Can You Believe It?
A store clerk dies after being trampled by shoppers at a Wal-Mart on Black Friday (http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=4226712&cl=10885567&src=news). No one helped and customers complained after being told the store would close for a while as a clerk was just killed. What have we become?
People lined up since Thanksgiving night to shop at stores. Best Buy had customers in line for deals in our town (http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?rn=4226712&cl=10885567&src=news). Crazy, as these shoppers could have picked up a copy of Thursday’s The State and seen deals that matched or beat the ones they lined up for hours to get. Some were going to put their buys on E-bay (I am sure E-bay buyers also read local ads). Ridiculous! Better computer deals elsewhere with no minimums in stock, lower prices on cameras elsewhere with no lines, and these deals will be repeated as Christmas approaches. It always happens as stores want to clear out badly before Christmas. Otherwise, the prices are even better after Christmas as they must rid themselves of stock. Plus, returns. Those always go at even better prices. It reminds me of the sales tax holiday. Everyone goes into a feeding frenzy for sales tax savings, yet the next weekend whatever is left is always 25-50% off, far more than the 7% savings. I always wait and find better bargains then.
Then there are the liquidation sale scams (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=6326174&page=1). I went to Tweeter to see what they had on sale as I was told they were selling stuff for less than I could buy it for. Some items I saw, barely. Others, more, yet they claimed 70% off. No way as the list prices were higher than ours and the manufacturer’s suggested resale price.
BTW, some of the great discounts you see at the big box stores aren’t. Some manufacturers have two prices: MSRP (manufacturer suggested resale price) and MAP (minimum advertised price). A product can have a MSRP of $1200 with a MAP of $995, which is the lowest a retailer can advertise the product for, or be in violation of dealer-manufacturer agreements and lose the line. Often the “discount” you see is the difference between MSRP and MAP. It is all just a numbers game. And most people fall for it.
Your best bet is to check with local businesses, smaller ones. Often they are the same as the big boxes +/-5 or 10%. It may surprise you, but the small guys can do it as the big boxes have unbelievable overhead; the little guys do not, so they can be very competitive. But the best part is that the little guys work harder for your business, provide better buying information, knowledge, instruction, and after the sale service. Most frequently, the small guys offer service at a lower rate than the big boxes. For instance, last time I checked, Best Buy was charging $70-80 to put a stick of RAM in a computer. Silicon Solutions, a local shop on Millwood, was charging $30-40. And the staff at Silicon Solutions is far more knowledgeable than Best Buy, and more helpful, from the feedback I get.
I find the same thing at Hiller Hardware, where I can buy one screw, not a bag of 10 just to get one. And I find a better selection at Hiller. Ditto for Mann Tool, where I buy my power tools. They also do in house service, which is very convenient and quick. Their selection is better than any of the big boxes, prices competitive, and knowledge far superior about tools. They have even fixed some tools past warranty as they know the problems and what should be taken care of from experience and service alerts.
Often, I have told people we are not the lowest but the best, especially on installation. I may have to eat those words as I have found the big stores charging far more than what we charge for less service than we give. When we can hang a flat screen TV, adjust it, program it, link it to the AV surround receiver, and instruct our customer on use for less than the big stores charge just to hang it and go, I start thinking some BBQ sauce on those words might make them go down easier.
Material is not the be all, end all. What you own is not the defining criteria of you; what you are is. No one deserves to die over a sale. People need to be aware of the sale tricks and scams designed to relieve them of their money. And it is the little guy, the specialist store that can give you far better product for comparable prices to the lesser stuff the big boxes sell.
Blue Hippo
Speaking of scams, this has got to be a real money maker. It seems to be the merchandise equivalent of payday lenders. The web site does not explain the program very well, or the prices. They advertise like mad on radio stations that seem to be appealing to people with lower income. From what I can gather, they sell you a laptop for far more than list price, but require a deposit and a designated number of weeks of lay-away payments before they ship product. In other words, they get at least the list price, if not more, before they send it, and then continue to have you pay a year’s worth of weekly payments so they can provide you a good credit rating, as they advertise they have no credit checks, and that anyone with a checking account can get a laptop on credit from them.
It strikes me as a rip off as the laptop did not even have Wi-Fi, at least as I could find on the website. If you know of anyone that bought through them, I would like to hear of the experience.
Investment-Coble
Another socialist gets in line with hands out! He hasn't been able to handle the dollars he spends now, and he wants more? How much will this new 'team' cost the taxpayers?
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/602300.html & http://www.thestate.com/local/story/592575.html
I was going to let this slide, but got two earfuls from people, and then some, as seen from the example above. Coble goes to DC to get Obama to “invest” in Columbia. In other words, Coble is looking for bail out bucks just as the financial sector is. Obama has stated he would invest in America through infrastructure projects, much as the WPA did. I do not fault Coble for going (though it could have also been a Christmas shopping junket as well-he did something similar over 10 years ago when he went to NYC to talk Macy’s out of leaving, and it was looked at as a shopping junket as Macy’s leaving was already written in stone) as he should try to get money for the infrastructure projects we need to do, but 1) we do have lobbyists we pay to do this so was his trip necessary, and 2) his blatant spin, calling it an “investment” as we all do know it is a bail out. The city has increased fees and taxes and fines to get more revenue, and is having to cut the budget 5%, so they say, though it will likely be much more, in order to stay afloat. Coble insults us with his incessant spin. He has not balanced the budget for over 2 years, meaning it has not been current and council nor city manager really knew what we had and how to responsibly spend it. Council has failed to effectively budget and is now in trouble.
It is a bail out, stupid!
Bob, call it what it is.
War, What is it Good For?
Why, oh why? It has got to be the same mentality that causes people to trample a store clerk to death just to get a few “bargains”, and then complain that they have been in line for hours and do not understand why the store has to be shut for a killing. Only on a larger basis with more powerful weapons.
Buraya basarak resmi tam boytunda görebilirsiniz.
(The pictures do not show on Blogger, so visit The Azar Newsletter at Google Groups.)
What if it was you, and your children?
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
MRI scans pose danger of infection (11-19-08)
Who would guess that you could get an incurable infection from an MRI, and die? My mother got one recently and fortunately she is OK, but she had a head cut and could have easily been infected. Hospitals are dirty places, according to friends who work in them, and that is understandable, but with the superbugs that have no known cure, it is frightening knowing that some medical personnel do not follow clean procedures. Hospitals are going to have a lot of infectious matter; after all, that is why people are there, to rid themselves of that. Just make sure you have medical personnel that keep things sanitary, and insist on it if they do not.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Patients-Develop-Superbug-MRSA-Infections/story.aspx?guid=%7BFC7ED289-7E12-465D-93AB-134347EEA31E%7D
PRESS RELEASE
Patients Develop Superbug MRSA Infections After Undergoing MRI Scanning
Renowned MRI Expert Alerts Public to New Concerns
Last update: 9:05 a.m. EST Nov. 18, 2008
HAYWARD, CA, Nov 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Dr. Peter Rothschild, one of the world's foremost MRI experts, is alerting the public to the possible risk of Superbug MRSA infections during medical imaging studies, such as MRI.
Numerous patients have developed "Superbug" infections that are resistant to conventional antibiotics after their MRI. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common superbugs that patients have contracted after undergoing an MRI scan.
The most famous of these cases is that of 15-year-old honor roll student Nile Moss, who died from an MRSA infection after an outpatient visit to a hospital where he underwent an MRI. After leaving the hospital, Nile developed a high temperature. Three days after being admitted to the hospital, he died.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1.7 million people in the United States contract a hospital acquired infection each year, and more than 100,000 people die each year as a result of these infections. Reports show that, in 2005, nearly 19,000 people died from hospital acquired infections. Hospital acquired infections are killing more people each year than AIDS.
After hearing of Nile's death, California State Senator Elaine Alquist was prompted to sponsor California SB1058, "The MRSA reporting and screening bill." Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed the bill into law, along with another bill designed to establish more rigorous infection control and training programs in hospitals.
An example that is occurring more frequently involved an elderly patient scheduled for cardiac bypass surgery. His doctors suspected that he may have had a small stroke and ordered an MRI. Two days after the MRI, the patient became sick, was then diagnosed with MRSA and within days after the MRI, the patient died from the infection.
Peter Rothschild M.D., the author of the landmark paper "Preventing Infection in MRI: Best Practices for Infection Control in and Around MRI Suites," says, "Infection control has such a low priority in MRI centers, that in the hundreds of MRI suites I have visited, I have rarely, if ever, seen a technologist clean the room and pads or even routinely wash their hands between patients, much less have a written infection control procedure. Patients have no idea of the total lack of infection control in MRI centers, especially outpatient MRIs. However, the worst of all are mobile MRIs, which often have not been properly cleaned in years. These mobile MRIs pull up to the back of a doctor's office or a small community hospital often after scanning highly contagious inmates at the local prison."
Dr. Rothschild warns, "Remove the sheet that covers the table pads and I promise you will be disgusted by what you see. Pads used on MRIs are torn and frayed and are often so contaminated that they smell. These pads should have been replaced years ago, but continue to be used every day without cleaning between patients, and sometimes they are never cleaned at all. I am not surprised that patients are becoming infected with MRSA following MRI scans; the rooms and pads table are filthy."
A recent study, from Ireland, confirmed this type of contamination in MRI suites by culturing the Superbug MRSA from the bore of an MRI. This raised great concern from Dr. Rothschild, because this is an area that is rarely, if ever, cleaned, but frequently is in very close contact with patients.
"This is the first and only study to date ever to take cultures from an MRI for the presence of Superbugs. I am extremely disappointed that no investigators in the United States have taken on the challenge to culture MRIs and pads for Superbug," said Rothschild. "Therefore, one has to assume from the limited data and lack of infection control at these centers, that they are a source of deadly MRSA infections and every precaution must be taken for its prevention."
