
And one last request, if you are going to use my name in your political ads against Saffo, please include the actual amount I gave his campaign. If your goal is transparency, including all relevant information will be helpful to your intended audience. Let me know if you would like a photocopy of the check I wrote last March.
This year’s election will be challenging for all of the candidates. If your hard work doesn’t pay off this year, hopefully it will have been a valuable experience for future endeavors.
Sincerely,
David Spetrino
Ben McCoy
Mr. Spetrino -
Thank you for the civil discourse - being able to have a rational conversation even when bitter differences may be a factor goes a long way with me.
Now - to the meat of your response... I don't contest anything you have said here concerning your efforts. I have made no hay regarding your personal commitment to downtown economic development, nor have I challenged the successes you have had in your endeavors. You are obviously a savvy businessman, and as a die-hard capitalist myself, I like that. Why you financially support the campaign of a man whose politics are in stark contrast of free market enterprise and personal success is beyond me - but it is your cross to bear.
I'm quite aware of the methods of driving economic development through government intervention. I call it intervention because I believe that less is more when it comes to government. If there is profit to be made and financial viability to be gained, the free market has a way of capitalizing on that without the interference of the government. Let's not insult each other's intelligence - your motive for your investment in the development that you referenced was a calculated effort to drive profit to you and your business, a worthy motive I might add, and a great example of what I am talking about. But spare me the devotion to downtown development, kindness of heart rhetoric. You did it for the money - and a liberal like Bill Saffo may have a fundamental problem with that, since "feel-good" politics are the engine that apparently drives their actions in recent times. Me, I call it business, and the heartbeat of our economic prosperity.
All of that said, your response was curiously absent of the real issue that I as a taxpayer, first and foremost, am concerned about: The tract of land you are offering for sale to the city for a park. I'll ask you point blank: If it is such a valuable piece of property at such an incredible price, why not sell it to private enterprise? Why are you asking the taxpayers of Wilmington to assume more unnecessary burden for your personal gain? Are you aware that the 2006 Parks Bond has a zero balance for downtown parks, and are you aware that the sale of your land to the city will in fact result in a tax increase for us as taxpayers; when you yourself admitted that tax increases are a negative, and you are committed to positive downtown economic development?
At the end of the day, if the city purchases your land, it will be to their downfall, and you were just doing "business".
Here's one more question point blank, and I challenge you to give me an honest answer: Why did you make a contribution to Saffo's campaign? He's filthy rich, and would fare just fine without your money. What's in it for you? What were the terms of your contribution? To be dealt with favorably as the Council uses its power to dole out the public treasury to developers? That's the consensus. That's the word on the street. You and your colleagues are getting a bad wrap right now. People are talking in terms of "buying politicians", and I agree with them. It's glaringly obvious. You make a contribution, next thing you know, the city is bending over backwards to use MY money to line your pockets with an unnecessary park land purchase.
Do what you have to do. Take their dirty money. But when you read in the paper about New Hanover County's unemployment rate hovering around 11%, and you see your neighbors and fellow Wilmingtonians struggling to make ends meet, think real hard about how you willingly became a part of the problem, and NOT the solution, by taking a stand with big government, oppressive taxation, and fiscal irresponsibility.
Respectfully,
Ben McCoy
An interesting exchange - stay tuned...
Parks Bond Obfuscation
August 13, 2009, 2:42 pm
In May 2006, voters in both the city of Wilmington and New Hanover County approved through referendum a Parks Bond in the amount of $35.5M. The structure of the money allocation was very specific, and laid out an itemized plan for the dispersion of funds to different area parks.
In May of this year, the city published a report on the status of the bond, which showed some interesting figures.
Let's switch gears for a moment. If you recall, the city is currently aggressively pursuing a "once-in-a-lifetime" deal on a piece of land, owned by Bill Saffo campaign contributor Dave Spetrino, in which he's really cutting the taxpayers an incredible deal at a 'modest' $4.6M. The city's plans are to put in a park on this piece of property, and they are citing the 2006 Parks Bond as the way to pay for it.
What they are failing to tell you, is that the portion allocated for downtown area parks has a balance of $0. The portion set aside for purchasing new park land is at around $1.4M at last glance. That leaves a hefty sum of around $3.2M that has to come from somewhere.
We are repeatedly told by incumbent Jim Quinn that you simply don't quit spending money when you have a budget crunch. Too bad that philosophy didn't pan out for my wife and I at home this year - or we would have taken that vacation to Maui. Perhaps he means "other people's money". And he certainly isn't talking about spending it on public safety, roads, or sewers - he's talking about subsidizing his constituency with your money.
