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

Or

-$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.

Countryside Neighborhood Slide Show

Great pictures thanks to Susan Hall, enjoy!

May Neighborhood Month Event A Success

CLICK TO ENLARGE ANY PHOTO - Virginia Stuart and Edythe Davis (right)
Ken Saunders mans the grill with Steve Goodwin and Norma Getgood close behind.

Mr. Berry, Carolyn Word, Mac McCadden and there again is Edythe Davis.
Our Firefighters/EMS from our local Station 13 - We support you in keeping us safe!

Mayor - Elect, David Bowers pays Countryside Neighborhood a visit to the delight of all. Thank you, David, for taking the time to share your victory and thoughts for our community.

What a beautiful day for our May Neighborhood Month event at the Countryside Golf Course Pavilion. There were about 50 neighbors and friends in attendance. Thank you to Countryside's management for allowing us to have our event here again this year. Thank you also for the door prize of a free round of golf which was given to Mac McCadden for being our DJ and providing the variety of music selections for the young and ahh ... the "young again wannabes".
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The following businesses provided gifts of door prizes. Please thank them on your visit to these generous donors:

CVS at Peters Creek and Cove Rd. - $25 Gift Card

Lowe's at Rutgers - 2 Tape Measures

Home Depot - NW - A box fan

Kroger - $10 Gift Card

Holiday Inn Ordway - Weekend Stay with Breakfast

Big Lots - $20 (2 items)

Burger King - a "ton" of free menu coupons

Elite Fitness Center - 6 month free membership

WDBJ7 - 3 WDBJ7 T-Shirts

Sheetz - 10 free sandwich coupons

Flower/Gift Shop on Peters Creek - multiple gift baskets

Applebee's - $25 gift card

TGIF - Free Entre

(Let me know who/what I left off this list)

*** Hoping for more pictures by Susan Hall soon.

*** Look for Local Colors video and pictures soon.

Shine the Light on Them, Valerie!

As an observer from another locale, I am continually amazed by the biting and scratching going on in front of and especially behind the scenes of Roanoke City Council.

I'm very proud that you are running on principle. Government MUST be of and by the People. No other candidate for City office can hold a candle to you. Win or lose, you are a champion, a bright light. Thank you for taking the time to run.

Ingersoll Rand To Acquire Trane Inc.

INGERSOLL RAND TO ACQUIRE TRANE INC. FOR APPROXIMATELY $10.1 BILLION
Click for Press Release
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What does this mean for the Countryside property that Trane wants to buy at the 2nd and 3rd fairway?
Click for Map

• Transaction Creates a Global Diversified Industrial Company with expected Pro Forma 2008 Revenues of $17 Billion and $2 Billion of DEBIT • Transaction Immediately Accretive to Earnings with Estimated 2008 EPS of $4.00 • Cost and Revenue Synergies are Expected to Exceed $300 million by 2010 • Acquisition Price for Trane of $36.50 Per Share in Cash and 0.23 shares of Ingersoll Rand Common Stock per each Trane Share Equal to Approximately $48.00 in Total Value per Trane Share.

Hamilton, Bermuda and Piscataway, New Jersey, December 17, 2007 – Ingersoll-Rand Company Limited (NYSE:IR) announced today that it has executed a definitive agreement to acquire Trane Inc. (NYSE:TT), formerly American Standard Companies Inc., in a transaction valued at approximately $10.1 billion, including transaction fees and the assumption of approximately $150 million of Trane net debt. Trane is a global leader in indoor climate control systems, services and solutions with expected 2007 revenues of $7.4 billion.

Does Trane still want the Countryside Golf Course property for expansion? The "synergies" word should make the Trane employees quiver. The acquired company employees always get the boot! Is this a surprise to the Trane folks in Tuckawana Circle and Newbern Properties? Wouldn't it just be a hoot if they closed them down .. how sweet it would be!

Good-bye Officer Brink

Our Community Resource Officer (CRO) he has been reassigned. His new assignment is with the Juvenile Crimes Unit. We are without a CRO until a replacement is named. We will miss Officer Dale Brink as he contributed much to our meetings with his advice and council. I wish him good luck in his new assignment. Stay safe, Officer Brink, and we would welcome you back any time. The new Zone 4 Captain is Lt. Todd Clingenpeel.

Neighborhood President's Council

Ken Cronin,

General Services,

Roanoke City

Valerie Garner. CNA Chair

Susan Hall, CNA Treasurer

Last night's President's Council was well attended. A big "thank you" to Ken Cronin for his informative slideshow on Global Warming - what Roanoke City is doing - what we can do.

