Forest Park - "Dances With The Stars"

On Thursday, December 18th, seven students were recognized as graduates of Forest Park Academy at the Hotel Roanoke. Among them was Charneice Davis, 18, who just passed the Algebra SOL test and will graduate as the first semester ends in January. This was only a few weeks after her older brother, Chaz, passed the same test to become the first Forest Park Academy graduate. Chaz gave Charneice the inspiration to give it a shot too. Chaz and Charneice were forced to drop out of school to find work after their mother died 10 years ago. Charneice was sure she could not pass the Algebra SOL with only a week’s preparation. Staff worked with Charneice late into the evenings and now she is on track to complete all requirements for graduation in January.

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Lissy Merenda instructed the students in social and workplace skills. The students are now "well rounded individuals," said Merenda. Donna Dilley’s dance class paid off as the students demonstrated the merengue on the hotel dance floor.

Student, Terrance Meade, 17, will graduate in June and plans to go to University of North Carolina to become a computer engineer. His lofty goal is to invent his very own computer that he will name (with a little humility) the "Meade Computer" - just like "Apple Computer," said Meade.

Asha Wright, 17, will also graduate in June and plans to first go to Virginia Western Community College then transfer to King College in Tennessee. She get’s excellent grades but would have been a few credits short of graduating in June if it were not for the accelerated course work at the Academy. Asha, "just loves babies," and plans to be a neonatal nurse.

Walmart Marketing Manager, Mark Young, and Aaron Robins, Manager of the 220 Walmart Store, presented Principal Eric Anderson, School Administrator Rita Bishop, and School Board Chairman David Carson with a check for $25,000. Young said that this check is to, "make it [Academy] even bigger and better." Bishop said to the students, "this [Walmart] is your community believing in you … an investment in you."

School Board member, Todd Putney, said that "people that don’t interact with these students don’t know how great these kids are … they just don’t get it." People have a tendency to "stay at arms-length" but these students have a story behind their faces as well as a high level of motivation. Putney explained that one missed opportunity for these children to become productive citizens not only effects the rest of their lives but impacts the community as a whole.

"Poison Ivy" at Forest Park Academy

"At night when you're sleeping poison ivy comes a creeping around." No, there were no students twitchin’ and itchin’ in Forest Park Academy’s gym Friday but 14 students danced to tunes like the song "Poison Ivy" originally recorded by The Coasters in 1959.

The Forest Park Academy gym is where Donna Dilley teaches what started out as a "ballroom dance" class but evolved into other dances like the cha-cha and some good ol‘ rock and role moves. In addition to dance classes, Dilley conducts etiquette training programs for young people through the National League of Junior Cotillions. These programs help High School students build self-esteem, confidence and character.

"Dr. Bishop wanted to build social capital in all activities," said Principal Eric Anderson. Anderson admitted that his own experience failing the traditional waltz test at a wedding sold him on the need for the dance class.

The same students have taken the classes since they started in November. Eighteen students or nine couples in total. "If they do their work all week then they can go to dance class," said Anderson.

The excitement during the 2:00 to 3:30 PM Friday afternoon dance class was proof of their motivation to "do the work." The students’ next challenge could even be a "Dance with the Stars" competition.

This Friday was the Academy’s "highest attendance day ever," said Principal Anderson. He admitted that the first year of Forest Park Academy has been a challenge. Not all students have stuck it out but as Anderson said to students on orientation day, "staff is not babysitters … if you don’t want to be here then this is not the school for you."

Anderson said staff is "learning [the program] as they go." The Outreach Department goes to students’ homes while the Fulfillment Department holds student planning sessions where all career paths are open to them.

Huckabee at Books-A-Million - Video

Thursday evening after two other city stops former Arkansas Governor, Mike Huckabee arrived to a cheering crowd and LONG line. The people waiting in line had multiple copies of Huckabee's book, "Do The Right Thing." He started the day in Charleston, West Virginia, followed by Lynchburg at about 1:00 PM then to Roanoke arriving at 8:00 PM. I went with Mac McCadden a fan of Huckabee's. There was Sheriff Octavia Johnson who got a special treat and good picture with the Huckster. See the Line. Here comments. One comment is sortof strange and funny.

2008 Roanoke Citizen of the Year

A surprise announcement was made by Mayor Bowers this evening at a reception honoring volunteers who serve on Authorities, Boards, Commissions and Committees. In addition to Estelle McCadden being named "Citizen of the Year" she also receive a Key to the City.

Estelle McCadden
2008 Citizen of the Year

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At 82 Estelle is a neighborhood advocate and activist, and currently serves as the President of the Melrose-Rugby Neighborhood Forum, Inc. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Neighborhoods USA (NUSA), a national organization dedicated to developing partnerships between neighborhoods, local government, and public/private agencies across the United States. Her accomplishments are too many to put here. She will be honored at a subsequent Council meeting.

BULL: A Puppet Musical and FiddleFest Lite Videos

Saturday and Sunday at the Dumas Center on Henry Street, the Thistledown puppeteers premiered “Bull - A Puppet Musical.”

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Thistledown Puppets is a family-friendly puppet company dedicated to entertaining and inspiring the child in everyone. These young puppeteers share their love of puppets through funny and memorable characters and engaging stories. They offer puppet design custom puppet building and performances. Below is a snippet from the show.

Below is clip from FiddleFest Lite held at the Taubman Museum on Sunday, November 9th. It featured the Sandy Ridge group and Herschel Sizemore who teaches mandolin.

Provision Added to Countryside Golf Club Operating Agreement

At Monday’s City Council meeting a provision was added to the operating agreement between the City and Meadowbrook Golf Group, Inc. At the October 23rd City Council meeting an Ordinance was adopted to extend Meadowbrook’s operation of Countryside Golf Club for a period of one year. The agreement was effective on November 1, 2008.