He continued, "Unfortunately, the solution that most imaging centers have adopted is to ignore the problem and simply cover the torn and contaminated table pads with a clean sheet, thinking that this will somehow protect the patient."
Dr. Rothschild's experience has been that essentially 100% of the table pads use in MRIs over two to three years old are torn or frayed. This is in direct violation of clear guidelines by the CDC for environmental infection control in healthcare facilities. These guidelines state that damaged pads must be discarded since they are impossible to adequately clean. Even worse, some pads are so poorly made, and MRSA can penetrate frayed fabric covers that appear intact. Rothschild says torn and frayed pads are items that are often overlooked by MRI centers or not replaced in order to save money.
In response to these concerns, Dr. Rothschild recommends using a black light to identify biological contamination as well as a magnifying glass to see torn and frayed areas on MRI pads. This procedure will allow MRI centers to determine which pads must be replaced.
"There is nothing in my practice I am more concerned about than my patients developing an infection by a Superbug like MRSA, especially after an MRI," warns Richard Nolan M.D., an orthopedic surgeon. "If a patient begins to develop an infection from their pre-op MRI, any subsequent surgical results could be catastrophic. I have been ordering MRIs for years and have extensive experience with the lack of any semblance of infection control at these MRI centers. That is why I ask to see the center's infection control policy and make a visit to the center to see for myself, especially the condition of the pads. My motto is 'No infection control policy, no patients.' Unfortunately, that is the only way I have found to get MRI centers to take this issue seriously."
"It is only a matter of time before attorneys begin to subpoena MRI centers to obtain the pads for inspection and culturing," said Rothschild. "What should be of great concern for the MRI center is that from the MRSA found, a DNA 'fingerprint' can be acquired and then genetically matched to the MRSA cultured from an infected patient, leaving no doubt as to the source of the deadly infection."
"We live in a world that is increasingly under siege from extremely aggressive and dangerous bacteria. As radiologists, we need to make every effort to ensure that the imaging centers are clean and safe for our patients. There is no excuse for not taking every precaution possible for protecting our patients from these deadly Superbugs. Radiologists have, for too long, ignored the severe threat that these Superbugs present to all of our patients, especially immunosuppressed patients. This is dangerous and unacceptable."
Rothschild believes that, until MRI centers and the imaging community as a whole, take this threat seriously, more patients will contract MRSA after their MRIs, and many of them may die from these infections.
In his recently released white paper, Rothschild calls for more infectious disease control policies in the industry and patient education on how to prevent contracting a Superbug infection from MRI scans.
To request a copy of Dr. Rothschild's white paper, titled "Preventing Infections in MRI: Best Practices for Infection Control in and around MRI Suites," contact Doug Kohl, Sierra Communications, (209) 586-5887, or dkohl@mlode.com. More information on Superbug infections in MRI can be found at www.patientcomfortsystems.com
About Peter Rothschild, M.D.
Dr. Peter Rothschild is considered one of the world's foremost MRI experts. He formerly served as Medical Director of the research laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco, where he helped develop the first commercially available Open MRI scanner. He is the editor of the first textbook on Open MRI, authored numerous papers on the subject and is a sought after speaker who lectures on MRI and its future. Dr. Rothschild is a Board Certified Radiologist and served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of California at San Francisco. He earned his M.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is founder and president of Patient Comfort Systems, Inc., a company dedicated to patient comfort and safety.
Contact:
Doug Kohl
Sierra Communications
(209) 586-5887
dkohl@mlode.com
SOURCE: Patient Comfort Systems
mailto:dkohl@mlode.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Patients-Develop-Superbug-MRSA-Infections/story.aspx?guid=%7BFC7ED289-7E12-465D-93AB-134347EEA31E%7D
PRESS RELEASE
Patients Develop Superbug MRSA Infections After Undergoing MRI Scanning
Renowned MRI Expert Alerts Public to New Concerns
Last update: 9:05 a.m. EST Nov. 18, 2008
HAYWARD, CA, Nov 18, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Dr. Peter Rothschild, one of the world's foremost MRI experts, is alerting the public to the possible risk of Superbug MRSA infections during medical imaging studies, such as MRI.
Numerous patients have developed "Superbug" infections that are resistant to conventional antibiotics after their MRI. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most common superbugs that patients have contracted after undergoing an MRI scan.
The most famous of these cases is that of 15-year-old honor roll student Nile Moss, who died from an MRSA infection after an outpatient visit to a hospital where he underwent an MRI. After leaving the hospital, Nile developed a high temperature. Three days after being admitted to the hospital, he died.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 1.7 million people in the United States contract a hospital acquired infection each year, and more than 100,000 people die each year as a result of these infections. Reports show that, in 2005, nearly 19,000 people died from hospital acquired infections. Hospital acquired infections are killing more people each year than AIDS.
After hearing of Nile's death, California State Senator Elaine Alquist was prompted to sponsor California SB1058, "The MRSA reporting and screening bill." Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger recently signed the bill into law, along with another bill designed to establish more rigorous infection control and training programs in hospitals.
An example that is occurring more frequently involved an elderly patient scheduled for cardiac bypass surgery. His doctors suspected that he may have had a small stroke and ordered an MRI. Two days after the MRI, the patient became sick, was then diagnosed with MRSA and within days after the MRI, the patient died from the infection.
Peter Rothschild M.D., the author of the landmark paper "Preventing Infection in MRI: Best Practices for Infection Control in and Around MRI Suites," says, "Infection control has such a low priority in MRI centers, that in the hundreds of MRI suites I have visited, I have rarely, if ever, seen a technologist clean the room and pads or even routinely wash their hands between patients, much less have a written infection control procedure. Patients have no idea of the total lack of infection control in MRI centers, especially outpatient MRIs. However, the worst of all are mobile MRIs, which often have not been properly cleaned in years. These mobile MRIs pull up to the back of a doctor's office or a small community hospital often after scanning highly contagious inmates at the local prison."
Dr. Rothschild warns, "Remove the sheet that covers the table pads and I promise you will be disgusted by what you see. Pads used on MRIs are torn and frayed and are often so contaminated that they smell. These pads should have been replaced years ago, but continue to be used every day without cleaning between patients, and sometimes they are never cleaned at all. I am not surprised that patients are becoming infected with MRSA following MRI scans; the rooms and pads table are filthy."
A recent study, from Ireland, confirmed this type of contamination in MRI suites by culturing the Superbug MRSA from the bore of an MRI. This raised great concern from Dr. Rothschild, because this is an area that is rarely, if ever, cleaned, but frequently is in very close contact with patients.
"This is the first and only study to date ever to take cultures from an MRI for the presence of Superbugs. I am extremely disappointed that no investigators in the United States have taken on the challenge to culture MRIs and pads for Superbug," said Rothschild. "Therefore, one has to assume from the limited data and lack of infection control at these centers, that they are a source of deadly MRSA infections and every precaution must be taken for its prevention."
He continued, "Unfortunately, the solution that most imaging centers have adopted is to ignore the problem and simply cover the torn and contaminated table pads with a clean sheet, thinking that this will somehow protect the patient."
Dr. Rothschild's experience has been that essentially 100% of the table pads use in MRIs over two to three years old are torn or frayed. This is in direct violation of clear guidelines by the CDC for environmental infection control in healthcare facilities. These guidelines state that damaged pads must be discarded since they are impossible to adequately clean. Even worse, some pads are so poorly made, and MRSA can penetrate frayed fabric covers that appear intact. Rothschild says torn and frayed pads are items that are often overlooked by MRI centers or not replaced in order to save money.
In response to these concerns, Dr. Rothschild recommends using a black light to identify biological contamination as well as a magnifying glass to see torn and frayed areas on MRI pads. This procedure will allow MRI centers to determine which pads must be replaced.
"There is nothing in my practice I am more concerned about than my patients developing an infection by a Superbug like MRSA, especially after an MRI," warns Richard Nolan M.D., an orthopedic surgeon. "If a patient begins to develop an infection from their pre-op MRI, any subsequent surgical results could be catastrophic. I have been ordering MRIs for years and have extensive experience with the lack of any semblance of infection control at these MRI centers. That is why I ask to see the center's infection control policy and make a visit to the center to see for myself, especially the condition of the pads. My motto is 'No infection control policy, no patients.' Unfortunately, that is the only way I have found to get MRI centers to take this issue seriously."
"It is only a matter of time before attorneys begin to subpoena MRI centers to obtain the pads for inspection and culturing," said Rothschild. "What should be of great concern for the MRI center is that from the MRSA found, a DNA 'fingerprint' can be acquired and then genetically matched to the MRSA cultured from an infected patient, leaving no doubt as to the source of the deadly infection."
"We live in a world that is increasingly under siege from extremely aggressive and dangerous bacteria. As radiologists, we need to make every effort to ensure that the imaging centers are clean and safe for our patients. There is no excuse for not taking every precaution possible for protecting our patients from these deadly Superbugs. Radiologists have, for too long, ignored the severe threat that these Superbugs present to all of our patients, especially immunosuppressed patients. This is dangerous and unacceptable."
Rothschild believes that, until MRI centers and the imaging community as a whole, take this threat seriously, more patients will contract MRSA after their MRIs, and many of them may die from these infections.
In his recently released white paper, Rothschild calls for more infectious disease control policies in the industry and patient education on how to prevent contracting a Superbug infection from MRI scans.
To request a copy of Dr. Rothschild's white paper, titled "Preventing Infections in MRI: Best Practices for Infection Control in and around MRI Suites," contact Doug Kohl, Sierra Communications, (209) 586-5887, or dkohl@mlode.com. More information on Superbug infections in MRI can be found at www.patientcomfortsystems.com
About Peter Rothschild, M.D.