Countryside Neighborhood Meeting Sept. 10th

Look For The Neighborhood Meeting Sign

Prior to the Countryside Neighborhood 7:00 PM meeting we will host the Neighborhood President's Council at 5:30 PM in the same room. From Bob Clement, Roanoke City Neighborhood Services:

"The next President's Council meeting is scheduled for Sept 10 at 5;30 pm at the Holiday Inn on Ordway Drive(behind the Wyndham). This month the meeting is being hosted by the Countryside Neighborhood Alliance and promises to be a very informative meeting. Ken Cronin, Director of General Services for the City of Roanoke, will discuss how the City is reducing their energy consumption and carbon footprint while helping to save our environment and saving you tax dollars.Ken will also provide information on how we as individuals can assist in this endeavor and at the same time, save our own household dollars being spent on rising energy costs."

All are welcome to attend at 5:30 where refreshments will be served then roll over to our regular meeting at 7:00 PM.

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Preliminary Agenda

• Regular business - Minutes and Treasurer's report
• Officer Election Committee Assignment
• "Party Animals" will suggest future event ideas (National Night Out was a blast and we are hungry for more fun.)
• Discussion of August 20th Council Meeting and the "paternal expression of disappointment in us"
• Update from City Administration on the 4 Points directed by City Council (see below)

1) Given that the current management contract on the golf course ends on October 31st and requires the contractor to provide all business operational equipment, we believe there is insufficient time to develop a thorough RFP and to secure meaningful responses. Accordingly our first recommendation is to renew the current contract for one additional year and plan to issue a RFP next spring for any additional management services needed.

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2) Long-term use of the property requires that the clear zone issue be resolved through the proposed property exchange with the Airport Commission. Therefore, we recommend that we conclude this transaction.

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3) An existing business [Jess Newbern Properties - Trane] adjacent to the golf course desires to expand immediately. I recommend that staff be authorized to determine if such expansion can be accommodated without undue interference with the current golf course operation and negotiate the sale of this limited area of the property, and,

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4) Not seek formal proposals for the balance of the property's development for at least a year to allow time to assess the current housing market conditions.

The Second Battle For Countryside

The Second Battle For Countryside

Earlier this month at the Countryside Neighborhood Alliance night out celebration, I sensed a hope that had been struggling to flourish over the last few dark months. The city’s development plans had unraveled and the alliance felt that if nothing else, time had been bought. While none of us were under any illusion that we’d won a great victory in our first battle, we did think we had won time.

Time is up. Monday, the city will open another salvo. According to reports filtering out, the city is considering selling a tract of Countryside land to a neighboring business. Such a sale would most likely erase the third hole and second green as well as a chunk of the approach to the second green, although details remain sketchy and under wraps.

Looking at the most likely scenario if the sale goes through, the golf course would be radically changed and the idea of parceling out the course will have been introduced. With only sixteen and a half holes left, the course will have to be reconfigured with at least one more hole added. Where will that hole go? That’s the big question. Other questions pop in to my mind. If that tract can be sold off independently, will the city sell off others? Will Countryside slowly be turned in to an “executive golf course?” Will the neighborhood alliance’s resolve be tested every few months as the city sells off chunks of the property willy-nilly? Why haven’t our civic group leaders been included in any discussions?

Monday night’s meeting is key. City leaders need to understand that the people of Countryside care very deeply about their community. The city needs to see us at the meeting with our bright shirts on and resolve etched on our faces. Let’s hope that the wisdom of the council outstrips their desire to develop the land quickly. In this case, proceeding carefully and thoughtfully with all parties engaged in positive and honest dialog trumps a rush to development. Since the latest development plans fell apart, the city now has a unique opportunity to study the Countryside property in rich detail and figure out how to use it effectively as a recreation facility for all of the city’s residents. We need to make sure council understands that we have a vision for the property that would be a win/win for the community and the city. We need to be at Monday night’s meeting!

National Night Out at Countryside

SLIDE SHOW OF PICTURES - turn your speakers on

Countryside Neighborhood Alliance gathered to recognize National Night Out celebration - "America's Night Out Against Crime".

National Night Out is designed to
· heighten crime and drug prevention awareness,
· generate support for and preparation in local anti-crime programs,
· strengthen neighborhood spirit, police-community partnerships,
· send a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

We also celebrated the turning of the corner in our struggle to save our treasured asset, Countryside Golf Course.

