Weatherwax....again
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
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Printed Date: May 17 2024 at 9:12am
Topic: Weatherwax....again
Posted By: VietVet
Subject: Weatherwax....again
Date Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 6:44am
Journal story....
City outlines 5 options for Weatherwax
MIDDLETOWN —
City Council is asking for proposals from potential buyers for the city’s 42-year-old Weatherwax Golf Course in order to free up money in the budget.
The city’s 2014 approved budget calls for eliminating as many as 22 public safety positions — seven from the police department and 15 from the fire department — by 2015. About 70 percent of the city’s general fund is earmarked for public safety, and projections won’t allow for its workforce to be sustained.
SO, CAN'T SUSTAIN THE POLICE AND FIRE BUT CAN SUSTAIN POSITIONS IN THE CITY BUILDING? THE FOCUS ON CUTS SHOULD BE ON THE ENTIRE CITY GOVERNMENT, NOT JUST THE SAFETY FOLKS.
Because the city’s 2014 approved budget call for job reductions in public safety and other areas, and the city continuing to throwing hundreds of thousands of dollars at a golf course, “we believe this is an opportune time to examine priorities and options,” said Gilleland
THROWING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AT THE GOLF COURSE.....KINDA LIKE THROWING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AWAY ON YOUR DOWNTOWN DREAM, RIGHT GILLELAND? IF THROWING AWAY MONEY IS THE SUBJECT HERE, WHY JUST SINGLE OUT THE GOLF COURSE? WHY NOT INCLUDE YOUR DOWNTOWN MONEY WASTING PROJECT AND ALL THE OTHER MONEY PITS IN TOWN LIKE THE CITY REAL ESTATE INVESTMENTS. IF THIS CITY WERE TRUELY CASH STRAPPED AND WITH A TIGHT BUDGET, YA WOULDN'T BE PURCHASING REAL ESTATE AND THEN GIVING IT AWAY TO PEOPLE LIKE SUE WITTMAN AND JIM VERDIN AND YOU WOULDN'T BE LOANING MMF AND THE MOORMAN"S MONEY AND NOT DEMANDING IT BE PAID BACK. IF MONEY IS TIGHT, WHY AREN'T YOU BACKING DOWN ON SPENDING IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA AND ONLY CONCENTRATING ON SPENDING ON THE BASICS?
One of the recommendations by staff was to consider a property or income tax levy to help operate the golf course and the Robert “Sonny” Hill Jr. Community Center, which collectively are collectively subsidized by $550,000 to $600,000 a year.
ALRIGHT, WHY ISN'T THE ROBERT SONNY HILL CENTER BEING CONSIDERED FOR CUTBACKS AND DOWNSIZING FOR AFFORDABILITY? WHY JUST THE GOLF COURSE? LET'S REDUCE THAT $500,000-$600,000 COST ON THESE TWO SERVICES. A PROPERTY AND INCOME TAX IS A REAL BAD IDEA PEOPLE. WILL DRIVE EVEN MORE PEOPLE OUT OF HERE AND YOUR TAX BASE WILL SHRINK EVEN MORE. NO, IF YOU NEED REVENUE, FOR THE HUNDRETH TIME, GET SOME DAM COMPANIES IN HERE TO CREATE JOBS TO COLLECT CITY PAYROLL AND CORPORATE TAXES. STOP BEATING THE HELL OUT OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE LIVING HERE. WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY THE LARGE COMPANIES HAVE.
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I'm so proud of my hometown and what it has become. Recall 'em all. Let's start over.
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Replies:
Posted By: Vivian Moon
Date Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 9:49am
Posted by ThePruetts at http://www.journal-news.com/news/news/city-outlines-5-options-for-weatherwax/ncBps/#/comment/p1/c1604037/" rel="nofollow - 8:36 a.m. Dec. 5, 2013
The proposal presented to the Commission originated with Weber W. Sebald, past president of the Armco Steel Corp. and a member of its board of directors. With Armco Park no longer available, becoming the site of Miami University's Middletown Campus, Sebald called his banker friend, Russell Weatherwax Sr. He indicated he was ready to give the city $100,000 in securities to aid in the purchase of land for a large regional park.
Being an avid golfer, he had proposed that a golf course be included.
Weatherwax called City Manager Dan W. Kothe, asking for a meeting with him on "a matter of great importance that would certainly be of interest to the city," Kothe arranged the meeting with Bill Donham, chairman of the commission also in attendance. At the meeting, Weatherwax informed the two city officials of the desires of Sebald and of his intended gift. When the proposal went before the full commission, two member opposed it, but after considerable study, the commission agreed to accept the gift and proceed with the land acquisition.
In late 1964 an option was taken by City Solicitor Tilmon Ellison, to purchase 540 acres of land in the Elk Creek area. Ellison converted the Sebald securities to cash, and July 26, 1965, the section known as the Lovely farm was purchased, financed in part by an open space grant from the federal government. The land was obtained for $400 an acre, a very reasonable price in those days.
It was the intent of these donors to operate a golf course in perpetuity!
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Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Dec 05 2013 at 10:39am
Weatherwax currently has four courses for a total of 36 holes.
I am surprised that one of the options wasn't to reduce the number of courses from 36 to 18 and leave the other 18 as open space.
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