Dr. Peter Rothschild is considered one of the world's foremost MRI experts. He formerly served as Medical Director of the research laboratory at the University of California, San Francisco, where he helped develop the first commercially available Open MRI scanner. He is the editor of the first textbook on Open MRI, authored numerous papers on the subject and is a sought after speaker who lectures on MRI and its future. Dr. Rothschild is a Board Certified Radiologist and served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Radiology at the University of California at San Francisco. He earned his M.D. degree in 1981 from the University of Louisville, in Louisville, Kentucky. He is founder and president of Patient Comfort Systems, Inc., a company dedicated to patient comfort and safety.
Contact:
Doug Kohl
Sierra Communications
(209) 586-5887
dkohl@mlode.com
SOURCE: Patient Comfort Systems
mailto:dkohl@mlode.com
Copyright 2008 Market Wire, All rights reserved.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
How many does it take to.......part 4 (11-18-08)
It was my intention to discuss many more of the issues of the homeless, issues concerning homeless women and children, the mentally and physically unrehabilitatable, the domestic abusers, sexual predators, chronic homeless, hard luck homeless that want renewed life, the homeless ex-military, and stories from homeless I have met in this and the next issues. But I must pause and discuss the politics as I see the MHA going through with the Salvation Army facility.
What I have seen is a group of citizens and businesses on one side that is tired of waiting for something to happen with the homeless, therefore willing to take action themselves. I see another side composed of residents and businesses that are opposed to any shelter in the downtown business and residential areas. The first side, the MHA, is composed of politically savvy, well connected and well heeled citizens and businesses, along with caring groups and churches. The MHA is organized, has a plan, applied for a grant, put up money to match the grant, and is on course to develop a facility in the failed Salvation Army facility. The other side is composed of a loose group of citizens, primarily neighborhood leaders and residents, opposed to any shelter due to the conflicts and fears that homeless spread through an area. The residents and businesses have a legitimate position as the littering (including defecation on porches, in yards, alleys and store fronts), sleeping in private yards, the aggressive (and I have seen aggressive) panhandling, and intimidation are detrimental to a peaceful, fear free neighborhood and business district.
Unfortunately, the residents and businesses (RB) are not organized, have no alternatives, and have not reached across the divide to work with the MHA, nor have taken the issue to the rest of the city residents. Likewise, the MHA has not reached across to work with the RB, springing this plan rather quickly upon everyone and rushing to implement it. Unlike the MHA, however, the RB has internal dissension. Some want to take action against MHA. Others simply want to support city council and whatever they decide to do about the homeless. Others are just angry and want to vent, not knowing what to do, or afraid to do anything. In spite of the internal schisms, the RB group will succeed in one way: they have forced council to refuse help to the MHA if they put a shelter at the Salvation Army site. Council realizes where the reelection votes are and know they are in the RB group, not the MHA. But RB will lose on the issue as MHA has the money and apparent legal right to build the shelter at the Main & Elmwood site.
The citizens, businesses, churches and helping groups of the MHA were tired of waiting for council and took action. They felt the city failed to act in a responsible manner, trying failing programs such as a winter only shelter and Housing First, neither of which solved anything long term. Now the city has extended the life of the riverside shelter that they promised to have open only two years, hired a homeless coordinator, and is trying to implement more services for the homeless. The effort is good, albeit long overdue, but underfunded and no guarantee of long term ongoing funding, especially in light of the city’s initial need to reduce the budget by at least 5%.
But the MHA faces the same problems as it has money to do the initial building and renovation but no guarantees of ongoing funding, putting it in the same danger of failure as happened to the Salvation Army. In this tight economic time, and without broad based support, the MHA cannot expect its shelter to last. It cannot expect anything but resistance at all points from the citizens and council alike.
All sides need to come together and talk, and listen. From what I have been told by some MHA members, this shelter at Main and Elmwood is a rehabilitation facility, one intended for those wanting to break the bonds of homelessness and economic insecurity, those that want to learn and improve themselves so as to once again become productive members of society. What it will not do is take in the transient and chronic homeless. Yet this is the main problem for the neighborhoods and business districts. So, the defecating, sleeping in residential yards, aggressive panhandling and such will still continue, problems unresolved.
Let me again state what I have in the previous three articles. This downtown facility is not adequate for the intended purpose as it is too small and cannot be expanded. There is not enough room for sleeping, eating and training to accommodate all that want and need services. The MHA points to Miami as an example. That facility has a small downtown presence with a larger facility on the outskirts in Homestead, much as I have suggested we do with a facility on our outskirts that would consist of many expandable and farmable acres. By having a large enough area, facilities can be created for chronic homeless vs. those for active job training and rehabilitation, and these facilities can be isolated from each other to keep threatening elements from women and children. But it still cannot succeed if there is not broad based support which must come Columbia, Richland, Lexington, Kershaw and Fairfield counties, all the surrounding cities, all churches, all groups like United Way, Sertoma, Rotary, etc., state and federal government, and private business and citizen support.
One way to build understanding and support is to have 4 or 5 forums around the city with panels from both sides discussing the issue, as well as taking suggestions and gathering ideas from the citizens. So far, I have had two newspapers and two from the MHA say this would be a good idea that they would support and participate.
Without cooperation, MHA will have built another failing shrine to poor planning from knee jerk reaction that our city has so eloquently demonstrated over the years, the homeless will still go needing, too much money will have been wasted, and the homeless issue will still be cussed and discussed for many more years to come.
What I have seen is a group of citizens and businesses on one side that is tired of waiting for something to happen with the homeless, therefore willing to take action themselves. I see another side composed of residents and businesses that are opposed to any shelter in the downtown business and residential areas. The first side, the MHA, is composed of politically savvy, well connected and well heeled citizens and businesses, along with caring groups and churches. The MHA is organized, has a plan, applied for a grant, put up money to match the grant, and is on course to develop a facility in the failed Salvation Army facility. The other side is composed of a loose group of citizens, primarily neighborhood leaders and residents, opposed to any shelter due to the conflicts and fears that homeless spread through an area. The residents and businesses have a legitimate position as the littering (including defecation on porches, in yards, alleys and store fronts), sleeping in private yards, the aggressive (and I have seen aggressive) panhandling, and intimidation are detrimental to a peaceful, fear free neighborhood and business district.
Unfortunately, the residents and businesses (RB) are not organized, have no alternatives, and have not reached across the divide to work with the MHA, nor have taken the issue to the rest of the city residents. Likewise, the MHA has not reached across to work with the RB, springing this plan rather quickly upon everyone and rushing to implement it. Unlike the MHA, however, the RB has internal dissension. Some want to take action against MHA. Others simply want to support city council and whatever they decide to do about the homeless. Others are just angry and want to vent, not knowing what to do, or afraid to do anything. In spite of the internal schisms, the RB group will succeed in one way: they have forced council to refuse help to the MHA if they put a shelter at the Salvation Army site. Council realizes where the reelection votes are and know they are in the RB group, not the MHA. But RB will lose on the issue as MHA has the money and apparent legal right to build the shelter at the Main & Elmwood site.
The citizens, businesses, churches and helping groups of the MHA were tired of waiting for council and took action. They felt the city failed to act in a responsible manner, trying failing programs such as a winter only shelter and Housing First, neither of which solved anything long term. Now the city has extended the life of the riverside shelter that they promised to have open only two years, hired a homeless coordinator, and is trying to implement more services for the homeless. The effort is good, albeit long overdue, but underfunded and no guarantee of long term ongoing funding, especially in light of the city’s initial need to reduce the budget by at least 5%.
But the MHA faces the same problems as it has money to do the initial building and renovation but no guarantees of ongoing funding, putting it in the same danger of failure as happened to the Salvation Army. In this tight economic time, and without broad based support, the MHA cannot expect its shelter to last. It cannot expect anything but resistance at all points from the citizens and council alike.
All sides need to come together and talk, and listen. From what I have been told by some MHA members, this shelter at Main and Elmwood is a rehabilitation facility, one intended for those wanting to break the bonds of homelessness and economic insecurity, those that want to learn and improve themselves so as to once again become productive members of society. What it will not do is take in the transient and chronic homeless. Yet this is the main problem for the neighborhoods and business districts. So, the defecating, sleeping in residential yards, aggressive panhandling and such will still continue, problems unresolved.
Let me again state what I have in the previous three articles. This downtown facility is not adequate for the intended purpose as it is too small and cannot be expanded. There is not enough room for sleeping, eating and training to accommodate all that want and need services. The MHA points to Miami as an example. That facility has a small downtown presence with a larger facility on the outskirts in Homestead, much as I have suggested we do with a facility on our outskirts that would consist of many expandable and farmable acres. By having a large enough area, facilities can be created for chronic homeless vs. those for active job training and rehabilitation, and these facilities can be isolated from each other to keep threatening elements from women and children. But it still cannot succeed if there is not broad based support which must come Columbia, Richland, Lexington, Kershaw and Fairfield counties, all the surrounding cities, all churches, all groups like United Way, Sertoma, Rotary, etc., state and federal government, and private business and citizen support.
One way to build understanding and support is to have 4 or 5 forums around the city with panels from both sides discussing the issue, as well as taking suggestions and gathering ideas from the citizens. So far, I have had two newspapers and two from the MHA say this would be a good idea that they would support and participate.
Without cooperation, MHA will have built another failing shrine to poor planning from knee jerk reaction that our city has so eloquently demonstrated over the years, the homeless will still go needing, too much money will have been wasted, and the homeless issue will still be cussed and discussed for many more years to come.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
DHEC; Rosemond (11-16-08)
The State had a very good article on DHEC today and it is first in a series that continues through Saturday. read it carefully, and read between the lines. look at how power and money cause corruption and favoritism. I know I will be called down for saying this, but DHEC has the power to do what they say they cannot, even if it is just being an advocate for a better and healthier environment, which they say they cannot, according to the article.