The modification was as a result of the Roanoke Regional Airport Commission requesting that the extension include a provision that the Commission can terminate the lease with the City under certain conditions. This would result in the termination of the Operating Agreement between the City and Meadowbrook. The Airport Commission owns a portion of the property containing fairways of the golf course. Now that the City owns the golf course, the City is responsible for negotiating the lease with the Airport Commission. Meadowbrook agreed to this provision with consequences.

The provision reads in part - The parties acknowledge that any financial obligations between the Owner of the Airport Commission relative to the Lease being negotiated between the City and the Airport Commission are the responsibility of the City. The parties further acknowledge that any obligations to alter, modify or improve the property subject to the Lease being negotiated between the City and the Airport Commission are the responsibility of the City. If such Leased property becomes no longer available to the City, the City will make a payment to Meadowbrook. Payment ranges from $20,000 to $170,000 depending on the month of termination. Council unanimously agreed to the provision.

Long Lines at Ruffner Middle School on Election Day - Video

At 6:00 AM the line snaked around the dead end at the Marriott. The first in line arrived at 4:30 AM. Parking was scare as people resorted to Home Depot and Shewels. Rev. Carl Tinsley, Chairman of the Electoral Board opened the door and greeted the first in line. The machines were at times not working properly which held up the voting process. Remarks in line were "if you can file your taxes online then you should be able to vote online." There were 4 lines by alphabet to check in and get your voting slip. They ran out of voting slips quickly and just gave blank white pieces of paper saying "voting slip." Remarks were made that this was not secure as anyone could write on a piece of paper without checking in and vote. The machine if "Presidential" was selected only gave you the option to vote for President. The other option which seemed to be confusing was "Federal" which gave you in addition to President the option to vote for Senate and Congress candidates.

The Roanoker Magazine on Countryside Golf Club

The November/December issue of The Roanoker Magazine has a four-page article that has been in the works for several months. Working with Elizabeth Parsons, author of the article was a pleasure. She took it very seriously and did her homework. Parsons who knew nothing about the subject she was assigned seemed overwhelmed at times admitting she did not know it was "such a tangled web." After reading it several times it became clear that the only team still clinging to their position that buying Countryside for development was a good idea is Burcham and Townsend. Developers and appraisers say "no way."

"Howl O'Ween" SPCA Slideshow

On Sunday the Roanoke Valley SPCA held it's 16th Annual Walk for the Animals. They raised in excess of $30,000 for the SPCA. Contests categories were the scariest, cutest, and the dog that looked most like its owner. There was a "dog walk" around downtown Roanoke prior to the contest.

Retired General Wesley Clark Video

Wednesday night Retired General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Wesley Clark, stumped for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. He arrived at the Jefferson Center about 5:45 PM shortly after Virginia State Senator John Edwards warmed up the crowd. The video is a snippet from the rally.

Public Art eats small child!

Notice the small boy that appears in the Pelican's stomach.

Saturday morning at Fire Station #7 on Memorial Avenue a "Meet The Artist" event was held as the last installment of Public Art was admired by this young fellow who lives on Grandin Road. Now, I know you don't believe he has been swallowed by this Pelican made out of copper, steel, brass and aluminum but the piece is titled "Second Chances." The Pelican's mouth moves in the wind while the fish try to escape with a second chance at life. The artist is Eldon Slick from Tucson, Arizona. The art will be on display until April 2010. Pictured with the artist is City Manager, Darlene Burcham.

Market Building - Welcome Mat Still Out

All the holes are patched so says the City. Did they forget the front door? This is the entrance from Market Street within view of the esthetically challenged former Billy's Ritz pictured below.
Does anyone see the irony here? The "spiffing up" of the Market area for the grand opening of the Taubman Museum when right next door is this eyesore. In just a few weeks people and officials from throughout the State will attend the much anticipated opening on November 8th and 9th. Now I know that the developer is "loan challenged" in these tight credit economic times but isn't there something they could do to minimize the visual impact. With construction halted have the mice that are no longer frequenting the Market building taking up residence back here again? Perhaps the developer should hire an exterminator to check it out. I have a vision though not a pretty one of a cartoon like event at the museum opening and mice scampering across feet or even waiting at the door to get in. The City needs to attack the mice issue and as according to one shop keeper roaches as well with a total downtown approach not just one building. Even a layman understands that solving one building's pest infestation just sends them to another. Roanoke City should address this with the developer and soon ... like now!

Countryside Golf - Another Year, again!

Father and Daughter Day!

Per Brian Townsend the current operators of Countryside Golf Course will only go for a full year lease. The City Manager had expressed at Council that the preference was to have a lease no longer than fiscal year end June 30, 2009, thereby giving plenty of time for an RFP (Request For Proposal) to be issued. This RFP would be for 10 year operation. So by waiting last minute (lease ends Oct. 31st) the City was faced with a "take it or leave it" situation. If it closed down Oct. 31st the City would be responsible for upkeep of this 140 acres. Let's put the RFP for ten years out there now and fix it up. I should add that this goes before Council on October 23rd.

Action Taken on Countryside Golf Course

A letter from the City Clerk on September 17th advising that on September 15th that Council "took the following action in connection with the Countryside Golf Course:"

Countryside Golf Course remain an 18-hole golf course; that the City design improvements necessary to preserve an 18-hole golf course and to create a quality golf course and to provide cost estimates for those improvements; that after the drawings and estimates are completed, City staff prepare and distribute a Request for Proposal (RFP); that the RFP allow the potential golf course operators the flexibility to propose a lease-term sufficient for the improvements of the golf course as have been identified; that the City Administration also prepare its own response to the RFP for the City's payment of improvements and operation of the golf course so that it can be compared to the private-sector responses; and in addition, that City staff bring to Council before the RFP is distributed, identification of "potential" land that can be sold by the City for residential and non-residential purposes that is in excess of what is needed to operate a quality 18-hole golf course.