I had the opportunity to ask City Manager Sterling Cheatham where the extra money would come from if we buy this land. He was very quick to say that he had nothing to do with it, and that it would have to be a decision by city council to decide where to take it. So Mr. Cheatham, let me answer that for you. General tax fund; which essentially translates into property tax increases. That's right - even though we passed a bond referendum three years ago to the tune of over $35 million, it is essential to raise your taxes to pay off a developer for his land for another park. After all, responsible spending in a budget crunch is just silly, right Mr. Quinn?
I believe that we have to get back to priority-based stewardship with YOUR money. I believe that government should be operated much like a business or even a household. When there's a crunch, you have to figure out what you can live without. I have constantly said on the campaign trail that I support green space, parks, and civic improvement - but I don't support putting a priority focus on the projects in a year in which we have to drastically cut public safety funding, and delay necessary repairs on roads and sewers because the money is not there. This principle is completely counterintuitive to me - if my house catches on fire, I'd rather know that I have a properly funded and equipped fire department to save my house, rather than knowing I'm going to lose my home - but at least we have adequate park space for my family and I to go live in when we are homeless!
With your vote and support, I will do everything within my power to keep your taxes from being raised to subsidize the special interest that has run this city for far too long. I will fight for keeping funding where it belongs - the services that you as a taxpayer are entitled to.
Please view the Parks Bond status report by clicking here
And click here for a detailed break down of the bond projects status.
In May of this year, the city published a report on the status of the bond, which showed some interesting figures.
Let's switch gears for a moment. If you recall, the city is currently aggressively pursuing a "once-in-a-lifetime" deal on a piece of land, owned by Bill Saffo campaign contributor Dave Spetrino, in which he's really cutting the taxpayers an incredible deal at a 'modest' $4.6M. The city's plans are to put in a park on this piece of property, and they are citing the 2006 Parks Bond as the way to pay for it.
What they are failing to tell you, is that the portion allocated for downtown area parks has a balance of $0. The portion set aside for purchasing new park land is at around $1.4M at last glance. That leaves a hefty sum of around $3.2M that has to come from somewhere.
We are repeatedly told by incumbent Jim Quinn that you simply don't quit spending money when you have a budget crunch. Too bad that philosophy didn't pan out for my wife and I at home this year - or we would have taken that vacation to Maui. Perhaps he means "other people's money". And he certainly isn't talking about spending it on public safety, roads, or sewers - he's talking about subsidizing his constituency with your money.
I had the opportunity to ask City Manager Sterling Cheatham where the extra money would come from if we buy this land. He was very quick to say that he had nothing to do with it, and that it would have to be a decision by city council to decide where to take it. So Mr. Cheatham, let me answer that for you. General tax fund; which essentially translates into property tax increases. That's right - even though we passed a bond referendum three years ago to the tune of over $35 million, it is essential to raise your taxes to pay off a developer for his land for another park. After all, responsible spending in a budget crunch is just silly, right Mr. Quinn?
I believe that we have to get back to priority-based stewardship with YOUR money. I believe that government should be operated much like a business or even a household. When there's a crunch, you have to figure out what you can live without. I have constantly said on the campaign trail that I support green space, parks, and civic improvement - but I don't support putting a priority focus on the projects in a year in which we have to drastically cut public safety funding, and delay necessary repairs on roads and sewers because the money is not there. This principle is completely counterintuitive to me - if my house catches on fire, I'd rather know that I have a properly funded and equipped fire department to save my house, rather than knowing I'm going to lose my home - but at least we have adequate park space for my family and I to go live in when we are homeless!
With your vote and support, I will do everything within my power to keep your taxes from being raised to subsidize the special interest that has run this city for far too long. I will fight for keeping funding where it belongs - the services that you as a taxpayer are entitled to.
Please view the Parks Bond status report by clicking here
And click here for a detailed break down of the bond projects status.
City Officials Violate Public Records Laws
August 2, 2009, 10:48 am
Well, they're at it again. Our illustrious leaders on City Council just can't help but to view themselves as some sort of elitist oligarchy, beyond the reproach of the common citizen. The latest example is the blatant and illegal cover-up of email transactions between public officials, which includes all of our elected officials, and all of our city department heads. I link to the original article on my website here: http://www.mccoyforcouncil.com/representing.html
As many as 36,000 emails were identified as 'private', but should have been open to public view under Public Information laws. The real catch is, an official can write an email, and by simply typing the word "private" in the subject heading, the email is routed away from the public information server, lost forever from the public view. Sort of like the fox watching the hen house. It was only by a stroke of luck that this practice was identified and discovered by the Wilmington Star News. A very few actual examples:
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_132.html
This latest example of corruption only serves to illustrate the business-as-usual policies that have been employed by our City Council for far too long. Remember, this is the Council that took their families to Washington, DC on the taxpayer dime, stayed at the finest hotels, ate at the finest restaurants, and had a wonderful time spending almost $20K of our money in the midst of a self-proclaimed "budget crisis".