When it comes to our government, state and city, money, which is power, buys favoritism and preferential treatment. Unfortunately, we the people, let it happen. We are a "Go along to get along" city and state, and allow ourselves to be treated as still on the plantation, with the massa still cracking the whip and we just taking it. When will we ever learn we as a group have power? Maybe the Obama event has started a little of that, along with erasing the notions of color making the choice for both black and white people.
Here is the first article: http://www.thestate.com/local/story/591534.html.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I highly recommend John Rosemond's articles to you. Though they are about children and parenting, they apply very well to adults and basic human nature. I constantly point out that adults never seem to lose any emotions they had as a child, they only gain 2 more. Find the website at http://www.rosemond.com/view/389/21753/Weekly-Column---111108.html. You will also find the weekly column in the Sunday State Life & Style section. I find it quite interesting and a must read for me weekly.
When it comes to our government, state and city, money, which is power, buys favoritism and preferential treatment. Unfortunately, we the people, let it happen. We are a "Go along to get along" city and state, and allow ourselves to be treated as still on the plantation, with the massa still cracking the whip and we just taking it. When will we ever learn we as a group have power? Maybe the Obama event has started a little of that, along with erasing the notions of color making the choice for both black and white people.
Here is the first article: http://www.thestate.com/local/story/591534.html.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I highly recommend John Rosemond's articles to you. Though they are about children and parenting, they apply very well to adults and basic human nature. I constantly point out that adults never seem to lose any emotions they had as a child, they only gain 2 more. Find the website at http://www.rosemond.com/view/389/21753/Weekly-Column---111108.html. You will also find the weekly column in the Sunday State Life & Style section. I find it quite interesting and a must read for me weekly.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Odds & Ends + Your Comments (11-10-08)
Things have been moving so fast lately, I have not time to keep up. Whew! Unfortunately, I did not get part 4 of the homeless situation together in time for the Free Times, so I have the rest of this week. Part 5 should be interesting too. With the rape of the lady at St. Peter’s by a homeless man, the heat and direction of the issue will change, I am quite sure. Unfortunately, all homeless will be blamed and shunned for the actions of one. It is the curse of the Garden of Eden once again.
Spam, Spoofing
It appears no one else is getting spammed with my address except me. But I received this from a reader: I get spammed by myself all the time. I’ve even sent naked pictures to myself. LOL
Having dealt with email for so long, I’m jaded and trust nothing, even familiar addresses, if the subject isn’t specific. Unfortunately, I have friends who persist in putting nothing on the subject line or something non-descript like “This will make you laugh!” No it won’t cuz I won’t open it. ; )
Well, at least mine get opened, so that is a plus. But this is probably one way that it happens, according to one reader:
Joe:
This kind fo spoofing means someone on the list has a trojan horse program that is grabbing all the email addresses from their contacts and sending them to the spammer to use as part of their spoofing.
So everyone should be using good anti-virus software and updating daily and scanning. I use a free program from AVG and have not had a virus since, and that is at least 3 years. Try it: http://free.avg.com/. Thanks to everyone for the feedback.
We get used!
In a good way. The news media often picks up stories from here. Jack Keunzie told me at the fair that he “stole” something from my newsletter. He had just done a story based on what you had sent. So your comments do make the news and affect our community. Here is jack’s article, basically pointing out that any rules and guidelines enacted in Columbia are often violated, quite quickly and quite frequently.
Joe: It appears the streaming video of this story is no longer available. This is more or less what the script said.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?s=9178479
Jack Kuenzie
Senior Reporter
WIS TV
1111 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-758-1265
803-758-1278 (fax)
jkuenzie@wistv.com
Thanks Jack! And keep up the good work.
Myco-Diesel and Mold
Joe,
I know you said that with tongue firmly planted in cheek, but some of those molds that can grow in a dorm room really can kill. Usually from an unhindered buildup in the pulmonary tree or the lungs directly.
I know you're just cryin' that Certainly Sh---- is having to close stores. Tweeter is gone, too, I saw in the paper the other day. Tweeter's pricing was ridiculous, BTW. They seemed to think a lot about themselves; pity few others did!
Take care and let's do lunch sometime!
Sure, but lunch without the mold. I have been told by a pigeon expert that pigeon poop that has been left to pile up for many months or a year can be quite dangerous, and not to stir it up and breathe it. Wear a mask/filter when shoveling it and carefully shovel it. Yes, the flesh eating bacteria is found quite often in places where we are, not just in some strange, out of the way place.
Circuit City just declared bankruptcy and reorganization today. It does not bode well for the consumer. Best Buy will take advantage of that and not only increase prices, but cause some manufacturers to go out of business. That is not good either. We will lose competition that creates new technology and lose the forces that drive down prices. I suggest you buy from CC before you go to the other big boxes as we need to keep the competition in the market place.
I know it sounds crazy for me to tell you to go see a competitor, but the loss will hurt me as well, as I expect manufacturers of good product but small stature to fail, having lost outlets in the independent section (ones like Upstairs Audio & Video), and now Tweeter and CC. I have never has a problem with competing on price with any of these stores as they have been the same, or more than us. Their overhead is astronomical, making it impossible to compete on all items with us. Sure, they may have some less, but usually the good products are higher. We often say, “They look like discount stores but their price tags give them away!”. What we do know is that their labor rates are higher than ours, we surprised me no end, as their installers do not have the skills and experience we have. Nor do the sales personnel, judging by the calls we get from people who have purchased at these big stores and then call us for help on how to use what they bought.
I just wish there were more small specialty stores with experts that love what they do. Without those, where do we go for knowledge, and where do specialty manufacturers go to sell advanced product?
Property Tax
Politicians should be good stewards and excellent agents of budgeting.
They should plan for the bad times with reserves that can carry
through until good times.
Joseph, this is a true statement; however, a politician's only mission in life is to get re-elected so they must spend the money on their constituents so they will be re-elected. Such an Catch 22 and so counter productive. Otherwise, my only counter to your property tax theory is that property tax is tax deductible where sales tax is not (for the most part) so I personally always vote to not raise sales tax to reduce property taxes. Also, with USA of A consumer spending down, a sales tax increase may be an additional deterrent to our recovery.
…………
I have always and will always believe that property taxes are wrong.
Period. In essence it means that one never really owns one's property.
The govt has a prior lien.
…………
Hi Joe:
This will be quick because I have to go vote...(why didn't I do it absentee????)..
You make a lot of good points... but one thing I would point out (and I am a big 3-legged stool (3-stooges?) proponents..
remember that property taxes represent only a fraction of the revenues that fund local govt. in SC.
For example, if you look at Richland Co. (had the data handy) the % of the total Gen Fund budget that comes from property taxes (all classes, residential, rental, commercial, industrial, etc) are $72.3 mil in FY 08-09. Total GF is $137.4 mil ... Property taxes only represent about 53% of the total budget. This of course varies by county. Muncipalities are even less dependent on property taxes ... I think the avg statewide is in the 35-40% range (I'm not looking at the data this minute) but you could check with the munic assoc and confirm.
We may not want some expenditures to have to vary so widely as the economy might swing and taxes based on income or sales might follow... for example, do we cut k-12 public educ when the economy slows... (I think we may see that happen due to Act 388.... )
So... it doesn't negate anything you were saying... but it adds another dimension or at least a little complicating factor.
Keep up the good work
jsa-If anyone would like the economic data I was sent, let me know and I will forward a copy. If I can find it on the web, I will post the link.
…………
Joe,
While a lot of what you write ( rant?) is true, let me clarify a few points:
1) The tax sale was moved because of the election and the massive crowds at the Hampton Street county complex. And lack of parking. The tax sale alternates the first part of November and the first part of December. Because the mandate was handed down by the State to sell mobile homes last year in the sale at almost the last minute, the November sale was moved to December, thereby throwing off the election year dates ( election years the sale ended up in December usually, so no conflict.). This years sale should by rights been in December to get back on schedule. Also, because of the volume of properties in the sale ( with the newly included mobile homes making the listing pages longer), there is no guarantee the sale would be over by the time County Council needed it's chambers by Tuesday night.
2) I agree that property tax is archaic . However to say that someone who has no income will loose their house........while true,if someone has no income, they will loose a lot more than their house. And, if you have a house, then you have an asset to sell, mortgage,reverse-mortgage to create the income you need. You need utilities/food/basics too if you have no income.......
3) While there are many owner occupied houses in the sale, there are also MANY stadium parking spaces...(!).....I'm sorry, but if you can afford to buy a parking space for many thousands of dollars, you ought to be able to afford the $250-$300 in taxes.
4) While I'm on my soapbox: I get totally ticked off at the 4%-6% tax rate for owner occupied vs. 2nd home/investment property. I am being ( economically) forced to move into another county for my principle residence because of the enormous difference in taxes.....just over $10,000 as a 2nd home, just over $2000 as principle. As an investor, I understand ( sort of) the reasoning behind "business" properties being assessed more. But I think that residential property should ALL be taxed the same.......renters pay their property tax through their rent. I can promise you that landlords pass on the increased costs for taxes/insurance/utilities in the increased rents. So...the people who can LEAST afford it pay the MOST in taxes indirectly. If agricultural land designation ( and lower taxes) has a minimum of 10 acres to apply, why can't all residential properties be assessed at 4% up to, say 10 units. That keeps the corporate apartment complexes at the "business" rate, and the smaller investor/ Mom and Pop landlords more reasonable?
As usual, thanks for letting me rant. I'm late for the tax sale............
…………
Joe:
You should submit this as an editorial to the newspapers. Excellent article!
jsa-OK, thanks, but I doubt they print it. However, I will send now. (Done.)
