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UER Forum > Archived US: South > Point - Counterpoint (Viewed 639 times)
RobertB 


Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male


Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...

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Failing Senator visits Failed Hotel
< on 8/5/2008 11:31 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Sorry for the politics, but I can't help but get a little dig in on John Cornyn (R), the Bush yes-man junior US Senator from Texas (whose opponent, Rick Noriega (D), is an honest-to-God member of the Army National Guard). Seems he took a tour of the Baker, and made promises he can't deliver -- or if he can, he's corrupt as hell.

“Given the magnitude of the project, given the size of the community, the kind of spotty economic past, this was a tremendously difficult project to put together,” Howerton noted. The city manager explained that by having the support of the legislators working “in concert will hopefully allow us to pull together a project that is financially viable.”

According to the United States Department of Treasury’s Web site, the New Markets Tax Credit program “permits taxpayers to receive a credit against federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in designated Community Development Entities. Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities.”

What he [Cornyn] can do and said he’d do is put in a good word for us,” said Butcher. “Hunter Chase has put in an application for the tax credit. If they receive that allocation, it’ll certainly help this project.”

“I think the senator’s visit was an opportunity for him to actually see the Baker Hotel, get a feel for it. He got a better idea of the connection of the Baker to the community,” Howerton said. “I think the visit was very timely and indicative of support for the project in general.”

Translation: I've got friends, so if you donate to my failing campaign and print a big article in the local paper that doesn't mention my opponent (but does imply that McCain would be interested in Cornyn as a VP, which would be Dan "Potatoe" Quayle all over again), I'll get them to screw over some project in a blue state so you can fix your old hotel."

I'm all for restoring the Baker, and I think it would be a worthy expenditure of taxpayer funds, if done right. But Cornyn's "scratch my back, bitch" approach is just another example of what's wrong with big-money politics. And the local paper's fawning reporting is an excellent example of what's wrong with the supposed "liberal media".

But judge for yourself -- here's the full article at the Mineral Wells Index.

We now return to our regularly scheduled, apolitical discussion...

J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé.
Explorer Zero 






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Re: Failing spin on Senator's visit: Counterpoint
<Reply # 1 on 8/6/2008 1:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by RobertB
Sorry for the politics, but I can't help but get a little dig in on John Cornyn (R), the Bush yes-man junior US Senator from Texas (whose opponent, Rick Noriega (D), is an honest-to-God member of the Army National Guard). Seems he took a tour of the Baker, and made promises he can't deliver -- or if he can, he's corrupt as hell.


Translation: I've got friends, so if you donate to my failing campaign and print a big article in the local paper that doesn't mention my opponent (but does imply that McCain would be interested in Cornyn as a VP, which would be Dan "Potatoe" Quayle all over again), I'll get them to screw over some project in a blue state so you can fix your old hotel."

I'm all for restoring the Baker, and I think it would be a worthy expenditure of taxpayer funds, if done right. But Cornyn's "scratch my back, bitch" approach is just another example of what's wrong with big-money politics. And the local paper's fawning reporting is an excellent example of what's wrong with the supposed "liberal media".

But judge for yourself -- here's the full article at the Mineral Wells Index.

We now return to our regularly scheduled, apolitical discussion...



Wow thats a great interpretation you should work for the mainstream press!

Too bad its inaccurate. Or maybe thats how it really looks through clouded liberal eyes. The intelligent reader would conclude the a failing city asked for legislators to come visit and hope the government will prop them up seeking tax abatements. I must have missed the part where Cornyn asked for campaign money for himself.

“I think it could be very helpful,” Howerton said. “Whenever the concept of the new market tax credit was first discussed, one of the first things former mayor Holliman did was send letters to our representatives.”

Once the representatives’ aides were contacted, the city manager said they discussed the Baker Hotel project and the role the tax credit would play in helping the project achieve financial success.



