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| Post By: |
Francis J. (Fran) Scott
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| Post Date: |
6/28/2007 4:23:10 PM |
| What shall our approach be to the residential/commercial split in development? |
| Choice # 1 - Increase our Non-Residential Tax Base from the current 11.3% to something closer to the 36.9% Kentucky avg., or, Choice # 2 - Increase Residential Taxes, or Choice # 3 Reduce Local Government Services/Costs. I prefer Choice #1. |
| What shall be our position in encouraging destination tourism? |
| Encourage it, provided that the type of destination tourism is compatible with community values, appropriate land-uses and sensible economic and environmental impacts. Historic downtown LaGrange is good; tractor-pulls and demolition derbies are not good. |
| What should we be doing regarding the public ownership of land? |
| We need to have enough public revenue and staff to better maintain and operate our existing public lands before we acquire more lands. If we cannot properly manage certain lands we already have, the public should sell those lands to a private entitiy who can do a better job than the public. |
| What should our reserve policy be? |
| Perhaps a reserve policy similar to that followed by public school districts (OCBE is a successful model) should be adopted. |
| What should we be using our substantial bonding capacity for? |
| Use it for development of community infrastructure, in accordance with an annually updated Capital Improvement Plan, and in response to the Area Development Plans mandated in our Comprehensive Plan. We've already said this, but we're not getting it done. |
| Which utilities should remain strictly Oldham County utilities? |
| None. Local utility companies are politically based, and as such, are inherently problemmatic economically and environmentally. Water and Sewer should be under the same utility authority based on regional watersheds, not political boundaries. |
| What does Oldham County see as the future of its parks? |
| Adequate lands and recreational facilities, well operated and maintained, are a MUST. First,improve planning; Second, build program and facility-use partnerships with schools, churches and OCYMCA; Third, secure more funding; Fourth, enhance staffing, facilities and maintenance; last acquire more parks. |
| Is there really a vision for a unified Oldham County or is it always going to be a divided group of citizens? |
| The vast majority of Oldham Countians are happy they are here and don't want to lose what they have. However, it's unrealistic to expect clear articulations of future visions to come from the general public. That's why we have leaders like Judge Murner to 'paint us a picture' and 'raise the bar.' |
| How do we pay for our grand vision? |
| We've learned how Cool Springs, TN got it done. There, and in other analog communities of merit, economic development (carefully controlled) was a big part of the answer. Two common principles seems important - 1) Americans will pay for quality, and 2) Plan the work, then work the plan. |
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| Post By: |
Paul Clinton
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| Post Date: |
6/28/2007 12:29:01 PM |
| What shall our approach be to the residential/commercial split in development? |
| You can't force commercial development just because you want investment in property that you can tax. Since this is a "bedroom community" the people who reside here will have to pay enough tax to provide the services they desire.
Cut costs for nonessential services or raise property tax. |
| What shall be our position in encouraging destination tourism? |
| To the best of my knowledge the only destination in Oldham County that would attract a tourist from outside the County is Yew Dell Gardens. I don't think the County government is, or should be,in the business of building tourist destinations. |
| What should we be doing regarding the public ownership of land? |
| Buying land for a better park system. Also, the parks and other public lands and buildings should have the best landscaping and natural resource management available. Current landscape management is pathetic. |
| What should our reserve policy be? |
| Only use reserves if an emergency or disaster arise. Any reserve will quickly be tapped out if used for day to day operations. |
| What should we be using our substantial bonding capacity for? |
| Don't borrow money unless the project to be invested in will provide a very good rate of return. Be very very prudent. |
| Which utilities should remain strictly Oldham County utilities? |
| None. Let the free market dictate who delivers water etc.. |
| What does Oldham County see as the future of its parks? |
| Please revisit the Interurban Greenway Master plan which we paid $75,000 for and was thrown out the window at a Fiscal Court meeting without one question being asked by any magistrate as to why. This should be the backbone of a trail system linking every community and every park in the county. |
| Is there really a vision for a unified Oldham County or is it always going to be a divided group of citizens? |
| Only with a strong leader at the helm convincingly articulating a vision and plan for the future. |
| How do we pay for our grand vision? |
| By tapping the considerable wealth of the citizens by forming partnerships with groups(non-profits)of citizens that will work to achieve specific worthy goals. If a project is worth doing, people will donate their time and money to make it happen. Tap into every possible support grant from the State and Federal governments. |
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| Post By: |
Barbara C. Eaton
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| Post Date: |
6/12/2007 8:52:10 PM |
