Odds & Ends (8-30-08)

Happy Labor Day Weekend! I sure hope you have a fun and safe time. Hopefully it won’t rain all weekend, though it is quite overcast outside my window.

The Colonial Center

It is changing its name to the Colonial Life Arena. The Colonial Center people say it better represents the sponsor, and Colonial Life feels the same. Which I find amusing as I had this conversation with some of the grand pooh bahs of Colonial when it was first named the Colonial Center. In the south, anything and everything gets colonial on it, so Colonial Center just means deep south to most. Unless you add Life, people will not identify your company with the building. But I was told no, you are wrong, marketing and advertising people of great brilliance and experience have determined that it identifies our company, and it is clean and straightforward, representing our company well. Now they are spending $200,000 on the signage change to make it Colonial Life Arena. To think they could have paid me $1000 in the beginning for advice, both of us coming out ahead. I do believe Colonial Life Center would roll of the tongue easier than Colonial Life Arena, meaning most people will just say arena, or Carolina arena. But, imagining what went on in smoky, clandestine advertising backrooms, I would guess that it someone said if we call it Colonial Life center, people would barely notice a change, so let’s make them say a completely new name, Colonial Life Arena. Maybe people will, but knowing the propensity of us southerners to have a lazy speak, I kinda doubt it.

I bring this up to point out that sometimes (and most times) common sense and gut feelings (intuition) take precedence over high powered, high priced consultants and those with years of experience and academic credentials. Far too often, many decisions are based on seminars, articles, trends, rather than a good understanding of people and behavior. The real estate boom market was one of those mistakes. Just barely over a year ago, people were still buying real estate at a crazed frenzy based on trends, articles, seminars that said real estate was secure and the best and safest investment you could make. Unlike other commodities, more land cannot be made, so real estate was safe. Yet, as I looked around our city and others across the nation, I wondered where all the people were coming from to fill all these new units being built. And if they were coming to fill these, what were they leaving, and what would happen to what they left? I got no answers other than you should invest and flip it at a profit because it is a hot market. I was starting to feel left out, and then, BOOM, the hammer fell, and now look at the market and state of the economy. It really mirrors the dotcom bust of 8 years ago. If you put the two side by side, you will notice so much of the same. The only difference is the real estate is still there, though owned by someone else, or is a house unfinished, or finished and unoccupied except by the occasional vagrant.

The same thing applies to politics. Much spin and smoke is created to lead you to where they want your attention, and away from what should be noticed. It is truly a sleight of hand trick using mouth instead of hand (but there is no sleight of mouth on these spin masters). You hear it on our mayors part, always smoke screening the problems in our city by saying we are in the greatest renaissance the city has ever seen, yet we are losing SCANA, the VA, Lourie’s, Capital Newstand, and a host of other businesses. We are in the greatest financial crisis this city has seen since Sherman. We have destroyed more of our retail, historic structures, and glorious downtown residences in the past 20 years than at any other time since Sherman. Many businesses have suffered and died due to the 5 Points, downtown, and other revitalization projects, and no real help has been offered. The greatest financial blunder in the history of transportation was made when our mayor and council decided to let SGE&G off their responsibility to fund the bus system forever. (I have heard that this decision was made in part by some council members who were challenged that they would have a well funded candidate against them if they did not support releasing SCE&G from its duty. This is inline with what I have said is my intuition about someone/s making money off the deal behind the scenes.)

The moral of this story is summed up in one of my old sayings ( I just loooove making up old sayings): If it smells funny…and sticks to your shoes, it probably is.

It is election season, voter beware.

OK, OK

You send me so much, and I have so little time anymore to respond, that you think I am ignoring you. At least that is the crux of a few letters I have received recently. No, I am just over my head in things to do. I only have 1513 messages in the newsletter box, forget the 5000+ in the others. So please do not feel offended if I do not respond but I do try to read everything and use it to build upon, even if I do not directly use it. Your comments give me a sense of community awareness and feeling, and they provide info upon which to build. So my thanks to you for all you send and the knowledge you provide me, which I try to pass along.

Keep those comments flowing, they are greatly appreciated.

5 Points Parking

Belinda Gergel has appointed a committee to investigate parking, and the first meeting is at the Senior Center Wednesday at 6p. I will be out of town, but here is what I sent the committee.