Shine the Light: Open Your Eyes

The Roanoke Times weighed in this morning on the veil of secrecy that has covered the Countryside "Development" fiasco. The Times suggests that the city should lift that veil. That would have been the right thing to do. We feel that when the veil is lifted, City Deciders and the Roanoke Times editorial board need to rethink their support for the destructive development.

You can read the latest from the Roanoke Times right here. Please feel free to disagree with them.

Veiled Position

You can choose to disagree with them in our comment section or on the Roanoke Times Round Table.

Close Encounters at Countryside

The Countryside Neighborhood has been stuck in the Twilight Zone for over 2 years now and it is wearing thin on all of us. We struggle to enjoy this treasured green space while still wondering what will become of us. Though the August 1st deadline looms large and the development team will be meeting with City Administration any day now we will not be privy to the discussion nor will we have a place at the table. Will there yet be another deadline extension? It has been almost a year since these developers submitted their response to the RFP (Request For Proposal) put out by City Administration. This Video is meant to amuse while presenting a satirical view of the insanity of building residences in the Roanoke Regional Airport overflight area and in the 65 DNL noise contour. The FAA discourages residential land use and considers a golf course a compatible land use for property this close to an airport runway. The VDOA website states that a municipality is opening themselves up to lawsuits by ignoring their citizens safety and not protecting unsuspecting citizens unaware their purchase is so close to an airport runway and the noise associated with aircraft flying overhead. Not to mention the guide lights that flash blindingly during poor visibility as demonstrated in this video.

The People Speak

The Petition

For months now, we’ve been trumpeting the message: “SAVE COUNTRYSIDE!” All we can say is that Roanoke has responded! Our community wants to save the course and utilize the green space as a golf and recreational area for the entire city.

Our online petition offers a unique public comment area. We’ve taken those comments and presented them here.

Countryside is an incredible asset to the entire Roanoke Valley and needs to be preserved and developed as a recreational facility for the Northwest section of the city. "Developing" the Countryside property as a residential/business area is shortsighted and destructive.

This is the perfect use for this property. Adding more people under will create liability for any builder, realtor, and the city in the future as I have seen it happen elsewhere with a crash and as planes get nosier.

THE ONLY REASON WE MOVED TO OUR LOCATION WAS THE GOLF COURSE. WE ARE CERTAIN WITHOUT ANY DOUBT THAT KEEPING A GOLF COURSE INTHIS LOCATION WITH SWIMMING AND TENNIS AND OTHER RECREATIONAL POSSIBILITIES WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF ALL THE PEOPLE IN THE SURROUNDING CITY AREA AND FOR OUR FUTURE CHILDREN GROWING UP. THIS REALLY WOULD BE A WASTE TO DESTROY THE POSSIBILITIES.

Save the course!

Having a municipal golf course would be a great addition to the Parks and Rec. Dept!

No comment should be necessary; it obvious that the area should remain a golf course and other amenities updated and upgraded.

We definitely need indoor tennis courts on that side of town

Whether or not Countryside has a name change - the city of Roanoke would lose out by not keeping it as a public golf course. I've noticed that the staff at Countryside is afraid to spend any extra money to maintain the upkeep on the course now because they don't know what will happen there next.

I grew up in NW and have never moved far from my early beginnings. We need a recreational area in the NW, Why are we being left out from the city planning?

One of the things that was mentioned regarding the uniqueness and genuine beauty of Roanoke, when being named All American City, was the allure of the Countryside gold course. Located so snugly, yet effortlessly convenient, but it adds a nuance to a city the size of Roanoke, that most Major cities NEVER achieve. When I supported the 'development' of countryside, I as many of my friend ASSUMED they meant, taking our jewel of a golf course, and developing it into a diamond of a golf course. New club house, fixing the wonderful pool and indoor tennis courts to their previous luster. NONE of us THOUGHT the city was thinking of creating anything other than a better golf course. With what we have seen in areas of Roanoke where some of the most beautiful homes ever built are starting to fall into decay, or be destroyed, (another beauty that made Roanoke what it is),... we need to go back and review ways to save those precious works of art. Somehow, the leadership of Roanoke seems to believe that the only way to generate revenues, improve our ability to draw in new business etc, etc,....is to destroy the things that MADE Roanoke considered "the best kept secret in the US'.... and SHOEHORN as many new projects as possible, into the smallest spaces. (i.e. New Art Museum) A project that ballooned from a few million to over 40 million I hear? Wouldn't make more since to build a Five million dollar museum, and put 35 million dollars of great art into it? Same mentality is being used for the golf course. If we can shoehorn several hundred houses into it, we can get this amount of revenue. I have run business' since I was 20 years old, ...and I can tell you, ... Smart use of money collect beats rampant spending every time. Stop this direction, use my tax money in a way that IMPROVES the STANDARD of living for each resident, ...and no the NUMBERS of residents living. This too will provide the revenues needed.