And Help Someone
Hi, Joe: I'm looking to a bicycle. It's for a "special" friend of mine who never misses an opportunity to grin and say, "You having a good day today, Miss Becky?" Living a pretty meager life, Randy does odd jobs around town, most recently at the El Cheapo's on Elmwood and Bull. He gets to work from his River Drive apartment on a bicycle--that is until last week when somebody pedaled away on it while Randy wasn't looking. He's saving up for another one, he says, and promises to lock it up on the inside from now own. It's got a bad chain and a flat tire, but the guy selling it to him says it won't take much to fix it.
You think someone out there might have a used three-speed we could share with Randy? He's about 5'10" and pretty wiry. And, he'll make your day--your week--with the toothy "thank you" you're gonna get!
Thanks for your help!
Becky Bailey
The New Survey
803-454-0088 (office)
803-338-9738 (mobile)
803-691-1187 (FAX)
………….
jsa-OK, I am late on this, but November is another month of need.
My mom sent me this message... she and my father are very involved with the Family Shelter. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also please pass this on to anyone you think may help. Every little bit counts!
Thanks!
Shelburne
Dear Friends and Family,
Julian is on the board of the Family Shelter and I have been involved through our church work with them. We know first-hand of the great need and good works of this shelter. You all know that we are not your typical fund-raisers and are sending this only because of a heart-felt need to help.
The Family Shelter is a private, non-profit organization that provides emergency transitional services for families with children who have been made destitute by crisis. It is the ONLY agency in the midlands that provides these services for families (dads and/or moms, and they must have children). The shelter provides secure, structured emergency housing and assists them in transitioning to permanent housing and a more stable life-style.
Right now the Family Shelter is in the midst of a financial crisis. We have a new director (Jon Artz) who is doing an excellent job. We are working with United Way consultants to cut expenses and develop a solid long-range plan to achieve financial stability.
For the moment, however, the shelter is in dire need of help to meet operational expenses for the month of October. If you are able to make a donation of any amount (tax-deductible), please mail your check to:
The Family Shelter
2411 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29204
If you know of a business or professional group that may be interested in contributing, please pass this on to them, or have them call Jon Artz at the Shelter (771-7040) or one of us (695-6140). Questions can be addressed through either of these numbers as well.
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you know of anyone we can call or visit that may be in a position to help, please let us know. We're new to the fund-raising game.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for any help you can give,
Cynthia and Julian Dew
………….
jsa-I have donated a big Cadillac and a van to this program. So you can do the same and get a good tax deduction. Rather than try to attach the documents, just email Jimmy if you are interested and he will send the forms.
Joe: I enjoyed seeing you at the Sertoma Club and I appreciate your efforts over the years to make a change in Columbia City government, I own my deceased mother's home and was raised in the city, but live in West Columbia. I have supported your efforts for change and wish I could have voted for you. Keep up the efforts for change, we sure need it.
Any help you can provide to help us increase our vehicle donations is greatly appreciated. When you send these atachments out on your news letter, please ask everyone to forward them to their email contacts and to tell their friends at work or church about our program, which assists the "working poor".
Thanking you in advance and God Bless.
Jimmy Brazelle, Director
Community Auto Repository
The Cooperative Ministry
3821 West Beltline Blvd.
Columbia, SC 29204
799-3853 ext 511
Cell - 269-4394
Enough for tonight. I hope to see all of you Saturday at the Sertoma Tailgate party. Details in the following newsletter.
Joseph
Spam, Spoofing
It appears no one else is getting spammed with my address except me. But I received this from a reader: I get spammed by myself all the time. I’ve even sent naked pictures to myself. LOL
Having dealt with email for so long, I’m jaded and trust nothing, even familiar addresses, if the subject isn’t specific. Unfortunately, I have friends who persist in putting nothing on the subject line or something non-descript like “This will make you laugh!” No it won’t cuz I won’t open it. ; )
Well, at least mine get opened, so that is a plus. But this is probably one way that it happens, according to one reader:
Joe:
This kind fo spoofing means someone on the list has a trojan horse program that is grabbing all the email addresses from their contacts and sending them to the spammer to use as part of their spoofing.
So everyone should be using good anti-virus software and updating daily and scanning. I use a free program from AVG and have not had a virus since, and that is at least 3 years. Try it: http://free.avg.com/. Thanks to everyone for the feedback.
We get used!
In a good way. The news media often picks up stories from here. Jack Keunzie told me at the fair that he “stole” something from my newsletter. He had just done a story based on what you had sent. So your comments do make the news and affect our community. Here is jack’s article, basically pointing out that any rules and guidelines enacted in Columbia are often violated, quite quickly and quite frequently.
Joe: It appears the streaming video of this story is no longer available. This is more or less what the script said.
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?s=9178479
Jack Kuenzie
Senior Reporter
WIS TV
1111 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
803-758-1265
803-758-1278 (fax)
jkuenzie@wistv.com
Thanks Jack! And keep up the good work.
Myco-Diesel and Mold
Joe,
I know you said that with tongue firmly planted in cheek, but some of those molds that can grow in a dorm room really can kill. Usually from an unhindered buildup in the pulmonary tree or the lungs directly.
I know you're just cryin' that Certainly Sh---- is having to close stores. Tweeter is gone, too, I saw in the paper the other day. Tweeter's pricing was ridiculous, BTW. They seemed to think a lot about themselves; pity few others did!
Take care and let's do lunch sometime!
Sure, but lunch without the mold. I have been told by a pigeon expert that pigeon poop that has been left to pile up for many months or a year can be quite dangerous, and not to stir it up and breathe it. Wear a mask/filter when shoveling it and carefully shovel it. Yes, the flesh eating bacteria is found quite often in places where we are, not just in some strange, out of the way place.
Circuit City just declared bankruptcy and reorganization today. It does not bode well for the consumer. Best Buy will take advantage of that and not only increase prices, but cause some manufacturers to go out of business. That is not good either. We will lose competition that creates new technology and lose the forces that drive down prices. I suggest you buy from CC before you go to the other big boxes as we need to keep the competition in the market place.
I know it sounds crazy for me to tell you to go see a competitor, but the loss will hurt me as well, as I expect manufacturers of good product but small stature to fail, having lost outlets in the independent section (ones like Upstairs Audio & Video), and now Tweeter and CC. I have never has a problem with competing on price with any of these stores as they have been the same, or more than us. Their overhead is astronomical, making it impossible to compete on all items with us. Sure, they may have some less, but usually the good products are higher. We often say, “They look like discount stores but their price tags give them away!”. What we do know is that their labor rates are higher than ours, we surprised me no end, as their installers do not have the skills and experience we have. Nor do the sales personnel, judging by the calls we get from people who have purchased at these big stores and then call us for help on how to use what they bought.
I just wish there were more small specialty stores with experts that love what they do. Without those, where do we go for knowledge, and where do specialty manufacturers go to sell advanced product?
Property Tax
Politicians should be good stewards and excellent agents of budgeting.
They should plan for the bad times with reserves that can carry
through until good times.
Joseph, this is a true statement; however, a politician's only mission in life is to get re-elected so they must spend the money on their constituents so they will be re-elected. Such an Catch 22 and so counter productive. Otherwise, my only counter to your property tax theory is that property tax is tax deductible where sales tax is not (for the most part) so I personally always vote to not raise sales tax to reduce property taxes. Also, with USA of A consumer spending down, a sales tax increase may be an additional deterrent to our recovery.
…………
I have always and will always believe that property taxes are wrong.
Period. In essence it means that one never really owns one's property.
The govt has a prior lien.
…………
Hi Joe:
This will be quick because I have to go vote...(why didn't I do it absentee????)..
You make a lot of good points... but one thing I would point out (and I am a big 3-legged stool (3-stooges?) proponents..
remember that property taxes represent only a fraction of the revenues that fund local govt. in SC.
For example, if you look at Richland Co. (had the data handy) the % of the total Gen Fund budget that comes from property taxes (all classes, residential, rental, commercial, industrial, etc) are $72.3 mil in FY 08-09. Total GF is $137.4 mil ... Property taxes only represent about 53% of the total budget. This of course varies by county. Muncipalities are even less dependent on property taxes ... I think the avg statewide is in the 35-40% range (I'm not looking at the data this minute) but you could check with the munic assoc and confirm.
We may not want some expenditures to have to vary so widely as the economy might swing and taxes based on income or sales might follow... for example, do we cut k-12 public educ when the economy slows... (I think we may see that happen due to Act 388.... )
So... it doesn't negate anything you were saying... but it adds another dimension or at least a little complicating factor.
Keep up the good work
jsa-If anyone would like the economic data I was sent, let me know and I will forward a copy. If I can find it on the web, I will post the link.
…………
Joe,
While a lot of what you write ( rant?
1) The tax sale was moved because of the election and the massive crowds at the Hampton Street county complex. And lack of parking. The tax sale alternates the first part of November and the first part of December. Because the mandate was handed down by the State to sell mobile homes last year in the sale at almost the last minute, the November sale was moved to December, thereby throwing off the election year dates ( election years the sale ended up in December usually, so no conflict.). This years sale should by rights been in December to get back on schedule. Also, because of the volume of properties in the sale ( with the newly included mobile homes making the listing pages longer), there is no guarantee the sale would be over by the time County Council needed it's chambers by Tuesday night.
2) I agree that property tax is archaic . However to say that someone who has no income will loose their house........while true,if someone has no income, they will loose a lot more than their house. And, if you have a house, then you have an asset to sell, mortgage,reverse-mortgage to create the income you need. You need utilities/food/basics too if you have no income.......
3) While there are many owner occupied houses in the sale, there are also MANY stadium parking spaces...(!).....I'm sorry, but if you can afford to buy a parking space for many thousands of dollars, you ought to be able to afford the $250-$300 in taxes.