I will not be here then so I will miss the meeting. I am opposed to a large facility at the Kenny site. I favor the Claussens as it is much more centrally located, giving merchants in north 5 Points parking as well. Yet it is only 1 block from the Kenny site. It also blends in to the hill and background very well, much as one in the Wachovia lot would do against the railroad berm. But the Wachovia lot is also at the far end of 5 Points, away from the north 5 Points merchants who could also use parking. Maybe a multi-level garage could be put next to the Office Depot, which would also be against the railroad berm and not as visibly detracting. I also favor the Gergel plan of perimeter parking as it allows easy parking near many more businesses, but these lots MUST be lighted well at night, be very open visibly, and be patrolled frequently, for obvious reasons. Cameras on internet and recorded would be excellent to add, and those cameras are cheap to add.

If you have any interest in the 5 Points area, I suggest you attend this meeting.

Speaking of Parking

Here is a nifty solution from one observant reader. Our friends at China Garden had plans drawn for a project that included this, but have since changed plans.

http://nreionline.com/technology/automated_garages_urban_parking_0818/

Pour It Now

I support this project for many reasons. If you want to know why, ask.

FUN RAISING, POUR IT NOW SILENT AUCTION

WHAT:
Mark your calendar and make plans to attend! Enjoy a live Jazz
Ensemble made up completely of local skateboarders, hor d'oeuvres,
open bar and great auction items, ranging from art to fashion! This
family friendly event is fun for everyone! Tickets are only $25 per
person and can be purchased online at www.pouritnow.com

WHEN:
Sunday, September 7, 2008
6:00pm to 9:00pm

WHERE:
MoMo's Bistro
2930 Devine Street
Columbia, SC

WHY:
With no public skate parks in Columbia, Fun Raising, POUR IT NOW's
silent auction helps raise the funds needed to build a park that will
prevent potential injury to children forced to look for places to
skateboard that may place them in harm's way.

About Fun Raising:
(Columbia, SC) On Sunday, September 7 skateboarders and community
members will raise money to help build a much needed skatepark in
Columbia. POUR IT NOW, in conjunction with MoMo's Bistro and The Half
& Half present Fun Raising, a silent auction at MoMo's Bistro.

The Fun Raising Silent Auction will help POUR IT NOW continue their
effort to raise awareness and funds to replace the park at Owens
Field. Fun Raising provides the skateboarders of Columbia the support
they need for a free, fun, safe place to roll around.

Enjoy a live Jazz Ensemble made up completely of local skateboaders,
hor d'oeuvres, open bar and great auction items, ranging from art to
fashion! This family friendly event is fun for everyone. Tickets are
only $25 per person and can be purchased online at www.pouritnow.com .

For more information:
Ryan Cockrell: ryan.cockrell@gmail.com
POUR IT NOW: www.pouritnow.com

And life needs to be, or at least have a little humor to dull the pain…..

You send me so much humorous material, much too politically incorrect to put here. (But I do love it, so keep it coming!) In honor of football season, I respectfully submit this sent by an astute female reader (with obviously no mercy for northern football fans).

As for those dawgs, someone call the SPCA, poodle fighting is illegal (though not very rough), and it could mess up their perms.

…………………..

There are two sports seasons in America, according to Colin Cowherd of ESPN---- 1) Football season and 2) Waiting on football season.

The wait is almost over!! Whooo-hoo!

Go Dawgs!!! Sic 'em!! woof, woof, woof!

And this couldn't be more true:

Football & SEC

Planning for the fall football season in the South is radically different
than up North. For those who are planning a football trip South, here
are some helpful hints.

> Women's Accessories:
NORTH: Chap Stick in back pocket and a $20 bill in the front pocket.
SOUTH: Louis Vuitton duffel with two lipsticks, waterproof mascara,
and a fifth of bourbon. Money not necessary - that's what dates are for.

> Stadium Size:
NORTH: College football stadiums hold 20,000 people.
SOUTH: High school football stadiums hold 20,000 people.


> Fathers:
NORTH: Expect their daughters to understand Sylvia Plath.
SOUTH: Expect their daughters to understand pass interference.

> Campus Decor:
NORTH: Statues of founding fathers.
SOUTH: Statues of Heisman trophy winners.

> Homecoming Queen:
NORTH: Also a physics major.
SOUTH: Also Miss USA .