This is the best use of this land.

Don't forget that they can still turn the course into an Arnold Palmer signature course and bring in The PGA & LPGA for tournaments which the revenue would be astronomical just for the City motels alone.

I remember Countryside very well from my undergraduate days at VT. It would be a shame to lose it.

Please pay attention to us and do the right thing for once. The lovely thing about the Roanoke Valley is that we have so many wonderful amenities within minutes, Countryside being one of the major assets. Please don't turn Roanoke into another no class Podunk town.

Keep the property as a golf course. Improve it and its associated amenities and it will pay for itself many times over, as well as providing a recreation area for area citizens and an attraction for visitors. Imagine ...a city owned entity that pays for itself and provides many avenues of recreation.

Keep the property as a Golf Course and improve on it.

I live on the golf course, so I have a personal interest. The City should not be in the Real Estate business to begin with.

I think the Name should remain Countryside and Name the signature hole after Roy Stanley.

I am in full agreement with this petition. Keep the golf course alive! It is always a pleasure to play there, and who better to name the course after than Roy Stanley. He gave so much to this community.

This is a great opportunity for Roanoke City to have a great Municipal Golf Course near the Airport and a major shopping area for Southwestern Virginia. It will not only be a good recreational area for Roanoke City citizens but an additional draw for tourism.

I live in Vinton now, but grew up in Roanoke and graduated from Fleming in 1978. Roanoke Country Club is only about 1 mile from Countryside. Why don't they put new housing and businesses there?

I agree with what was written and will be glad to sign any petition to keep Countryside.

ROANOKE CITY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A STATE OF THE ART GOLF COURSE THAT COULD BE THE ENVY OF ALL LOCALITIES. IT CAN BE A TOURIST ATTRACTION BY OFFERING GOLF PACKAGES ALIGNED WITH ONE OF THE NEARBY MOTELS. THE PACKAGE COULD EVEN INCLUDE DINNERS AT ONE OR MORE OF THE FINE RESTAURANTS NEAR BY AND COULD EVEN INCLUDE TICKETS TO A PLAY AT THE MILL MOUNTAIN THEATRE. GOLFERS LOVE TO TAKE TRIPS TO GREAT GOLF COURSES AND THEIR WIVES WOULD LOVE THE SHOPPING AT VALLEY VIEW MALL. THE OPPORTUNITY IS THERE TO PUT ROANOKE ON THE MAP FOR ANOTHER VENUE OF TOURISTS. SALEM CITY HAS ATTRACTED TOURISTS WITH THEIR STATE OF THE ART BASEBALL AND FOOTBALL FACILITIES. ROANOKE HAS A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN THEIR HANDS. ALL THEY HAVE TO DO IS TAKE IT! PLEASE!

Countryside is a Maples design. He designed 30 or 40 golf courses, mostly in North and South Carolina. He is acknowledged in golf circles to be one of the top American golf architects. What a shame it would be to destroy one of his great works.

I learned to play golf as a 13 year old at Countryside and continue to play there to this day, it's the best course for the money in town and is also a great layout, we're short on affordable courses in the Valley. It adds a lot to the community and should be preserved!

I learned as a child how to play golf at countryside and i still play today at countryside and do not want it to go anywhere!!!

I have played the course regularly for many years and consider it a very positive recreational outlet for the Roanoke valley.

I think the city should consider operating the golf course as a public course and a source of revenue.

Keep the course as it was intended--GREENSPACE.

With the lack of recreational facilities in this quadrant of town, it would be a shame to lose Countryside Golf Course, pool and tennis club. With the "proposed" Wm Fleming stadium/track this could become a recreation hub for the northern portion of the city. Properly run this area will be a revenue generating entity for the city. If the City can allow a methadone clinic to be located in this area (less than 1,000 yards from a middle and high school) it seems entirely fair to work with the area on something positive that would increase livability and recreational opportunity in this area.

THE HANGING OF THE BANNER!