4) While I'm on my soapbox: I get totally ticked off at the 4%-6% tax rate for owner occupied vs. 2nd home/investment property. I am being ( economically) forced to move into another county for my principle residence because of the enormous difference in taxes.....just over $10,000 as a 2nd home, just over $2000 as principle. As an investor, I understand ( sort of) the reasoning behind "business" properties being assessed more. But I think that residential property should ALL be taxed the same.......renters pay their property tax through their rent. I can promise you that landlords pass on the increased costs for taxes/insurance/utilities in the increased rents. So...the people who can LEAST afford it pay the MOST in taxes indirectly. If agricultural land designation ( and lower taxes) has a minimum of 10 acres to apply, why can't all residential properties be assessed at 4% up to, say 10 units. That keeps the corporate apartment complexes at the "business" rate, and the smaller investor/ Mom and Pop landlords more reasonable?
As usual, thanks for letting me rant. I'm late for the tax sale............
…………
Joe:
You should submit this as an editorial to the newspapers. Excellent article!
jsa-OK, thanks, but I doubt they print it. However, I will send now. (Done.)
And Help Someone
Hi, Joe: I'm looking to a bicycle. It's for a "special" friend of mine who never misses an opportunity to grin and say, "You having a good day today, Miss Becky?" Living a pretty meager life, Randy does odd jobs around town, most recently at the El Cheapo's on Elmwood and Bull. He gets to work from his River Drive apartment on a bicycle--that is until last week when somebody pedaled away on it while Randy wasn't looking. He's saving up for another one, he says, and promises to lock it up on the inside from now own. It's got a bad chain and a flat tire, but the guy selling it to him says it won't take much to fix it.
You think someone out there might have a used three-speed we could share with Randy? He's about 5'10" and pretty wiry. And, he'll make your day--your week--with the toothy "thank you" you're gonna get!
Thanks for your help!
Becky Bailey
The New Survey
803-454-0088 (office)
803-338-9738 (mobile)
803-691-1187 (FAX)
………….
jsa-OK, I am late on this, but November is another month of need.
My mom sent me this message... she and my father are very involved with the Family Shelter. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Also please pass this on to anyone you think may help. Every little bit counts!
Thanks!
Shelburne
Dear Friends and Family,
Julian is on the board of the Family Shelter and I have been involved through our church work with them. We know first-hand of the great need and good works of this shelter. You all know that we are not your typical fund-raisers and are sending this only because of a heart-felt need to help.
The Family Shelter is a private, non-profit organization that provides emergency transitional services for families with children who have been made destitute by crisis. It is the ONLY agency in the midlands that provides these services for families (dads and/or moms, and they must have children). The shelter provides secure, structured emergency housing and assists them in transitioning to permanent housing and a more stable life-style.
Right now the Family Shelter is in the midst of a financial crisis. We have a new director (Jon Artz) who is doing an excellent job. We are working with United Way consultants to cut expenses and develop a solid long-range plan to achieve financial stability.
For the moment, however, the shelter is in dire need of help to meet operational expenses for the month of October. If you are able to make a donation of any amount (tax-deductible), please mail your check to:
The Family Shelter
2411 Two Notch Road
Columbia, SC 29204
If you know of a business or professional group that may be interested in contributing, please pass this on to them, or have them call Jon Artz at the Shelter (771-7040) or one of us (695-6140). Questions can be addressed through either of these numbers as well.
Please pass this on to anyone who may be interested. If you know of anyone we can call or visit that may be in a position to help, please let us know. We're new to the fund-raising game.
Thanks for taking the time to read this and for any help you can give,
Cynthia and Julian Dew
………….
jsa-I have donated a big Cadillac and a van to this program. So you can do the same and get a good tax deduction. Rather than try to attach the documents, just email Jimmy if you are interested and he will send the forms.
Joe: I enjoyed seeing you at the Sertoma Club and I appreciate your efforts over the years to make a change in Columbia City government, I own my deceased mother's home and was raised in the city, but live in West Columbia. I have supported your efforts for change and wish I could have voted for you. Keep up the efforts for change, we sure need it.
Any help you can provide to help us increase our vehicle donations is greatly appreciated. When you send these atachments out on your news letter, please ask everyone to forward them to their email contacts and to tell their friends at work or church about our program, which assists the "working poor".
Thanking you in advance and God Bless.
Jimmy Brazelle, Director
Community Auto Repository
The Cooperative Ministry
3821 West Beltline Blvd.
Columbia, SC 29204
799-3853 ext 511
Cell - 269-4394
Enough for tonight. I hope to see all of you Saturday at the Sertoma Tailgate party. Details in the following newsletter.
Joseph
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Tweeter Shuts Down (11-5-08)
Though no one wants competition in business, competition keeps prices down and quality up. So it is sad to see competitors fold. Tweeter looks to be no more after December 31. Circuit City is closing over 140 stores to try to stay financially solvent. The loss of these two hurts all of us as it eliminates other outlets for manufacturers, and may ultimately eliminate some manufacturers. It will also leave Best Buy as the only national full line electronic retailer, and that means a very real possibility of increased prices on their part, poorer customer service, and a very large club they can use on manufacturers to get what they want, while eliminating uncooperative manufacturers from their stores, providing fewer customer choices and less technological innovation from manufacturers with fewer manufacturers to compete in the market place.
For Upstairs Audio & Video, it is not a problem as the big box stores can never compete when it comes to mid and high end product. They can always beat us on those cheap items such as the cheap LCD sets from China, the $499 complete surround systems, and all the other products that they can buy rail car loads of from the orient, including stuff they label with their own brand. But when it comes to the better name brand equipment, they usually are the same as us, or higher. It may seem odd until you understand two things. First, they do not purchase mid and high end product at much less than we do. Typically they get 5 to maybe 10% off. They may also get some extras such as kickbacks for meeting certain sales levels, advertising money, free product, and other types of incentive programs. (Ever wonder why the sales people at some big stores insist on certain products, especially warranties? They get kickbacks-spiffs-too.) The second point is their overhead is high, very high. I would guess 10-12 times ours. With the locations they occupy, utility bills, advertising costs, layers of personnel, attorneys for lawsuits, theft, trucks, IT department, advertising department and all the other they must deal with, it is very easy to see how their overhead is far greater than ours. Which means their prices must be higher, wages low, and time spent with a customer on sales limited. It also means longer wait times for telephone information and service.
Unfortunately, the public does not see this and is easily mislead by slick advertising that appears to be low prices. Yet specialists such as Mann Tools and Hiller Hardware have similar prices, but far more knowledgeable personnel and service. They often have better selection and allow the purchase of one screw or one drill bit, rather than having to buy a package of 12 screws just to get one. Same applies to Upstairs Audio & Video and other specialists like us, who are unfortunately rapidly disappearing.
The loss of small businesses and specialists concerns me and should you too. Who do you turn to when you need advice and service? Where do the innovative manufacturers go to find people who can explain and sell their product? With the shrinking base of specialist retailers, there is a homogenizing of product, along with a frustration among consumers who cannot get product to work correctly.
It is a shame, but unless we do a better job of selecting good people to support, there will not be many good people left to support us. We reap what we sow.
Tweeter Files Shutdown Notice
By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 11/4/2008 8:15:00 AM
Canton, Mass. — Tweeter has notified a Massachusetts state agency that it is closing its headquarters here by Dec. 31 as part of a “permanent entire company closing.”
According to a report by the Associated Press, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development received the notification by letter on Monday.
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by TWICE, was sent by Tweeter's human resources VP R. Michael Rudman, and indicated that affected employees had also been notified of the shutdown.
The chain was sold to liquidators last Thursday, which the Boston Globe has identified as Hudson Capital Partners and Tiger Capital.
For Upstairs Audio & Video, it is not a problem as the big box stores can never compete when it comes to mid and high end product. They can always beat us on those cheap items such as the cheap LCD sets from China, the $499 complete surround systems, and all the other products that they can buy rail car loads of from the orient, including stuff they label with their own brand. But when it comes to the better name brand equipment, they usually are the same as us, or higher. It may seem odd until you understand two things. First, they do not purchase mid and high end product at much less than we do. Typically they get 5 to maybe 10% off. They may also get some extras such as kickbacks for meeting certain sales levels, advertising money, free product, and other types of incentive programs. (Ever wonder why the sales people at some big stores insist on certain products, especially warranties? They get kickbacks-spiffs-too.) The second point is their overhead is high, very high. I would guess 10-12 times ours. With the locations they occupy, utility bills, advertising costs, layers of personnel, attorneys for lawsuits, theft, trucks, IT department, advertising department and all the other they must deal with, it is very easy to see how their overhead is far greater than ours. Which means their prices must be higher, wages low, and time spent with a customer on sales limited. It also means longer wait times for telephone information and service.
Unfortunately, the public does not see this and is easily mislead by slick advertising that appears to be low prices. Yet specialists such as Mann Tools and Hiller Hardware have similar prices, but far more knowledgeable personnel and service. They often have better selection and allow the purchase of one screw or one drill bit, rather than having to buy a package of 12 screws just to get one. Same applies to Upstairs Audio & Video and other specialists like us, who are unfortunately rapidly disappearing.
The loss of small businesses and specialists concerns me and should you too. Who do you turn to when you need advice and service? Where do the innovative manufacturers go to find people who can explain and sell their product? With the shrinking base of specialist retailers, there is a homogenizing of product, along with a frustration among consumers who cannot get product to work correctly.
It is a shame, but unless we do a better job of selecting good people to support, there will not be many good people left to support us. We reap what we sow.
Tweeter Files Shutdown Notice
By Alan Wolf -- TWICE, 11/4/2008 8:15:00 AM
Canton, Mass. — Tweeter has notified a Massachusetts state agency that it is closing its headquarters here by Dec. 31 as part of a “permanent entire company closing.”
According to a report by the Associated Press, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development received the notification by letter on Monday.