> Heroes:
NORTH: Rudy Giuliani
SOUTH: Herschel Walker & Peyton Manning

> Getting Tickets:
NORTH: 5 days before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus.
SOUTH: 5 months before the game you walk into the ticket office on campus, make a large financial contribution, and put name on a waiting
list for tickets.

> Friday Classes After a Thursday Night Game:
NORTH: Students and teachers not sure they're going to t! he ga me,because they have classes on Friday.
SOUTH: Teachers cancel Friday classes because they don't want to see the few hung over students that might actually make it to cla ss.

> Parking:
NORTH: An hour before game time, the University opens the campus for game parking.
SOUTH: RVs sporting their school flags begin arriving on Wednesday for the weekend festivities. The really faithful arrive on Tuesday.

> Game Day:
NORTH: A few students party in the dorm and watch ESPN on TV.
SOUTH: Every student wakes up, has a beer for breakfast, and rushes over to where ESPN is broadcasting 'Game Day Live' to get on camera and wave to
the idiots up north who wonder why 'Game Day Live' is never Broadcast
from their campus.

> Tailgating:
NORTH: Raw meat on a grill, beer with lime in it, listening to local radio
station with truck tailgate down.
SOUTH: 30-foot custom pig-shaped smoker fires up at dawn. Cooking
accompanied by live performance from the Dave Matthews Band,... who come over during breaks and ask for a hit off bottle of bourbon.

> Getting to the Stadium:
NORTH: You ask 'Where's the stadium?' When you find it, you walk right in.
SOUTH: When you're near it, you'll hear it. On game day it is the state's third largest city.

> Concessions:
NORTH: Drinks served in a paper cup, filled to the top with soda.
SOUTH: Drinks served in a plastic cup, with the home team's mascot on it,
filled less than half way with soda, to ensure enough room for bourbon.

> When National Anthem is Played:
NORTH: Stands are less than half full, and less than half of them stand up.
SOUTH: 100,000 fans, all standing, sing along in perfect four-part harmony.

> The Smell in the Air After the First Score :
NORTH: Nothing changes.
SOUTH: Fireworks, with a touch of bourbon.

> Commentary (Male):
NORTH: 'Nice play.'
SOUTH: 'Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs.'

> Commentary (Female):
NORTH: 'My, this certainly is a violent sport.'
SOUTH: 'Dammit, you slow sumbitch - tackle him and break his legs.'

> Announcers:
NORTH: Neutral and paid.
SOUTH: Announcer harmonizes with the crowd in the fight song, with a tear in his eye because he is so proud of his team.

> After the Game:
NORTH: The stadium is empty way before the game ends.
SOUTH: Another rack of ribs goes on the smoker, while somebody goes to the nearest package store for more bourbon, and planning begins for next week's
game.

Nothing else in the universe comes even halfway close to the glories of Southern football!


Sic em' dawgs!

Letter to The State-City bus system (8-28-08)

Much talk has been served over the bus system, much more finger pointing. Regardless, none of it matters at this time. The bus system is dead unless money is found to operate it next year. Let me suggest a reasonable proposal.

No one wants taxes. But they are tolerated if they serve a useful purpose. But no one wants taxes that are abused. Though public transportation in Columbia is not heavily used, the citizens do recognize a need for those who have no private transportation, and no means to own any. They understand the need of those in this situation, as well as for citizens who no longer drive. I believe to be proposal our citizens would support in a public referendum. Eliminate the 2 cent sales tax on prepared food. Institute a ½ cent sales tax strictly for the bus system that will exist each year until the required amount needed to fund the bus system properly is reached. Then eliminate the tax until the following year, again collecting it until the necessary amount is reached. Various reports state that about $12 million per year is needed. I believe, calculating simply from news reports I have read and heard, this amount should be collected within 3 to 4 months each year.

Of course, there will be anguish among the arts community, and I am one of the beneficiaries of the current hospitality tax for the arts, directly and indirectly. But in tough times, tough decisions must be made, and some things must give way to necessities. However, a half cent tax could be instituted that would go to the arts, and it would exist all year, every year. This proposal would keep and grow our bus system, dedicate the money only for the bus system, keep extra money from being misappropriated, still provide funding for the arts, and allow the citizens to keep more money in these tight times for family, food, school, and other necessities.

I suggest all councils investigate this course of action. I dare say the citizens would be supportive.