This historic event took place today at approximately 4:30 PM. Mark it on your calendar as it will be the day the tide will turn for our community. Countryside Golf Course will have a new lease on life with such commitment and persistence of neighbors like those you see in this video clip - Ken and Rosanne Saunders and Al Steele. Countryside Neighborhood Alliance will prevail. Citizens of Roanoke, we need your help - CALL or EMAIL the City Council members. Tell them how important it is to the City of Roanoke to keep this treasured asset as a Municipal Golf Course. This vision will be applauded in years to come as the "smart" thing to do for the quality of life image for which Roanoke City is known. For more information email: savecountryside@cox.net

Defending a Roanoke Times Reporter

I bet you have never read a headline like that anywhere.

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The Roanoke Times article today written by Mason Adams was very well written and accurate. However, reporters do not and let me emphasize DO NOT write their headlines. The reporter writes his story and their editor attaches the headline. So Mason Adams’ well written story was brutalized by a FALSE headline. Nothing in Mason’s story eluded to “Name tied to course’s fate”. It is not a quote. It was not even brought up by anyone in the article. The editor just pulled it out of his ahhh ... bucket of headline grabbing personal opinion bunk. The "course's fate" stands on it's own. The name change would have been an honor.

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The sad thing is people read the headlines and draw their conclusion from a headline without reading the story. A headline sets the tone for an entire article. I asked for a retraction of the headline as it was a false statement. As anyone who has been following the Countryside property issue knows our community has spent the last 2 years in opposition to development of this treasured city asset. Actually I have not met one citizen who favors developing the property.

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You don't suppose it was the same editor that wrote the editorial accusing the Countryside neighborhood of "bellyaching" do you? There is supposed to be a wall between the editorial staff and the news staff. I am guessing it was a coincidence that Shanna Flowers wrote about the same topic on the same day.

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City Council is under the impression that the golf course is losing money. This is not true. Show us the figures. Show us the number of rounds of play. Try to get a tee time on the weekends. Meadowbrook is under orders from City Administration to not disclose any of this information publicly. This begs the question where did Mr. Fitzpatrick get the information that the course was losing money when Meadowbrook themselves in a letter to City Administration stated "Countryside is one of their most profitable golf courses". Meadowbook continued by saying "the golf course would create an excellent source of revenue for the City". I am posting below the 2006 budget submitted by Meadowbrook to City management. This is a link to my previous posts regarding documents.

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CLICK HERE for to see the letter from Ed Hall on how to “convince” the owner’s of Countryside Golf Course to sell by advising the airport commission to NOT renew the lease of the runway protection zone property used for fairways.

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CLICK HERE to see the 2006 budget and profit submitted to City management by Meadowbrook showing a $240,000 profit (adding back the $40,000 real estate tax that they do not have to pay since the City owns it now).

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CLICK HERE to see the Feasibility Study in 2003 and the negatives for developing the property.

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Read the Planning Commission agenda for Thursday, July 19th, item "J". Mr. Fitzpatrick wants to dip into the "name change" well too .... so I guess the headline should read "Name tied to Special Events Center's fate".

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City Planning Commission Agenda Item "J":

Discussion of the referral by City Council to name Countryside Golf Course after the late Roy Stanley Miller and to name the Roanoke Civic Center Special Events Center after the Honorable Linwood Holton and the late Honorable Elbert Lee Trinkle, former Virginia Governors from Roanoke.

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Not holding my breath for a retraction of the headline.

Golf Course Fate NOT tied to Name Change

The renaming of Countryside in memory of Roy Stanley Miller is becoming a distraction to the vision Countryside Neighborhood Alliance has for the revitalization of the championship Countryside Golf Course. I will be writing more on the Roanoke Times article later. However, I wanted to assure all that our vision for the property has not changed since Roanoke City purchased the Countryside property in November, 2005.
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Please continue to sign our petition to support Countryside remaining a PUBLIC championship golf course, retaining the indoor tennis building, and creating a world class indoor competition pool.
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PS: We have a paper petition with 700 signatures to date supporting our vision that does not include a name change.

Preserve the Green Space

A Look Down the 18th Hole

Valerie Garner recently had an op-ed piece published by The Roanoke Times. In her piece, she makes a strong case for preserving and enhancing our treasure, Countryside Golf Course.

Voicing your feelings regarding the City's ill-conceived development plans is vital to keeping the issue alive. One place you can visit to do that is the Roanoke Times Message Boards.

Finally, keep in mind that this site welcomes comments and statements of support. All you have to do is click the comment link at the bottom of any blog entry.