The letter, a copy of which was obtained by TWICE, was sent by Tweeter's human resources VP R. Michael Rudman, and indicated that affected employees had also been notified of the shutdown.
The chain was sold to liquidators last Thursday, which the Boston Globe has identified as Hudson Capital Partners and Tiger Capital.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Property Tax (11-4-08)
Surprisingly, no one commented on the extraordinary number of properties at tax sale Nov. 3 & 4. There are so many that it not only takes 2 days, but was moved to the Township Auditorium.The Oct. 23 State had page 9 to page 22 full of listings, over 4000, the most I have seen. I am curious as to how many owner occupied houses are in this sale. Though a quick look at the list shows many properties with one owner, there are also quite a few single properties with a single owner.
Property tax is a cruel and punishing tax to citizens, especially those that own a home and face economic troubles. No matter what, that tax must be paid. There is no way out if the property is to be kept. Doesn't matter if you have income or not, sick or not, disabled or not, elderly or not, it must be paid. No income? No problem, you lose your house. No savings? No problem, you lose your house. With income tax, you pay as you make. With sales tax, you pay as you can afford. With property tax, you pay. You pay with money that has already been taxed before, something called income.
There are those that promote the 3 legged stool approach to property tax: sales tax, income tax, property tax. These proponents say that when one tax is down, at least there are the other 2 that make up. They will tell you that property tax is the most stable, allowing government economic stability regardless of the economy. Yet that is the problem, and the proponents just don't get it. When citizens are down economically, government should be down. But with property tax, it is not. It still takes in the same, or possibly more with reassessment or millage increase, truly punishing the citizens when they already have less to spend.
Property tax is an antiquated tax from 2 centuries ago. As there were no accurate ways to truly determine a persons income in the 1700 and 1800's, the most accurate method of wealth was real property: land and buildings. Now we can determine income so the need for property tax is unnecessary. We also have sales taxes, so why keep property tax? Maybe because it is still a "bail out" tax for politicians that are not good stewards of taxpayers' money. Or as supporters like to say, it is the most stable of the taxes.
Yes, stability, that is the problem. You can fund airlines, and lose millions. You can buy trolleys, and lose millions. You can buy river front property, and lose millions. You can redo a downtown 4 or more times in 20 years, and lose millions, along with the businesses that fold because of construction. You can fail to balance your books, fail to account for employee insurance costs, employee retirement costs, and so many other items, and lose millions. Yet, as a politician, you always have that ultra stable property tax to fall back on, a great bail out for all those mistakes you made. In other words, the word budgeting never needs be a part of your vocabulary. It is my belief that budgets should include allowances for depreciation and decay of physical facilities in a realistic and economically responsible way. If machinery is purchased for water purification, and it is known to last 50 years, then not only should money be marked for ongoing maintenance, but also for replacement in the amount of 2% per year. In other words, there is always a growing reserve fund locked in only for the intended purpose, nothing else. To rob a well allotted account is to force the budget into the red sooner or later, as the tendency of politicians is not just robbing one account, but all.
If politicians did not have a "stable" source of funding, they would be forced into effective and intelligent budgeting, or oversee their own bankruptcy. Even with this "stable" source, we are seeing cities that are in bankruptcy, so it is easily possible to spend past the stable, bail out tax, meaning any argument for the stabilizing effects of property tax is moot.
Politicians should be good stewards and excellent agents of budgeting. They should plan for the bad times with reserves that can carry through until good times. They need to face the same economic highs and lows that the people they represent do. To not to means not only a great punishment of the people by the politicians, but too easy a way for politicians to lose sight of responsibilities and elected obligations, creating a laziness and great potential for a political economic crisis, as we are seeing in our city and state now.
Contrary to the pundits, everyone pays property tax in some way, and it, not sales tax, is absolutely the most punishing tax of all.
Just ask someone on the tax sale list that lost their home.
Property tax is a cruel and punishing tax to citizens, especially those that own a home and face economic troubles. No matter what, that tax must be paid. There is no way out if the property is to be kept. Doesn't matter if you have income or not, sick or not, disabled or not, elderly or not, it must be paid. No income? No problem, you lose your house. No savings? No problem, you lose your house. With income tax, you pay as you make. With sales tax, you pay as you can afford. With property tax, you pay. You pay with money that has already been taxed before, something called income.
There are those that promote the 3 legged stool approach to property tax: sales tax, income tax, property tax. These proponents say that when one tax is down, at least there are the other 2 that make up. They will tell you that property tax is the most stable, allowing government economic stability regardless of the economy. Yet that is the problem, and the proponents just don't get it. When citizens are down economically, government should be down. But with property tax, it is not. It still takes in the same, or possibly more with reassessment or millage increase, truly punishing the citizens when they already have less to spend.
Property tax is an antiquated tax from 2 centuries ago. As there were no accurate ways to truly determine a persons income in the 1700 and 1800's, the most accurate method of wealth was real property: land and buildings. Now we can determine income so the need for property tax is unnecessary. We also have sales taxes, so why keep property tax? Maybe because it is still a "bail out" tax for politicians that are not good stewards of taxpayers' money. Or as supporters like to say, it is the most stable of the taxes.
Yes, stability, that is the problem. You can fund airlines, and lose millions. You can buy trolleys, and lose millions. You can buy river front property, and lose millions. You can redo a downtown 4 or more times in 20 years, and lose millions, along with the businesses that fold because of construction. You can fail to balance your books, fail to account for employee insurance costs, employee retirement costs, and so many other items, and lose millions. Yet, as a politician, you always have that ultra stable property tax to fall back on, a great bail out for all those mistakes you made. In other words, the word budgeting never needs be a part of your vocabulary. It is my belief that budgets should include allowances for depreciation and decay of physical facilities in a realistic and economically responsible way. If machinery is purchased for water purification, and it is known to last 50 years, then not only should money be marked for ongoing maintenance, but also for replacement in the amount of 2% per year. In other words, there is always a growing reserve fund locked in only for the intended purpose, nothing else. To rob a well allotted account is to force the budget into the red sooner or later, as the tendency of politicians is not just robbing one account, but all.
If politicians did not have a "stable" source of funding, they would be forced into effective and intelligent budgeting, or oversee their own bankruptcy. Even with this "stable" source, we are seeing cities that are in bankruptcy, so it is easily possible to spend past the stable, bail out tax, meaning any argument for the stabilizing effects of property tax is moot.
Politicians should be good stewards and excellent agents of budgeting. They should plan for the bad times with reserves that can carry through until good times. They need to face the same economic highs and lows that the people they represent do. To not to means not only a great punishment of the people by the politicians, but too easy a way for politicians to lose sight of responsibilities and elected obligations, creating a laziness and great potential for a political economic crisis, as we are seeing in our city and state now.
Contrary to the pundits, everyone pays property tax in some way, and it, not sales tax, is absolutely the most punishing tax of all.
Just ask someone on the tax sale list that lost their home.
Monday, November 3, 2008
The Azar Newsletter How many does it take to.......Part 3 (11-3-08)
Part 3 was to discuss privileges, rights, responsibilities and opportunities, but so many have given me so much feedback that I am going to write out of planned order, and instead, reveal the places I not only find much better to place a homeless shelter today, but also allow for future improvement of services via physical expansion, and help to generate a percentage of the operating revenue. Maybe now, those of you I meet on the street, we can discuss how to solve (or at least reduce) the problems rather than where the facility should locate, which has been a hot issue that has gotten my ears talked off! Let me take a moment to thank Dan Cook of the Free Times for his journalistic integrity. He has included my articles in the paper, the second of which he edited, but stated so and listed the link to the full article. Though he and I may disagree on some points of this issue, he is willing to allow debate and opposing points in his paper without censorship. Dan, thank you on behalf of all that read the Free Times. It is nice to see such unprejudiced journalistic integrity and reassures all readers of the desire on the part of the Free Times to inform us fairly regardless of editorial opinion.
Originally I suggested the river area that has been a blighted industrial area for years, for a comprehensive homeless center, based on ideas I had from Rick Baty’s excellent suggestions and far reaching vision. But what was good 12 years ago is not necessarily good today, especially as the Canalside developers were told directly, and assured, that the homeless shelter on the river was temporary and would be gone in 2 years. This was stated by council members in the living room of one of the leaders of the homeless movement, as I was told by that leader. Here again we have a case of a city council and mayor that cannot be trusted as to their word. This not only chills, but stops investment and development in our city. I have heard this for years from developers that will not do any within Columbia city limits, rather take their projects to other cities.
With Canalside, the increased development of Elmwood, Main and north Marion Sts., the strong attempts at improving Main St. both downtown and north of Elmwood, and the potential residential/mixed use redevelopment of the former state mental health facility, other areas offer a better opportunity for homeless service without the conflicts. One such area is the Beltline area where abandoned car dealership facilities are, along with Cooperative Ministries, a facility that serves those in need. It is also near the old Midlands Shopping center, another location of agencies that provide support to the needy. With large buildings on large tracts available at probably fire sale prices today, close to helping agencies, and close to all the other state and local agencies in town, why would not this area work? The sale price of the Main/Elmwood properties should be able to buy much Beltline land, rehab the facilities, and provide some operational funding. The Main/Elmwood facilities require rehab anyhow, so use that money on Beltline.
This area appealed to some, and some have expressed reservation, so let me present 4 more. First is 94 acres that is presently for sale just past the Wal-Mart off Sumter Highway (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=33.948077,-80.916431&spn=0.012727,0.019312&z=16) on Old Garner’s Ferry about 2 blocks down. Notice the sparse population around the area (use the Google satellite view). It is close enough to town, yet far enough from heavy population. Across the street is a church, with very little else close. Go a little farther down and there is a lake (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=33.946595,-80.92113&spn=0.025455,0.038624&z=15&msid=112881840360438175137.00045ac01730ad04ba953 ) that once had a country club on it, but no longer. It was for sale at one point, though I am not sure it still is. But it is rough and appears uncared and unused for quite a while. Again, away from population centers, but with the added benefit of a lake for fishing and an irrigation source for agriculture.