Explaining the Virginia Public Procurement Act

At the City Council Retreat on September 30th Mayor Bowers attempted to explain the bid procurement procedure. Bowers said, "once the RFP has been issued it is not something that council members ought to be involved with … and my suggestion to the manager is to send us a message if she wants us to be involved." Bowers explained that it takes on legal connotations once the RFP is issued and when it is being evaluated. If Council members are contacted by potential bidders or their representatives Council may be accused of having influenced the decision. He said, "if someone is not awarded the bid and they hear that Council has unintentionally interfered you are probably asking for some problems."

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Darlene Burcham went further asking to clear the air - All localities are governed by the Virginia Public Procurement Act. Currently the policy authorizes the city manager, not the City Council, to award contracts. So when in closed session there is the understanding not to bring Council into the decision making. Under Procurement there are strict guidelines on how proposals are to be evaluated. The City always uses the Committee process. That proposal [Market building] had an outside member from Hotel Roanoke. Only the committee can pose a question to a vendor. Not even the City manager can pose a question to the vendor. It can only be posed by the Purchasing manager.

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Burcham said it was an unusual situation for someone to ask to see a proposal before it is awarded or rejected. If any member of Council in the future is interested in seeing a response we need to have it known to the full Council then it can be made available to those Council members interested in seeing it. She said she had "never had a request like that before or at any other place she had worked." Burcham said in regard to the request made by Councilman Court Rosen that her answer was appropriate as it was prior to Council having any discussion on it. She thought that all Council members now know what is appropriate as a result of that example. Burcham said, "I do agree with the Mayor's statement and I know where on a recent RFP some of you were contacted." Council will be contacted in the future by individuals to give a sales pitch in advance of awarding a bid. Work up to that point should be done in a confidential manner. Burcham said this is the way we keep ourselves from being sued or having challenges to the process.

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Rosen said, "certainly when I asked for that [DRI Market proposal] it was not that I wanted to share any information. I am just surprised on such issues of this magnitude to the community that nobody has asked to see a proposal -Like proposals for Countryside - like right now I’d like to ask can we see proposals for Countryside."

Burcham said, just because they [DRI] went public with it it does not absolve us from liability.

Rosen said, "as a member of the legislature I should be able to see the proposal before decisions are made - that’s what people expect."

Burcham said - "lessons learned and roles need to be clarified."

Gwen Mason said "it is really easy to make a misstep in ethics or impropriety."

Bowers said we can try to help our citizens understand what the role of Council is. What is and is not the roll of the mayor - Educate the public. Bowers said we have a Council manager form of government. Virginia is the only state with complete division between County and City.

Mayor Bowers On The City Market Building - Audio/Video

Below is the context of what Mayor David Bowers said in comparing the "hope" of the opening of the Market Building to 9-11. I was there and no Council member gave any indication that the comparison offended in any way. I barely remember it. The most glaring declaration during the Retreat has been overlooked by the media. Councilman Nash wanted to NOT reopen the Market building period.. He was supported by Rosen. Dr. Trinkle and Mason questioned Darlene Burcham on the "bond" they had with the vendors. Burcham said that after all the city's and vendors' hard work if Market building did not reopen the city would get a "black eye." Lea and Bowers agreed with Burcham as I believe did Price. Though Nash pressed more on not reopening, in the end Burcham convinced them that if they did not the public not to mention the vendors would not be pleased.

City Council Retreat - “the best ever”

City Attorney William Hackworth, exclaimed that this had been “the best retreat ever.”

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The day began promptly at 8:30 AM with an ambitious agenda that lasted until 4:00 PM. The Retreat was held at the Police Department on Campbell Avenue in the community center. The facilitator was Bill Kennan who teaches at Radford University.

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The morning session was centered around Process, Information, and Priorities. It ranged from televising briefings to Councilman Nash's 30 minute questioning on why the Mayor gets the last word at Council meetings. After an exhaustive explanation on that by Mayor Bowers and Vice-Mayor Lea, Councilman Nash then said he did not want to "seem petty" about it. Mayor Bowers explained that since the Mayor chairs the meetings he is restrained from interjecting his comments during the comment period. Vice-Mayor Lea explained that the Mayor is busy recognizing everyone else and it is not easy when Council members start talking to each other rather than waiting to be recognized by the chair. The Mayor is also restricted from making motions while chairing a meeting and that is why he relinquished the chair to Vice-Mayor Lea when he wanted to make a motion at a previous meeting.

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Mayor Bowers said there are many times he would like to get into the discussion but has to restrain himself and wait until the end before a vote. He said that it does not mean that anyone would not be recognized in response to his comments and recalled that he had done just that. Other Council members agreed that was the case. Though Nash still admitted to wanting to have "the last word." Everyone "chuckled" as it was said in a good-natured way.

Waiting For Response From Meadowbrook

I asked Brian Townsend again last night if he had received a response from Meadowbrook, current operators of Countryside, whether they would be willing to operate the golf course through June, 2009. This is what the City Administration and City Council agreed to do while drafting a Request For Proposal (RFP) to solicit proposals from interested operators for a 10 year period. This would also include Meadowbrook assuming they are not fed up with the whole process of one year leases. During Winter months they lose money so the City is hoping to offer extending through Spring, 2009, in order to make up for the loss over the Winter months. It has now been more than a week and no response from Meadowbrook. I wonder what "Plan B" is? Would it be closed when Meadowbrook's lease ends October 31st? The golf carts and maintenance equipment belongs to Meadowbrook. Even if Parks and Rec maintained it there would be no golf carts even if there is equipment (which I doubt they have). Parks and Rec do not have any experience maintaining or managing a golf course. I would wager that Meadowbrook IF they agree would not be willing to pay the City any rent. The suspense continues!