Bottom line is if youre failing (economically or socially) ask the government to step in and level the field, even failures have the right to succeed.

I think Will Rogers or someone like that said "we arent getting as much government as we paid for"

Well I for one look forward to way more government support. My kitchen needs an overhaul and I have yet to be able to find funding to support my new in ground pool project so Im looking to taxpayers from Tyler, Oklahoma and New York to give me some federal tax relief. Tax and spend amigo tax and spend!

If this is such a worthwhile investment that the taxpayers in Houston and California should foot the bill how come some enterprising private sector guy cant cough up the chump change to restore the Baker and revitalize the booming economic powerhouse that downtown Mineral Well is entitled to be?

[last edit 8/6/2008 1:12 PM by Explorer Zero - edited 1 times]

Explorer Zero 






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Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 2 on 8/6/2008 1:21 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
RobertB's political slant on a well known local "abandonment" inspired me to start this thread. Since UER mods want us to shy away from political and religious discussions, why not use the forum to discuss some worthwhile topics (like RobrtB's) and if we keep the topic on urban exploration and locations in the South maybe Teh Man will cut us some slack and let the UER message board becomes something useful.

Or just go back to promoting your uber photography skills either way.

Now whos gonna start the first topic??

Government sell off of military facilities at cut rate prices? (open bids my ass)

Trinity River Project? Ft Worth? c'mon you know you want to discuss this.


Raticus 

Moderator


Location: Tyler
Gender: Male


Ratus exploricus abandonae

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 3 on 8/6/2008 1:37 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
TO THE OTHER MODS

Since I know the people in the south to be level headed, and since I moderate this section anyway, please don't move this thread because it may contain some political discussion. I'll be responsible for it and I will monitor it!

To the South members - I don't see a problem with it as long as the discussion relates to UE issues, like the Baker, or some other topic like 2X mentioned, though it may have a political issue tied to it.

If it melts down into a Red state/Blue state conservative/liberal shit fest, or simply a "politics" thread, I'll have to move it to a private board or close it. Ok, discuss.

PS> Kind of screwed up the order of the posts, but I merged the Baker thread with this one. Let's keep all this type stuff in one thread.
[last edit 8/6/2008 1:46 PM by Raticus - edited 1 times]

Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools speak because they have to say something.
Bustedknuckle 


Location: The Lone Star State
Gender: Male


"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 4 on 8/6/2008 1:56 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
What about the eagerness of Dallas bureaucrats to demolish anything historical thats vacant. This past year we have lost several great old buildings etc. Whats next the Knights of Pythias building? Or Deep Ellum as a whole? Personally I see the need for a new Walgreen's, CVS and a bunch of those 300K townhomes in that area. Right.

DART is a big player in the DEMO game. We'll have to wait and see what lies in the way of future rail lines. While I am a train fan and enjoy taking the rail, I suspect that DART will destroy many locations to come.

*in their defense though they did move my favorite RR depot instead of demolishing it.....after Carrollton stepped in*



"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
Barry Kooda 


Location: The Cliff
Gender: Male


Trees

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 5 on 8/6/2008 4:00 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
I want to rename Industrial Boulevard to Barry Kooda Boulevard.
Not that it really matters since I'm gonna call it that anyway.

My gripe is , with all sorts of local new development, there are lots of new streets to name for whatever fringe group needs one. Why not leave the existing streets alone? I vote change Industrial to Ross Avenue and vice versa...

OK Robert,
Here's the perfect place to post a link to Dallas Metropolis.

I'm a blatant waste of time and resources.
Imbroglio 


Location: DFW
Gender: Male


The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 6 on 8/6/2008 6:27 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by 2Xplorations


I must have missed the part where Cornyn asked for campaign money for himself.

Pleeeze...like he's actually gonna come out and ask for money, especially in the context of a publicity stunt like his Baker visit. He knows that all he has to do to enthuse the concerned local community is ACT like he's actually gonna do something about the Baker, and that's all it takes to get their support.


