Is a golf course a publicly funded necessity? That’s an obvious question, but not one taken seriously in Wilmington. They already have one course, and are prepping the next for opening soon. But they’re also spending another $700k to renovate the one they already have. Is that what citizens consider a high priority?
(PortCityDaily.com) Beatty said the first nine holes would receive focus in fiscal 2014 and the second nine in fiscal 2015, with the entire course back in form by July 2015. Each nine was estimated to cost $350,000, for the $700,000 total.
At the same time, staffers are noting revenues the course would lose during the closures. The downtime could add up to $509,000 not generated, that estimation representing half of what the course would make if it remained open as usual.
The issue here is simple. If this can be run as a private enterprise why shouldn’t it? The staff claims the course will be renovated with funds generated at the course. So be it, make it private, let it become a tax generator instead of a tax loss.
The John Locke Foundation has spent almost a decade illustrating that municipal courses are a bad idea. Here, here and here are but a few examples of their work on the matter.
Read full article » No Comments »After millions of wasted dollars, after unfulfilled promises of incinerators and after the countless fear mongering assertions that trash would pile up on the streets, become ridiculously expensive or that landfill space was about to run out, WASTEC is being dismantled. And guess what, life goes on!
(Star News) – New Hanover County staff requested the deconstruction of the Wastec stack and enclosed flues, and commissioners approved the proposal unanimously Monday. The proposal allows staff to proceed with deconstruction immediately, as long as the cost doesn’t exceed $300,000.
At the time of its closing the facility was losing approx. $500k in taxpayer dollars a month.
Kudos to the county commission for taking a serious look at solutions on this matter rather than pandering to fear.
Read full article » No Comments »