Joseph Azar

ABC News: ABC Reporter Arrested in Denver Taking Pictures of Senators, Big Donors (8-28-08)

And Brett Bursey thought only George Bush Republicans were like this. Money seems to talk, and often the wrong language, no matter the party.

Joseph Azar

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/Conventions/story?id=5668622&page=1

Game Day Parking (8-26-08)

Great game day parking. One space 200 yards from the stadium, clean bathrooms, plenty of HDTVs, fenced and covered (you will appreciate it when it rains Thursday evening). 513-3357

Also parking at the storage facility at Rosewood and Assembly, and at SCANA on Bluff by Bernie’s, both sponsored by Columbia Sertoma, with proceeds going to charities in Columbia

The City of Columbia is Functionally Bankrupt (8-25-08)

Yes, it is true, just read the article by Adam Beam. This I have said for years. There is too much not on the books that the city is liable for, and it only gets put on the books when it no longer can be hidden.

Functional bankruptcy? I am asked constantly what is that as no one seems to know. OK, it is my term, one I created to describe a bankrupt entity that cannot easily go bankrupt as it can tax its way out of it, penalizing the people who it has already violated. Obviously, no other entity other than a governmental one can exist in functional bankruptcy. No private business can squander all its assets, have a very red bottom line on the income statement and balance sheet, and be able to force everyone to come in and spend money with them, whether a person wanted what the business had or not. But our city can do that, and it is, raising water and sewer rates yearly, fines, fees, and other taxes. We are all paying for council mistakes, and we will pay for years. It is so bad that we will not have Christmas decorations in 5 Points and downtown, according to news articles quoting our city manager.

2006-2007 has not yet been audited, according to news articles, so no one knows exactly what happened. The comments in the article are very telling, especially if you read past what is being said. Adam Beam has really been polite to council and administration with his comments. But if you do the numbers he presents, plus factor in the items he says no one knows exactly what the costs will be, you can see that the city is far into the red. Then identify the items that are not on the books that need attention, such as water tanks that need repair, water and sewer lines that are failing, extra police and security that needs funding, down revenue of local business that will be reflected in lower business license tax collections, among others, plus add in the insurance costs for employees that have “surprisingly” blind sided council, and you can see a lot more red ink.

What does this mean for all of us, in the city or not? Higher water, higher sewer, higher taxes and fees, increased cost of living and doing business in the city. This can, and will, cause people to move elsewhere, and business to think twice before locating in the city. Already SCANA has chosen to move, and others will probably follow. If so, costs to us left here will go even higher.

Rickenmann and Finlay suggested firing city employees deemed responsible. I wonder if they would care to share with us who those city officials and employees might be? Coble said it is embarrassing, but with new procedures and personnel, the city should do a much better job. Of course, why did he not recognize this a few years ago when it started, and how much worse could he and council do? Does council not ask to see financials? Do they not make and review a budget? Do they not base the next year’s budget on what actually happened the previous year, plus expectations of the future of the economy?

I could go on and on, but Adam Beam has written a good, albeit gentle, story on the situation. Adam’s articles are one good reason to take The State. He has been digging into city issues and reporting well about them. I know many of you dropped your subscriptions due to the editorial staff, most especially Warthen and Bolton, who have done a good job of running off many subscribers, and have been the inspiration for the I Don’t Read The State bumper sticker and others similar. So take out a 2 month subscription, and send Henry Haitz, the president, (1401 Shop Rd., P.O. Box 1333,Columbia, SC 29202, hhaitz@thestate.com) a note saying that you will continue to subscribe if they get rid of those two. Newspapers everywhere need the subscribers, so maybe he will. After all, The State cut out the Saturday editorial page, so maybe the end for those two is coming sooner than we think.

After you read the article, send me your comments.

Joseph Azar

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/499398.html

Welcome!

Due to so many requests, I am adding my newsletter to a blog. Though I prefer having a newsletter delivered to me as I never have time to go to a blog, it seems many prefer to access a blog for information.

So here we go, adding the content of The Azar Newsletter (that is now delivered directly to the thousands of readers) to a blog site.

Enjoy!

Joseph Azar

PS You can still request email delivery of my newsletter by requesting at josephazar@upstairsaudio.com. The archives for The Azar Newsletter are in Google Groups, which is http://groups.google.com/group/theazarnewsletter.