I think Will Rogers or someone like that said "we arent getting as much government as we paid for"

Reminds me of the quote, "Republicans always campaign on the idea that 'Government doesn't work', then they get elected and prove their point!"





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Explorer Zero 






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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 7 on 8/6/2008 7:30 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Bustedknuckle
What about the eagerness of Dallas bureaucrats to demolish anything historical thats vacant. This past year we have lost several great old buildings etc. Whats next the Knights of Pythias building? Or Deep Ellum as a whole? Personally I see the need for a new Walgreen's, CVS and a bunch of those 300K townhomes in that area. Right.

DART is a big player in the DEMO game. We'll have to wait and see what lies in the way of future rail lines. While I am a train fan and enjoy taking the rail, I suspect that DART will destroy many locations to come.

*in their defense though they did move my favorite RR depot instead of demolishing it.....after Carrollton stepped in*




Ok I'll tackle this one. For the sake of argument. Dallas claims to be the city that works. If you check the tax rolls you'll see that most abandonments are still paying property tax (at least its still owed) but they dont generate a dime in sales tax. In every quote un-quote progressive city Ive been to abandonments get dealt with pretty swiftly except in cases under litigation or environmental issues. In Ft Worth on the other hand... well go figure. Regressive ie retarded cities like M Wells? The only thing thriving there are gas stations so people that for whatever reason live there, can put enough gas in their trucks to get out of M Wells and go look for work somewhere that may actually have jobs!

Walgreens (and the CVS they will build across the street from it) generates tons more direct and indirect tax revenue than whats owed on the Old Knights of Pythias. Long story short boarded up nostalgic old buildings with questionable structural viability and no consumer appeal dont fuel the machine or pay the bills like convenience stores or big box retailers. Any city with a highly overpaid management team like Dallas is going to have a dozen action plans in place to make room for revenue generating businesses. If for no other reason to justify their overpaid salaries.

DART has case law on its side. They can and will gobble up anything they deem to be in their way or necessary for the public good regardless of tax implications or historical value. DART is its own little feudal government. Just check the new line going in. That stuff got condemned years before anyone knew DART was coming through.

Now on to the new business of deciding whether Industrial Boulevard or Ross Avenue should be named Barry Kooda Road. I vote Ross Ave since Barrys an artist and the Arts District is already located there. Well some of it is.

Additionally I propose we change the following street names:

Malcolm X Blvd will be known as Malcolm 2X Blvd

Northwest Hwy (which doesnt run northwest anyway I mean do we really need a street called East Northwest Hwy?) should be now called Sonic Bike Night Hwy

Harry Hines changes to Youwannadate Blvd

Hwy 190 should be The Bob Folsom Turnpike since he got rich off that land

Most obviously we need to change Elm St to Ellum St before we do anything else







[last edit 8/6/2008 11:02 PM by Explorer Zero - edited 2 times]

Barry Kooda 


Location: The Cliff
Gender: Male


Trees

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 8 on 8/6/2008 10:11 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Heh!
Ho-ry Hines...

I'm a blatant waste of time and resources.
Imbroglio 


Location: DFW
Gender: Male


The glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 9 on 8/6/2008 10:20 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Posted by Barry Kooda
Heh!
Ho-ry Hines...


I haven't been down that way in ages...I had heard that they had cleaned all the streetwalking up....not true?

http://www.noelkernsphotography.com
Bustedknuckle 


Location: The Lone Star State
Gender: Male


"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 10 on 8/6/2008 10:24 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Empire Central to Bomb Crater Avenue


Yeah all valid points X. Its all about the money, just a shame. The most endangered list is a joke. I hope that they can be saved of course.