Today I Was Just A Mom

I gained a daughter or lost a son today - either way it was an emotional day. Everything else in my life took a back seat. My son's happiness is all that mattered. Of course I "blubbered" and embarrassed my son ... it was just sort of like it came out of nowhere this blubbering "tough" activist crumpled at the sight of her son getting married. Don't get any ideas that I am a pushover - it was just this one time.

City Attorney Explains FOIA To Council

On Monday, September 15th, City Attorney William Hackworth at the request of Mayor Bowers explained the FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act) and the reason Councilman Court Rosen was denied a copy of the Roanoke City Market Building proposal prior to the September 2nd City Council meeting.

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Mayor Bowers said that the public may want clarification as to what bits of information the Council can have access to and asked Mr. Hackworth for the legal standing on that.

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The City Attorney said that the issue “was a novel one for him and one that had never come up before … he had never had a member of a governing body ask for proposals” prior to award or rejection. He spoke to Bill Hefty, an expert attorney on the Virginia Public Procurement Act in Richmond and they had not ever had that issue come before them either. However, Mr. Hackworth relayed Mr. Hefty’s advice that “if Council as a whole decides they want to see proposals submitted as part of an RFP process they have a right to make the decision to do so. However, an individual member of Council acting on their own would essentially have the same standing as a member of the public.” Therefore they would be denied. Mr. Hackworth elaborated by saying if an individual member of Council asked for a proposal he would advise them to bring the request before all members of Council in a closed meeting.

Roanoke Times Poll Results For Countryside

What should the council do with the Countryside property?

Keep it as a golf course
313
(88.67%)

Sell it
33
(9.35%)

Other
7
(1.98%)

Total Replies : 353

Countryside Direction Finally Made Clear

After heated debate Roanoke City Council agreed 6-1 to move forward with a Request For Proposal to maintain Countryside as an 18-hole golf course. Those present literally stood up for Countryside. Only ONE stood up opposed and it was Hank Bostwick's sidekick, Chris Berry of chrisberryonthe.net.

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Besides myself, speakers included the President of the Senior Tour, Tommy Firebaugh, who spoke representing 130 members which includes members such as "Chip" Woodrum and Board of Supervisors member "Butch" Church.

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Also speaking in favor of Countryside Golf Course was the well respected former Director of Athletics at Patrick Henry High School, Woody Deans.

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The RFP will be for a minimum of 10 years. It will be put out for a period of 45-60 days per the City Manager, Darlene Burcham. She also reiterated that the current operator Meadowbrook (who may also bid on the operation) would be asked to continue operating the golf course for 8 months until fiscal year end June 30, 2009.

Hank Bostwick seems "alarmed" that his so-called - "Sources close to the City government have indicated to me that based on the age of the course, it is likely that the irrigation system–which is an asbestos irrigation system–will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. Roanokers will be shocked, no doubt, when they are hipped to how much it may cost to encapsulate and remove the asbestos from the course and replace the aging irrigation system." Get with the program Hank, your sources are baloney. There IS asbestos in the irrigation system and according to the DEQ asbestos experts it can STAY in the ground undisturbed and another irrigation system installed. IF development had occurred the irrigation system would have been disturbed. THEN the developer would be subject to expense. Ony a fool of a developer would have not done their due diligence before committing to any ground disturbance.

Hank Bostwick's StarCityHarbinger is again misrepresenting the facts of the meeting: He states that: "A few citizens, including Roanoke Star-Sentinel’s Council reporter Valerie Garner, spoke in support of the golf-course-in-perpetuity motion and noted that decaying infrastructure at the golf club and course need immediate resources from the City coffers."

As a "surprise" guest at our neighborhood meeting on Monday, Sept. 8th, Mr. Rosen said "he had no problem with Countryside remaining an 18-hole golf course". Then when asked "in perpetuity" -. Mr. Rosen responded, "YES" looking me straight in the eye. This can be confirmed by Councilwoman Anita Price who was present as well as other neighbors. However, Mr. Rosen contradicted that statement at City Council tonight when he questioned the city attorney - referring to Mr. Lea's motion that Mr. Lea "meant the premise of the whole motion was to make Countryside a golf course in perpetuity and my understanding to that is no - I am just asking as a matter of law" (he was looking at the city attorney for a response). The City attorney explained (though I am sure Mr. Rosen already knew the answer) that the motion is NOT a contract. Then Mr. Rosen went on to say "I have a lot less issue with that."

Mr. Lea is right that something else is "cooking" behind the scenes but this blatant contradiction is a much too obvious "red flag."

This is what I said and is the exact text I read which I gave to the City Clerk:

It was on May 2, 2005, Council voted to take an option to purchase Countryside Golf Course. Here we are over three years later and time is of the essence with the lease ending Oct. 31st and with no RFP yet issued.

The “data and financing“ has been available for all these years.

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There is no reason to stall the process any longer and risk the shutdown and eventual decay of the golf course. Decay of city owned property is NOT fiscally responsible. This DELAY is not physically responsible…. stalling leads to suspicion.

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We are intelligent citizens.

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I will quote a member of Council’s own words in an email dated 9/22/05 obtained from a FOIA request - that said, "this process is being watched by a large number of people who are intelligent and can determine when they are being involved or left out … trust is a major factor here …let’s do what we have to do to keep that with our citizens." I have not forgotten those comforting words Mr. Lea and we are still watching and we are still intelligent.

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Council had questions at the briefing on Countryside in regard to promotion of the golf course. If you initiate a “google” search of “Countryside Golf Course Roanoke” you will see that what comes up besides the airport hotels that tout it as an amenity for their guests. The results of the search displays the City’s website under Planning - Special Projects which says though stalled that the golf course is still slated for development and the RFP for development is still downloadable. It is no wonder that people say they think the course is closed. I ask Council to have this destructive promotion removed from the City’s website.

