Weatherwax

Today's Journal.....

Tax money props up regional golf courses
Middletown has loaned close to $1 million to the city’s golf course over the past half-decade.

A Cox Media Group Ohio analysis has found that area cities pumped millions of dollars into paying for debt and operation of municipal golf courses last year.

Middletown has loaned close to $1 million to its golf course over the past half-decade, and city officials said it’ll be another five years and thousands of dollars more before the city gets any money back.

MAYBE

Last year, the city loaned Weatherwax Golf Course $151,422, despite the course running a $69,128 profit. This is because the golf course still owes nearly $1.2 million for a massive course improvement 17 years ago

ANOTHER FANTASTIC DECISION BY CITY LEADERS, SPENDING MONEY FOR THIS IN A CASH-STRAPPED BUDGET.

“I don’t give them money,” said Russ Carolus, city finance director. “They’re supposed to stand on their own, so I loan them money, and the idea is at some point we get that money back.”

Yeah, actually you did give them the money, Russy. How many out there think Weatherwax will pay the city back? The golf course was losing money for years wasn't it? If true, what is with the "stand on their own" statement? If they can stand on their own, they wouldn't need a loan would they Russ? Wouldn't it be labeled "self- sufficient?
City council has discussed selling the course. “When you’re looking at cutting public safety, you (also) look at things that aren’t cutting into the core function (of city government),” he said.

“That’s one of the options out there is to try to sell the golf course,” Carolus said.

But the city couldn’t sell it for less than what it owes: currently $2.2 million.

WHOOPS- now they have more money plowed into it than what the market will pay for it. Sounds like any other real estate situation nowadays.

IF THE CITY IS AS CASH POOR AS THEY SAY THEY ARE, WHY DO THEY KEEP PLOWING MONEY THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE INTO THIS? THEY SHUT DOWN SUNSET DUE TO A LACK OF OPERATING FUNDS. DIDN'T SEE THE CITY LOAN MONEY TO OPERATE SUNSET. SHUT THE GOLF COURSE DOWN UNTIL TIMES GET BETTER. ANSWER: THEY WILL KEEP IT OPEN, EVEN AS IT LOSES MONEY, AND EVEN THOUGH THE PREVIOUS LOAN MONEY HAS NOT BEEN REPAID FOR THEIR GOLFING PALS. APPARENTLY ALL THEIR SWIMMING PALS GO TO THE COUNTRY CLUB TO SWIM AND THEY DON'T NEED SUNSET. SO MUCH FOR CONSIDERING THE "LITTLE PEOPLE".

Vet, you love to assume everything is done with a secret handshake for the "country club pals" -- if these same people can afford to swim at a country club why wouldn't they just use the country club golf course?  From what I've seen at Weatherwax, the clientele is decidely middle class, for the most part.

I love to play Weatherwax

The Weatherwax golf course, the Airport, and Sunset Pool are all chump change compared to the MILLION DOLLARS that the city will lose this year because of the purchase of the “Downtown Folly Buildings”.

Also what happened to the Duncan Oil deal?

Neil Barille wrote: Vet, you love to assume everything is done with a secret handshake for the "country club pals" -- if these same people can afford to swim at a country club why wouldn't they just use the country club golf course?  From what I've seen at Weatherwax, the clientele is decidely middle class, for the most part.

I do get a kick out of seeing the wealthy get kicked in the teeth whenever I can. Kind of a "Robin Hood" type guy, wanting to see the "robbing of the rich to feed the poor (actually, middle class now)". Also like to watch news to see stories about the "Bernie Madoffs" and the "Leona Helmsleys" of the world getting knocked down a peg or two. Good observation Neil! Don't like silver spooners.

Weatherwax can't possibly be a course for the middle class. The spider says he plays there..... .....and that puts the clientele in high cotton.    More than likely, the city has their favorites in the middle class too. The friends of city hall are not all high rollers.

lol vet--WWax is most definitely an all-class facility and a fine one at that. One of the best attractions in the area.

That the golf course is going into the hole seems to be driving a wedge into the community.  If we can't iron this out soon, someone may have a stroke.  The city better pitch a plan to iron this out in a fair way before things get rough!!!   

Mike_Presta wrote: That the golf course is going into the hole seems to be driving a wedge into the community.  If we can't iron this out soon, someone may have a stroke.  The city better pitch a plan to iron this out in a fair way before things get rough!!!

I like it Michael Throckmorten Presta the Third!!!! I wish to take this time, to nominate you for the position of spokesperson for city council since they have no "communication specialist" and the school board does in the person of Alberico. She will be paid ~ $65,000 per year and you will get nothing and like it, Spaulding!

golf courses are NOT a service Cities should provide.

Why should the taxpayers pay for this? I could give a hoot about the golf course.Let Mayor Mullethead and his cronnies pay for it. Im sure his buddies at AK will help him out.

The pools serve no purpose for you because you play golf. I less than compelling argument for keeping WW open.

Forget the pool.  All it has become is a haven for a dwindling number of Section 8 kids to cuss, fight and run amok.  Is this what we want more of at Sunset? 

 The pool is need of repair, big time. Leaks and quite alot of  plumbing issues.  Took my childern swimming when AK bailed out the city. The first year was Ok the sub-contractor running the pool was pretty tight, in fact my kids nicked named the manager the "Pool Nazi", had know problems giving people the boot. She lived in Middletown and openly admitted she had problems hiring people who wanted to work. Second & third year you could sense people didn't want to come. The weather certainly didn't help, but in this current economy how do you sign a contract and "Hope" you cover your cost.  The bigger picture, $450 for a car? Monthly. She can walk or hop on a bike or drive one of the many city cars I see parked during the work week. The system is BROKE and we have a over paid "Leader" and a council who believes in her.  Neyer anyone?  Lets fix the streets we already fixed. A pool would be nice but lets start over, keep the buildings and the pumps under cover but put a pool in that can be managed and is newer.  The dog park was only suggested and was looked into which did cost money but I think is a none issue.  Who is going to run for council?