This is really what Im saying

NO CITY DEMOLITION REVIEW FOR HISTORIC RESOURCES
Location: City-Wide
Threat: Demolition, Loss of Opportunity to Explore Reuse

The loss of such buildings as 2505 Turtle Creek Blvd and the 85-year old Haskell Avenue YWCA building have prompted the question, how can the city create a demolition review process for historically significant properties? Texas cities like San Antonio and Fort Worth have procedures in place that allow city preservation staff to review demolition applications for historic-age resources or properties recorded on local lists as having historic merit. The value of such a review allows knowledgeable city staff to consider the historical value of the property to its surroundings and the city. It also gives staff time to help the property owner explore alternatives to demolition and educate them of tax incentive programs that the property may qualify for. The City of Dallas Long Range Planning Division and city volunteers are already investigating possible solutions, but political support for such a review is necessary. Support for local landmark designation of highly significant properties is also needed since, in some cases, property owners object to historical designation or similar protection.

Heres the list. The above excerpt was quoted from the list.
http://www.preserv...tEndangered-08.php

"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
Barry Kooda 


Location: The Cliff
Gender: Male


Trees

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 11 on 8/7/2008 2:42 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 

Posted by Imbroglio


I haven't been down that way in ages...I had heard that they had cleaned all the streetwalking up....not true?

I don't think it's still like it was but the rep still lingers.



Posted by Bustedknuckle


The loss of such buildings as 2505 Turtle Creek Blvd and the 85-year old Haskell Avenue YWCA building have prompted the question, how can the city create a demolition review process for historically significant properties?


That one was tragic. I got an email from a member of Preservation Dallas saying they were trying to work a deal to save the place but it didn't look good. He asked if I'd get some photos and I said sure. He, of course, had to deny any knowledge of my actions but when I got in, there were two young workmen who were obviously uglying the place up. Tearing up molding, breaking individual windows in French doors, etc. Nothing that would help with the destruction but would make the place not worth saving in a last, ditch effort.
It was really sad. That was a beautiful old building.

I'm a blatant waste of time and resources.
Bustedknuckle 


Location: The Lone Star State
Gender: Male


"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 12 on 8/7/2008 5:06 AM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
Yeah that really was a great building. I saw your gallery Barry and I am glad you got it. Just look official right? lol

As far as Hines is concerned as of a year ago it still was pretty bad. I went to school near Love field and would take empire central over to maple sometimes to get there. Even at 5:45 in the morning they are out there. Very very nasty. Then when I got off work (at school) around 5:30 they would be out there again. It was always a 20ish black dude and 3 gross 30-40ish white women. I guess they stay at the no tell motel on the corner.....Manor House I think.

I still dont understand who would PAY to experience that......I dont know who would do it for free.


Regardless of how shitty Hines is, its still cool in some parts. Just a shame that Keller's hamburgers suck now.



*******cool, look at the new utility on the new post page at the bottom**********

"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
RobertB 


Location: Skeeterville, TX
Gender: Male


Maybe I shouldn't be using my real name...

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 13 on 8/7/2008 2:47 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
ooooooooops.

Sorry for the political forum hijack! I guess I was having a bad day. At least the discussion has taken a positive turn now.

Raticus, thanks for sticking up for us. For what it's worth, I won't be offended if my original post is deleted, restored, deleted again, and then the deletion deleted. And the deletion of the deletion deleted, too, for good measure.

J'ai toujours fait une prière à Dieu, qui est fort courte.
La voici: "Mon Dieu, rendez nos ennemis bien ridicules!"
Dieu m'a exaucé.
Bustedknuckle 


Location: The Lone Star State
Gender: Male


"I'd rather laugh with the sinners than cry with the saints"

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Re: Point - Counterpoint
<Reply # 14 on 8/7/2008 9:56 PM >
Posted on Forum: UER Forum
 
If thats your bad day.......then you do better than me .

"It's not a fanny pack, it's an exploring pouch!"
-"Yes it is, it has fanny written all over it"
UER Forum > Archived US: South > Point - Counterpoint (Viewed 639 times)



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