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I ask Council to consider a ten year operating agreement as the minimum for the City to consider. To really recoup the City’s investment a 20 year lease would be a better. As Ms. Shuck stated at the airport commission meeting 20 years was OK with them as long as there was commitment by this council that the property would be used for golf course fairways. She also stated that golf course fairways was a preferred use by the FAA. Evidently the FAA considers golfers as expendable.

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Again, I ask this Council to end this delay today and our anxiety and expediently instruct the City Administration to issue a RFP.

Q99's "Driving For MDA"

Dick Daniels and David Page who host "The Breakfast Club" with plenty of humor on Q99 FM took turns hitting 99 golf balls at the Par 3 in Hanging Rock. Dick and Dave have given their support for Countryside Golf Course in their own humorous style. Both are avid golfers and play here at Countryside. This charitable event is only one of many they do throughout the year. Balls were purchased on air 2 weeks ago at $100 each for the MDA. A hole-in-one would have won a Saturn convertible - Dick got one ball 7 inches from the cup. Check the Q99 website for the YouTube clip of the evening event: CLICK HERE to Q99FM then on the YouTube link.

Countryside Banner Waves Again

Horns blew with thumbs up signs as we hoisted the banner again on Saturday. With another Council crisis looming Al and Ken were called to duty once again. One man stopped his SUV in the middle of Cove Road to give us a "high five". When will we be able to retire this banner? What is going on behind the curtain oh, ye, mighty and powerful oz.

Patriot Golf Day - Aug. 29 - Sept. 1, 2008

Beginning Friday, Aug. 29 through Monday, Sept. 1, golfers nationwide will be asked to donate a minimum of $1 in support of Patriot Golf Day. All funds raised will benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide educational scholarships to families of those who have become disabled or lost their lives in the line of duty. In 2007, some 3,200 golf facilities nationwide participated in Patriot Golf Day, raising more than $1 million dollars. The Roanoke area golf courses participating this year are: Ol' Monterey, Hidden Valley, Ashley Plantation, and Hanging Rock. Pictures courtesy of PLAYGOLFAMERICA.

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PGA Professional Dan Rooney (left), an F-16 fighter pilot in the Oklahoma Air National Guard, is the founder of the Folds of Honor Foundation. Major Rooney, call sign Noonan, has served two tours in Iraq, and will be returning for another tour this summer. "We have lost more than 4,000 soldiers. They have given the ultimate sacrifice. America can come together in the spirit of golf and have a dramatic impact. We have an opportunity to make a difference for the families who have made the ultimate sacrifice." Read Dan's story HERE.

Countryside Golf Club Hosts "old white people"

Countryside is a place where old white people (predominantly . . . sorry, Mr. Nash) can go and play a cheap round of golf subsidized by the City. - StarCityHarbinger
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There is so much wrong with this post it is hard to know where to start and really does not deserve comment except for this most egregious proclamation.

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Now, I know this will evoke a round of comments by Mr. Bostwick a legal aid attorney, but after his postings recently and the feedback I've received regarding his psychotic posts anything he has to say is diminished and lets hope he sees what a huge mistake it was to make such outrageous comments.

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Sure my emotions regarding this recent dare I say grandstanding by Mr. Rosen was met with well, lets face it, hostility. Mr. Rosen accused me of smearing him in front of a member of the media at the "State of the City" address. I'm still looking for where exactly I smeared him. Criticism is part of being in public office and all current and former officeholders have experience far worse criticism. They take the more prudent road of "ignoring it".

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Those who have followed the Countryside saga for these many years understand my frustration. The frustration is that suddenly the financing of Countryside is "news" to this Council when I've repeated ad nauseam for 3 years starting with the option to purchase in May 2005 to the purchase in November, 2005. Me, an ordinary citizen just asked the Director of Finance without fanfare how it was financed, what they had to pay the airport for the lease of the RPZ, and what was the real estate tax revenue they were forgoing. I had emailed this information to Dr. Trinkle a year ago after he had asked Ms. Burcham at a Council meeting (a year ago) to gather the financial information. I tried to get the media to inform Roanoke citizens to no avail.

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Back to the "old white people" who play at Countryside Golf Club subsidized by the City. All you have to do is watch the slide show in the right column to see ALL those "old white people". And as Mr. Nash pointed out the golf course since it opened in 1967 has been subsidized by itself.

Interrupting Is All Ego

I'm sure everyone has experienced the rude interrupter. You are having a conversation with someone and another person walks up and interrupts talking nonstop. This happened to me again today with the same person. So I did some research on why this person does not know how annoying it is to both parties.

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Now if it is urgent and they say excuse me anyone would not think it rude. However, this person has done it to me multiple times just because. It is always about himself or his ideas. not to join the conversation but totally off the topic between you and another. So what do you do with such rudeness? What I did was walk away as the person talked nonstop but this left the other person to deal with him. This seems to be the suggested way to handle the situation but seems cruel to the person left behind. My poor left-behind called and said sarcastically "thank you so much for leaving me fend for myself with Mr. Ego." This is what I found:

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Interrupting is all ego. It suggests that what I have to say is more valuable and important than what you have to say. It inappropriately elevates the interrupter. It communicates that my needs, my ideas, my thoughts dominate and leave little room for you.

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Egocentricity is the belief that one is the center of the known universe and, therefore, deserves to occupy the podium, if not the bully pulpit, at all times. Many chronic interrupters believe that nobody else could possibly have anything of value to say, at least compared to them. We can choose not to play their ill-mannered game.

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Is this a learned behavior? So do you have any ideas on what you would do?

Countryside Petition Had 1,290 Signatures

At Monday's Council meeting I heard it said that "I did not get that signal" referring to the fact that the citizens/voters wanted to keep Countryside a Golf Course. This came from Councilman Rosen. A year ago we presented a petition of 1,290 signatures that included Senator John Edwards and Congressman Bob Goodlate. I realize those on Council now were not paying attention to Countryside or other city issues at the time so I will remind them of this petition at my next encounter.