Two more are in the Bluff Rd. area, not far from the others. One is the property that Richland County purchased for the now aborted new state farmers market, near Bluff and I-77. We own it, it is over 100 acres, why not use it? The other is a little farther down Bluff Rd. by Big Lake and John Mark Dial Dr., the Richland County Detention Center site (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=33.929901,-80.960827&spn=0.050919,0.077248&z=14&msid=112881840360438175137.00045ac01730ad04ba953). Again, away from population centers and in a sparsely populated area. I doubt that it is a desirable area for new housing and probably has available land for sale at reasonable cost. Adding lake access only enhances what can be accomplished.
Why are these areas better? They are away from most population and in areas that will create far fewer problems. But better than that, they are areas that are large, so they can grow with needs and homeless population growth, which will happen when we build it (they will come-more on that in a future issue). They provide fertile ground for agriculture so that fruits, vegetables, and flowers can be grown for use and sale, reducing the cost of shelter operations. Live stock could also be raised. Farm and gardening skills can be taught, along with landscaping and machinery operation. Day and night shelters can be built, and expanded without future land costs and zoning restrictions. Shower facilities, a laundry, a mail stop, telephones and computers for communication and job search, and just a place to hang out, all can be provided in one place for assistance, rather than our fountains that are now used for bathing and washing clothes, our library and other public facilities that are used for day shelters, and various inappropriate places that are now used as toilet facilities, my place sometimes being one of them. A comprehensive services building can be built for helping agencies to collocate satellite offices for daily and weekly service. This would provide the added benefit of agency workers being not only onsite to see the actual needs of those they serve in real life situations, but also to put these various agency workers in face to face contact, rather than via telephone, mail and email. This should serve to greatly increase communication and efficiency of service to the needy and across agency lines.
For the future, near and far, facilities for job training can be built, and classroom sessions can be held. Computer skills, which are so necessary today, can be taught. Literacy classes can be held. A demo house can be built to teach all the homebuilding skills needed, such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, masonry, insulation, grading and foundation, along with remodeling skills, which are different from new construction. Heavy equipment operation, restoration, food prep, hospitality, plant maintenance, the list of training is long. There is even a potential connection with Habitat for Humanity. Wall assemblies and roof trusses could be built there and transported to Habitat sites, with savings to Habitat and skills developed by those who want to learn. On site renovation work could be done with Homeworks of America. The possibilities are endless and extremely exciting!
For this, expandable facilities and land are needed, and these areas fit the requirements. Plus they are large enough to have recreational areas. Fitness is part of good health, and sports are a fun, enticing way to fitness and good mental health as well.
But our city cannot carry this burden alone. It must be a cooperative effort with Columbia, Richland County, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, plus all the other cities around us that have a homeless situation but no means to care. Churches, hospitals, businesses and individuals, along with the state government all should participate. If not, we are doomed to an inefficient and ineffectual homeless center that will always be on the edge of shrinking or folding due to lack of funding, much as has happened with the Salvation Army downtown.
It can be done. Those in need can take daily scheduled shuttles to the facility and back, just like the proposed shuttles to the Main St. facility. (FYI, the proposed Main St. facility will only allow bused in patrons, not walk up.) It can work. We have to develop the cooperation and will. And we must have incentives, opportunities, responsibilities and laws that encourage success.
It is time in Columbia we solve the problems, not the symptoms.
In the next issue, I will discuss more of the problems, the who and where and why, along with opportunities, incentives and responsibilities. Better yet, I would love to devote the next issue to your comments, ideas and solutions. I will say that so far, the great majority of Columbia residents feel that a facility should not be on Main St. or near heavily populated areas.
Thanks for reading, and even more so for your participation and comments.
Joseph Azar
Originally I suggested the river area that has been a blighted industrial area for years, for a comprehensive homeless center, based on ideas I had from Rick Baty’s excellent suggestions and far reaching vision. But what was good 12 years ago is not necessarily good today, especially as the Canalside developers were told directly, and assured, that the homeless shelter on the river was temporary and would be gone in 2 years. This was stated by council members in the living room of one of the leaders of the homeless movement, as I was told by that leader. Here again we have a case of a city council and mayor that cannot be trusted as to their word. This not only chills, but stops investment and development in our city. I have heard this for years from developers that will not do any within Columbia city limits, rather take their projects to other cities.
With Canalside, the increased development of Elmwood, Main and north Marion Sts., the strong attempts at improving Main St. both downtown and north of Elmwood, and the potential residential/mixed use redevelopment of the former state mental health facility, other areas offer a better opportunity for homeless service without the conflicts. One such area is the Beltline area where abandoned car dealership facilities are, along with Cooperative Ministries, a facility that serves those in need. It is also near the old Midlands Shopping center, another location of agencies that provide support to the needy. With large buildings on large tracts available at probably fire sale prices today, close to helping agencies, and close to all the other state and local agencies in town, why would not this area work? The sale price of the Main/Elmwood properties should be able to buy much Beltline land, rehab the facilities, and provide some operational funding. The Main/Elmwood facilities require rehab anyhow, so use that money on Beltline.
This area appealed to some, and some have expressed reservation, so let me present 4 more. First is 94 acres that is presently for sale just past the Wal-Mart off Sumter Highway (http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=33.948077,-80.916431&spn=0.012727,0.019312&z=16) on Old Garner’s Ferry about 2 blocks down. Notice the sparse population around the area (use the Google satellite view). It is close enough to town, yet far enough from heavy population. Across the street is a church, with very little else close. Go a little farther down and there is a lake (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=33.946595,-80.92113&spn=0.025455,0.038624&z=15&msid=112881840360438175137.00045ac01730ad04ba953 ) that once had a country club on it, but no longer. It was for sale at one point, though I am not sure it still is. But it is rough and appears uncared and unused for quite a while. Again, away from population centers, but with the added benefit of a lake for fishing and an irrigation source for agriculture.
Two more are in the Bluff Rd. area, not far from the others. One is the property that Richland County purchased for the now aborted new state farmers market, near Bluff and I-77. We own it, it is over 100 acres, why not use it? The other is a little farther down Bluff Rd. by Big Lake and John Mark Dial Dr., the Richland County Detention Center site (http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=33.929901,-80.960827&spn=0.050919,0.077248&z=14&msid=112881840360438175137.00045ac01730ad04ba953). Again, away from population centers and in a sparsely populated area. I doubt that it is a desirable area for new housing and probably has available land for sale at reasonable cost. Adding lake access only enhances what can be accomplished.
Why are these areas better? They are away from most population and in areas that will create far fewer problems. But better than that, they are areas that are large, so they can grow with needs and homeless population growth, which will happen when we build it (they will come-more on that in a future issue). They provide fertile ground for agriculture so that fruits, vegetables, and flowers can be grown for use and sale, reducing the cost of shelter operations. Live stock could also be raised. Farm and gardening skills can be taught, along with landscaping and machinery operation. Day and night shelters can be built, and expanded without future land costs and zoning restrictions. Shower facilities, a laundry, a mail stop, telephones and computers for communication and job search, and just a place to hang out, all can be provided in one place for assistance, rather than our fountains that are now used for bathing and washing clothes, our library and other public facilities that are used for day shelters, and various inappropriate places that are now used as toilet facilities, my place sometimes being one of them. A comprehensive services building can be built for helping agencies to collocate satellite offices for daily and weekly service. This would provide the added benefit of agency workers being not only onsite to see the actual needs of those they serve in real life situations, but also to put these various agency workers in face to face contact, rather than via telephone, mail and email. This should serve to greatly increase communication and efficiency of service to the needy and across agency lines.
For the future, near and far, facilities for job training can be built, and classroom sessions can be held. Computer skills, which are so necessary today, can be taught. Literacy classes can be held. A demo house can be built to teach all the homebuilding skills needed, such as plumbing, carpentry, electrical, masonry, insulation, grading and foundation, along with remodeling skills, which are different from new construction. Heavy equipment operation, restoration, food prep, hospitality, plant maintenance, the list of training is long. There is even a potential connection with Habitat for Humanity. Wall assemblies and roof trusses could be built there and transported to Habitat sites, with savings to Habitat and skills developed by those who want to learn. On site renovation work could be done with Homeworks of America. The possibilities are endless and extremely exciting!
For this, expandable facilities and land are needed, and these areas fit the requirements. Plus they are large enough to have recreational areas. Fitness is part of good health, and sports are a fun, enticing way to fitness and good mental health as well.
But our city cannot carry this burden alone. It must be a cooperative effort with Columbia, Richland County, Lexington, Kershaw, Fairfield, plus all the other cities around us that have a homeless situation but no means to care. Churches, hospitals, businesses and individuals, along with the state government all should participate. If not, we are doomed to an inefficient and ineffectual homeless center that will always be on the edge of shrinking or folding due to lack of funding, much as has happened with the Salvation Army downtown.
It can be done. Those in need can take daily scheduled shuttles to the facility and back, just like the proposed shuttles to the Main St. facility. (FYI, the proposed Main St. facility will only allow bused in patrons, not walk up.) It can work. We have to develop the cooperation and will. And we must have incentives, opportunities, responsibilities and laws that encourage success.
It is time in Columbia we solve the problems, not the symptoms.
In the next issue, I will discuss more of the problems, the who and where and why, along with opportunities, incentives and responsibilities. Better yet, I would love to devote the next issue to your comments, ideas and solutions. I will say that so far, the great majority of Columbia residents feel that a facility should not be on Main St. or near heavily populated areas.
Thanks for reading, and even more so for your participation and comments.
Joseph Azar
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