| What shall our approach be to the residential/commercial split in development? |
| Allow residents to vote on all projects that can impact their property. County government should stop imposing/forcing issues. |
| What shall be our position in encouraging destination tourism? |
| Oldham can excel at this and many believe this will bring a lot of money as well as businesses catering to tourism. |
| What should we be doing regarding the public ownership of land? |
| Nothing. We are America, not a facist state. |
| What should our reserve policy be? |
| We should have one but there is a dire need of compentent money management. What is presently happening is shameful. |
| What should we be using our substantial bonding capacity for? |
| Honestly, am uncertain what question is asking. If it is the issuance of bonds to raise money, Oldham does not appear ready for that kind of financial instrument. |
| Which utilities should remain strictly Oldham County utilities? |
| The only utility I have is water and I prefer Louisville water as Oldham can taste really bad at times. I do not want anything strictly Oldham in the utility area. |
| What does Oldham County see as the future of its parks? |
| Hopefully more which are well planned and safe. |
| Is there really a vision for a unified Oldham County or is it always going to be a divided group of citizens? |
| We need competent, unselfish leadership. It is our leadership that has divided the people. Folks have a lot invested in their property and way of life; they will protect their investment. |
| How do we pay for our grand vision? |
| Investors, grants, and intelligent money management. |
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| Post By: |
Porter
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| Post Date: |
6/8/2007 9:24:14 PM |
| What shall our approach be to the residential/commercial split in development? |
| Request for re-zoning in areas where there are nearby established residential developments should be prohibited, if not approved by majority (66% min)of property owners.
Strict guidelines must be developed and administered.The notification process should be thorough and forewith, bearing pertinent information to all property owners involved. The expense should be the responsibility of the requestor/developer. No county funds should be used for this purpose. |
| What shall be our position in encouraging destination tourism? |
| Business/tourism promotion should be solely the expense of the business owner. County should support business/tourism, but not monetarily. |
| What should we be doing regarding the public ownership of land? |
| Expertise to market the sell of public owned land should be obtained. Contracts with professional real estate firms, land brokers, etc should be established to accomplish the best opportunity/value for the county residents. |
| What should our reserve policy be? |
| This question is not specific enough to be considered. But, it is an example of the vagueness that occurs far too often, such as the "re-zoning notification signs" that are placed in areas that cannot be clearly seen. (i.e. signs too small, hidden behind bushes, out of the sight line of passing motorist, placed in non-pedestrian or dimly lit areas, etc.) |
| What should we be using our substantial bonding capacity for? |
| Experts in this area should be sought out and consulted.
After consultation, a plan should be implemented by elected officials. Detailed plans shall be a matter of public record. |
| Which utilities should remain strictly Oldham County utilities? |
| It is the responsibility of the elected officials to find options. (i.e. investigate, ask questions, what are similar counties doing?). |
| What does Oldham County see as the future of its parks? |
| Oldham County parks should remain maintained and expanded upon for all residents to enjoy. |
| Is there really a vision for a unified Oldham County or is it always going to be a divided group of citizens? |
| No. |
| How do we pay for our grand vision? |
| Is a grand vision really needed? We live in a democracy. Majority rules. As long as everyone has a voice/vote....what is the issue? |
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| Post By: |
Krista Boerrigter
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| Post Date: |
6/8/2007 8:01:35 AM |
| What shall our approach be to the residential/commercial split in development? |
| we need to attract more commercial in order to develop a stronger tax base. Residential growth has been out of control resulting in ruining the "rural" landscape,overcrowding of schools & roads, overburdening the emergency crews.... |
| What shall be our position in encouraging destination tourism? |
| tourism generates dollars. Therefore whatever opporutunities there are, they should be promoted. |
| What should we be doing regarding the public ownership of land? |
| keep lots of green areas. Excellent way to generate dollars and have green space is through community recreation (soccer in particular)areas where tournaments can be played. |
| What should our reserve policy be? |
| unknown |
| What should we be using our substantial bonding capacity for? |
| unknown |
| Which utilities should remain strictly Oldham County utilities? |
| unknown |
| What does Oldham County see as the future of its parks? |
| generating dollars via hosting tournaments |
| Is there really a vision for a unified Oldham County or is it always going to be a divided group of citizens? |
| seems that there is a marked division between large land owners/developers and the majority of residents. |
| How do we pay for our grand vision? |
| higher fees for developers, higher charge for building permits, develop stronger commercial base, revenues generated via athletic tournaments |
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