Serving On Council Is "Personal"

In May, 2005, the Countryside neighborhood woke up to the morning paper to find that Roanoke City had taken the option to purchase the golf course property. We were in shock. I decided to email the Councilman whose name was quoted in the paper to find out what was going on. That was Brian Wishneff. Mr. Wishneff and Mr. Lea along with Mr. Townsend (Planning Department at the time) came to my house and there was no room for every neighbor. They lined my driveway, hallway, and back porch. I remember Mr. Lea and Mr. Wishneff at the time were surprised our homes were even here. No one on Council had visited the property or knew what they were buying. We were promised inclusion in the plans for the property. I know both Mr. Wishneff and Mr. Lea made every effort to get us in on the ground floor because my FOIA request of emails demonstrated it to be so. These emails also demonstrated that the other members of Council and the City Administration felt otherwise.

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So to this day we continue to be twisted and turned. Lifted up and let down and SURPRISED. Just when things relax as they did a week or two ago and we plan great things for our neighborhood .... wham we get our legs swept out from under us again. We have gone through so many Council members now I can't count. There is only one original member left who was serving in 2005 and that is Mr. Lea.

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I ask you all who criticize our neighborhoods distrust to put yourself in our shoes. We are stunned in May, 2005, a developer pulls out never seeing any plans, more RFPs lead to nothing, one RFP last minute is replied to resulting in one nightmare of a plan so it goes back for revision and a year goes by and nothing. We attend every Parks and Recreation Master Plan workshop hoping for a crumb, nothing. Then it is left for the next Council ... then as it seems a longer term lease is going to relieve the tension .... wham - let's see if we can sell it. We were promised that it would never be cut up into pieces. We were promised we would be included in the process. It never happened and at the 2:00 PM Council meeting just proved it never will. So walk a mile in our shoes before you cast a stone on our mistrust. We don't need surprises like at the 2:00 PM Council meeting and Mr. Rosen's pronouncement that now we might sell it either keeping it a golf course for a certain amount of time (then what?) or turning it into 1/2 park and 1/2 business. Were we included in that option? No, it was purely a financial and business idea. Where did I here this before? "It's not personal, it's business" - the reply from the affected person was "it was personal to me".

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So pardon me if I don't think YOUR ideas are good ideas. Nobody has asked us for ANY of OUR ideas ever.

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If you read any conflicts about the 2:00 PM meeting CLICK HERE -I posted a link to the webcast before so you yourself can hear the 45 minute co mingling of RFPs and confusion.

Another Update: Court Rosen Wants Countryside Sold

Mr. Rosen said, “he thinks it would be worth while to engage a broker to see what they believe the value of the golf course is” and “and maybe someone is out there that may want to buy the golf course and operate it“. Read the article in The Roanoke Times today and my article that will be in The Roanoke Star-Sentinel online Thursday and out on Friday.

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At the 2:00 PM Roanoke City Council meeting Court Rosen threw a monkey wrench into what was going smoothly and on "course" for a 5 - 10 year Request For Proposal for operation of the golf course. There was a 40 plus minute debate Monday afternoon that became clear that we have Council members working their way into selling the property. Mr. Rosen wanted financial data on the city's debt obligation compiled and a broker to assess it's sale value. He quoted some erroneous capital costs stating that the cart path repairs were 1.2 million dollars. With grass it is $25,000 and full pavement is $180,000. SEE corrected numbers below from Mr. Townsend. LISTEN AND WATCH HERE - pick 2:20 PM.

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It is not rocket science what the finances are with the golf course and it has been available for years. Mr. Nash, said Rosen was " mixing apples and oranges". The debt service is "apples" and the "operational costs" are oranges. WE ARE TALKING ORANGES. The golf course has sustained itself since its inception in 1967 and as Mr. Nash pointed out "something happens to THINGS when the City buys it". Meadowbrook, the current operator, has under reported their profit since taking over operation. Why might you think that Meadowbrook under reports it's profit? Why might you think that they might just want the $17,500 yearly lease reduced even further for a 5 year lease. Yes, rounds are down because of the state of flux but as any smart business would do - not report their actual profits to keep their lease cost low. I know that to be so in this case. It has not been marketed and heck, people say "Oh, I did not know it was still there".

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There are other local golf facilities wanting to operate the golf course. One in particular that has past experience in caring for the golf course had just called me between the two Council meetings Monday begging to be able to do a presentation to City Council. So now we know that they are out there but just can't get in.

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As I have been telling City Council for 2 years the almost $4 million loan on the property is financed at Carter Bank, amortized for 15 years at 6.25%. Have they ever heard of an amortization schedule? So exactly what can't they figure out in about 5 minutes? If I here "we can never have too much information" one more time well just say my hair is on fire. There is more to this than meets the eye. There are members of Council hell bent on having it sold for whatever reason. One thing that Mr. Rosen said, "we need money for neighborhoods and schools". So I guess we are not a neighborhood. He also said he did "not hear any citizens say they wanted to keep the golf course during the election". Well, Mr. Rosen, must not have listened or more precisely turned a deaf ear. It came out in forums where he said "we can never have too much information" and I will have to "study it". Roanoke City is NOT a corporation and City Council works for the people. City Administration is the business side of our local government and City Council members are the balance that weighs that with the well-being of the citizens. This is not the Pharma lobby he had been a spokesman for in Washington, DC, prior to coming to Roanoke.

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There was a briefing Monday as well on the NEW REC CENTER planned for Fallon Park. What's wrong with this picture? Let's take some of that amphitheatre money just sitting there and pay off this loan. Just think how much could have been saved these past years in interest. Way over 1/2 million in interest only now.