This is the same City Council who is seriously considering spending $4.6M on a new park downtown, citing the 2006 Parks Bond as a way to pay for it - but somehow failing to recognize that the money allocated in the bond for downtown parks has a budget of $0; and the amount allocated for the purchase of new land is about $1.4M. The bond was passed through referendum with a promise to the taxpayer that general taxpayer funds would not be leveraged for new development - if that's not the case, how in the world are they going to make up the difference?
It seems as if our city is being run with the same playbook that our entire country is right now.
These are among the reasons I am trying to make a difference in our local leadership. Career politicians at all levels of government have made themselves too comfortable, and dedicate their time in public service to secure their power and agenda, without regard to the taxpayers that fund them. As a young conservative, I am starting locally to try and influence public policy from the ground up. This is why I support initiatives such as term limits, an open government devoid of private emails and secretive exchanges; and the adding of our city's check register to the city's website where citizens can actively see how their money is being spent.
To all of you who have contributed to my campaign, I sincerely thank you. To others, I ask that you consider contributing what you can to help me in my pursuit. The incumbents that we are battling here have sizable war chests and well-entrenched propaganda mills that are richly funded for their purposes. Information on how to donate can be found here: http://mccoyforcouncil.com/support.html
Please take a moment and send this to those you know with a sincere concern for the direction our country is headed in, and who may be interested in supporting a young candidate with a heart to try and make a real difference; today at the local level; tomorrow, who knows!
Thank you, and God bless you all.
As many as 36,000 emails were identified as 'private', but should have been open to public view under Public Information laws. The real catch is, an official can write an email, and by simply typing the word "private" in the subject heading, the email is routed away from the public information server, lost forever from the public view. Sort of like the fox watching the hen house. It was only by a stroke of luck that this practice was identified and discovered by the Wilmington Star News. A very few actual examples:
- from the mailbox of Mayor Bill Saffo - "Fw: Mayor Pro-Tem's Request - When Last Time we increased our tax rate - private"
- from the mailbox of Mayor Bill Saffo - "Re: NCLM Annexation proposal and 12.17 meeting-private"
- from the mailbox of Councilman Jim Quinn - "FW: Property Acquisition-private"
- from the mailbox of Councilman Earl Sheridan - "Fw: Annexation Master Plan timeline -private"
http://www.ncleg.net/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_132.html
This latest example of corruption only serves to illustrate the business-as-usual policies that have been employed by our City Council for far too long. Remember, this is the Council that took their families to Washington, DC on the taxpayer dime, stayed at the finest hotels, ate at the finest restaurants, and had a wonderful time spending almost $20K of our money in the midst of a self-proclaimed "budget crisis".
This is the same City Council who is seriously considering spending $4.6M on a new park downtown, citing the 2006 Parks Bond as a way to pay for it - but somehow failing to recognize that the money allocated in the bond for downtown parks has a budget of $0; and the amount allocated for the purchase of new land is about $1.4M. The bond was passed through referendum with a promise to the taxpayer that general taxpayer funds would not be leveraged for new development - if that's not the case, how in the world are they going to make up the difference?
It seems as if our city is being run with the same playbook that our entire country is right now.
These are among the reasons I am trying to make a difference in our local leadership. Career politicians at all levels of government have made themselves too comfortable, and dedicate their time in public service to secure their power and agenda, without regard to the taxpayers that fund them. As a young conservative, I am starting locally to try and influence public policy from the ground up. This is why I support initiatives such as term limits, an open government devoid of private emails and secretive exchanges; and the adding of our city's check register to the city's website where citizens can actively see how their money is being spent.
To all of you who have contributed to my campaign, I sincerely thank you. To others, I ask that you consider contributing what you can to help me in my pursuit. The incumbents that we are battling here have sizable war chests and well-entrenched propaganda mills that are richly funded for their purposes. Information on how to donate can be found here: http://mccoyforcouncil.com/support.html
Please take a moment and send this to those you know with a sincere concern for the direction our country is headed in, and who may be interested in supporting a young candidate with a heart to try and make a real difference; today at the local level; tomorrow, who knows!
Thank you, and God bless you all.
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