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Buena Vista BUILT a municipal golf course that sustains itself - Vista Links is just one example. Ms. Burcham is wrong when she said she could not find golf course that are not subsidized by the City. Looking at the financial figures she picked up from other golf course - they had "depreciation" as an expense. Well Countryside has ITS OWN equipment and there was NO depreciation on Countryside's disclosed financial information. The golf course operation has cost them not one red cent - it has made money as Mr. Nash stated. The debt service is the fault of the City and should be taken care of separately. Why is it that other projects seem valuable enough to put money into but Countryside not only sustains itself while other parks have to be subsidized by our tax dollar? I don't have to repeat the projects that get funding here. Again NOT ONE red cent has gone into the golf course and the debt - well the City got themselves into that by financing like a mortgage so they just need to deal with it!

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Mr. Rosen does not realize or does not care that we have no recreation in this part of the City. Mr. Rosen though cares for a dog park and has no concern that a "memorial tree" is planted right in the proposed location of the Highland Park dog park.

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NEW information just received on current operator's offer:

The cost to replace the irrigation system is $850,000. The golf cart repairs would be $300,000 with full pavement replacement and minor repairs to the clubhouse at $50,000. Meadowbrook wants $1.2 million upfront for these repairs. In turn Meadowbrook for a 10 year lease offered rent payment of 7.5% of total revenue or the following:

2009 = $30,000, 2010 = $50,000, 2011 - 2018 = $100,000

**Total revenue reported by Meadowbrook in 2005 was $917,839, 2006 was $912,319, and 2007 was $815,174. This would relate to the 7.5%.

Countryside Maintenance - Begging For Dollars

Monday evening the sale of the Countryside property (one acre) to Newbern, LLC, for the TRANE building expansion will be finalized. The Planning Commission was unanimous in their recommendation. It will come before Roanoke City Council at the 7:00 PM meeting. This acre will pinch the 2nd and 3rd fairway and at a minimum will make it very "unattractive". I will ask Council to "earmark" the $55,000 paid for the acre for maintenance of Countryside Golf Course. Maintenance or improvements that will not be covered by the expected new operating agreement being drafted. As some of you may remember - the most urgent need is the golf cart paths and irrigation system. Below are two conflicting architectural renderings. The first is what I received several months ago along with a "Request For Comment". The second is an attachment on Monday's agenda. Now maybe I was not updated on the change in building design and the parking reconfiguration that took place prior to the Planning Commission review. At this point I don't know what is actually going there or when. If you figure it out please let me know.

Rendering I Received with Request For Comment

Rendering attached to Monday's agenda.

Lobbying For Countryside Golf Club

Lobbyist - let's kick the lobbyists out of Washington - but not out of Roanoke City. It takes a heck of an amount of lobbying to "get through" to City Council and City Administration. They keep dancing "a little side step" a song I heard from the movie something about Texas and a whorehouse. Just ask the dog park advocates what it takes to get what you want or what you don't want. In both Council's and the Administration's defense they have a lot on their plate. Council is part-time and Administrators .... well have you ever read the FULL Council Agenda with attachments. It boggles the mind just putting that "tree killer" together. OK, you say, what is my point. My point is something our current Mayor then former Mayor told me/us back in 2005 when Countryside first came on the chopping block. He said, "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" and that "they [city admin] will wear you down and wear you out as that is their full-time job". Well we know how it is to run around trying to figure out what the strategy is for the next round of Countryside (pun intended). I told someone last night that if I were a betting person, I'd say we are looking at a 5 year operating agreement out for a Request For Proposal. They will extend the lease with Meadowbrook for a few months. Of course, Meadowbrook may or may not bid on it but probably will - renewal with the Airport Commission for 5 years ... effectively Council will see this as a win and try to make us feel like WE have won. Hold your horses. Look at it politically - they get to pass the buck to probably a new or practically new future Council. No permanency in direction - will we be back at square one in five years. Will we still be here (alive and kicking)? Maybe we'll just be too old and tired to fight anymore.

Countryside Swimming Pool Now Dirt

The residents of the Countryside neighborhood had been listening to the heavy equipment coaxing large chunks of concrete from the once vibrant Countryside Swim Club for a week. In its day it had brought the community together with family gatherings and childhood birthday parties. The swim club is not the only community gathering place lost to the new "urbanisim" but it is representative of the community bonds that have been broken throughout the city. What will replace Countryside Swim Club? I expect whatever goes there will have to prove to bring "revenue" to the city and "feel good" community bonding is not the priority. Though it may be an acceptable use in the long run - it will not be the Swim Club community center it once was - we must embrace "change". We don't want to be labeled "change haters". Resisting "change" insinuates you are not patriotic. If you are not willing to sacrifice your beloved piece of history to "new and shiny" you must be a "change hater". Is change always good?

Countryside Tennis Building Deterioration

The Countryside tennis building is not looking so good these days. There is a possibility that the lessee will not renew his lease at such a late date. Court time is sold during the summer and I think this lessee has just about run out of patience. You can't blame him. Meadowbrook cannot lease the building due to the lease with Roanoke City still pending. Neither will Roanoke City will not lease it directly. So a "catch 22" for the current lessee. Not only that but the building is in badly need of repairs. I understand that the city building inspector will not come out to inspect it which is probably due to the City actually owning it. Meadowbrook receives the revenue from leasing it. Will this quandary ever be resolved?

Tennis Building Termites?

"Born To Be Wild" At National Night Out

We had a packed pavilion at our annual National Night Out Against Crime. We ran out of plates and drinks but that did not stop us. We were "giddy" with the media coverage and Council's leaning toward leaving the golf course and us alone permanently. We may not be there yet - as The Roanoke Times editorial staff attempts to "snuff" us out of our euphoria today but nothing could hold back our hearts last night. We had a visit from Vice-Mayor Sherman Lea, Fire/EMS, and Roanoke City Police. A few vice officers arrived as those who lingered late were getting out of hand ... you know who you are - BORN TO BE WILD! Turn your speakers on:

Article located by Becky Johnson

What Came First...

What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?

Roanoke City Council met August 4 in an information session on Countryside at City Hall. The session began around 11:15 and lasted for about two hours. During that time the full council was briefed in depth by Brian Townsend before giving way to a question/answer time.

Much of Townsend’s briefing was geared to providing the new council members; Rosen, Price, Bowers, and Nash; and opportunity to become familiar with the history of the Countryside purchase and development plans by the City.

Much of the briefing centered on how the airport impacts the club. With a significant chunk of land leased to the city by the airport commission and with that lease due to expire in mid November, the city will need to renegotiate the lease for golf to continue. In addition, the airport commission wishes to widen the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). To accomplish that goal, a land swap is being proposed that will swap two tracts on either side of Ranch Road for land on either side of the current RPZ. The parcels offered by the Airport Commission for the swap have been altered from the original proposal, however. No doubt Valerie will go back and tweak her now famous RPZ image to illustrate the current swap proposal. Townsend stated the reason for the change was due to the overall value of the property being taken by the airport commission not matching the value of the property the airport commission was giving to the city (at least that’s the way I understood what he was saying.)

Part of the informational briefing centered on the current state of the golf facility. Townsend informed the council that Meadowbrook currently pays $17,500 for the lease to operate the course. The annual debt service for FY 2009 is just over $470,000. Meadowbrook reported $87,500 in profit in 2005, $79,800 in 2006, and $43,200 in 2007.

Townsend also covered the short-term capital improvement needs for Countryside:

Cart Paths:

-$25,000 for paving paths near tees and greens/returning rest to grass

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-$180,000 for full replacement

Irrigation System

-$100,000 for repairs

Or

-$700,000 for full replacement

Burcham and Townsend then presented their two basic recommendations:

1. Short Term Golf Course Agreements

-Extend limited lease agreements with a management group for five years

-Finalize Land swap and Lease Extensions

-Limited capital improvements

-Identify additional redevelopment ideas (may still develop at a later date)

2. “Golf Course Stewardship” Long Term Golf Commitment

-Finalize land swap and lease renewal with Airport Commission

-RFP operation and management lease

-Feasibility Study for golf operation

-Invest in the capital improvement plan

The discussion was focused and productive. Most council members stated their support for maintaining the golf course. The real debate seemed to be centered on the airport lease. Here comes the chicken and egg part. Dr. Trinkle and Mrs. Mason were especially focused on the upcoming possible lease extension by the airport commission. The question is will the airport commission extend the lease so that the city can then commit to golf or does the city need to commit to golf so that that airport commission will extend the lease? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?

Mr. Nash and Dr. Trinkle also broached the subject of a permanent commitment to golf. One thing that our organization hopes to avoid is another round of development roulette five years down the road when the housing market looks sunnier. We want a firm commitment to support fully Countryside Golf Course. One way to demonstrate that is by seeking a long-term lease with the airport commission. If the airport commission were to commit to a long-term lease (ten years or longer) where the city guaranteed that the land would remain a golf course, then the airport commission could be assured of having a low-density acceptable use of the property.

Mayor Bowers made several comments that cheered us. He stated that he didn’t want this process to drag out. He wants citizens to be heard in the matter and then a firm time window of no more than a year established to iron out the details of the city’s course of action. Of course, with both the Meadowbrook lease and airport commission lease all coming due in October/November, that time table will need to be pushed up even more.

Mayor Bowers also stated that Roanokers tell him that they are “…green with envy…” over Salem’s commitment to parks and recreation facilities. He maintained that Countryside is an ideal location to develop our own recreation facility with tennis and competitive swimming components.

Court Rosen and Anita Price did a lot of listening, but Rosen did state that the city can make Countryside Golf Course are real amenity. He mentioned that thinking out of the box on how to utilize the assets of the course is important. He gave for example, the idea that memberships may be offered to employees to businesses that choose to locate in the city.

Anita Price quietly made the powerful point that the city and Meadowbrook need to be doing more to market and publicize the course. She pointed out that the visitor brochure produced by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau does not list Countryside in the golf listings. Other public courses are listed, but not the city’s course. Several phone books serve the valley. Interestingly, if you want to look up Countryside in the yellow pages of the Verizon phone book (the largest and arguably most popular), you won’t find it listed at all. It does appear in the “Yellow Book” with an attractive quarter page ad.

Mr. Lea restated his long-standing support for the 18 hole golf course. Like the other council members, he stated a desire to meet with the airport commission.

Dr. Trinkle, in addition to his other comments, stated that he wants the city to commit to five to ten years of being good stewards of the golf course. He also wants to hear from the public about how the facility can benefit the community and schools.

Mrs. Burcham began to wind down the meeting by stressing that the staff would like to put forth an RFP for a 5-year lease to run the golf course facility. She stated that the council and staff would need to define expenses and responsibilities before entering into the lease agreement.

At that point, the discussion became a little murky and difficult to follow. We weren’t sure exactly what will be brought before the council in terms of RFP’s at future meetings. However, we believe that Council directed staff to bring an RFP proposal with at least a five year lease built in back to them. It also appeared that some council members directed the staff to negotiate with Meadowbrook for a long-term commitment; however, that negotiation may be handled through the RFP process. (The council members sat with their backs to the public and there were no microphones, so it was sometimes difficult to hear comments and read body language.)

Countryside Neighborhood Alliance had a strong showing with many of our friends present. In addition, representatives from the golf course attended.

The session produced news of an upcoming meeting with the airport commission to discuss several issues. Perhaps the lease extension and land swap will come up. This meeting will take place on September 2 at noon. We didn’t catch the location.

Overall, we were very pleased with the tone and seriousness of the discussions. The council members were civil to and respectful of the public and each other. They discussed, unrelated to Countryside, having a retreat at a local venue (most likely the city owned Apple Ridge Farm) to discuss issues and set goals and priorities. If the chickens can be hatched, Countryside Golf Course may have a bright future.