Sean.Cummings@brunswickbilliards.com wrote:
Dave,
Again we agree with each other on more elements than we disagree. I believe that we must invest some money to create the facilities where our kids and adult residents can get better physical education and recreational opportunities. Did you know that the students are not allowed to use the fields during their free time (lunch) because the fields cannot take the wear and tear, not a problem with turf.
Where we disagree is that I believe that keeping pace, to some extent, with the Jones's is a necessity whether selling a house, sandwiches or communities. Few people want to buy a home with an outdated kitchen, dirty carpets and substandard wiring. We invest in acedemics because it is the right thing to do and because it sells the community, we invest in the downtown business district because it creates draw. Why are school facilities any different? A community must remain competitive or it will fall behind.
In the end, I take this position. something must be done with these facilities as they are crumbling and unsafe. It is my belief that the Schools will have to come out and ask for more money to bring these up to current safety and regulation standards and spend something around $500K in new money either way. Why not spend that same amount of taxpayer money now, leverage the private donations and get a facility that has more ammeniteis, features and use for residents of all ages?
Since noboby can prove that facilties sell or don't sell, why not error on the safe side and agree that it is highly unlikely that nice facilities hurt your cause if they do not result in an additional tax burden. Since we will have to spend similar money in the very near future anyway on a band aid approach why not leverage the private contribution that is available now and get something that is more than a stop-gap solution.
MY RESPONSE TO SEAN
Hi Sean,
You hit the nail on the head when you wrote " Few people want to buy a home with an outdated kitchen, dirty carpets and substandard wiring "
I wouldn't go so far as to say that is the typical condition of Shorewood's housing stock, but residential housing IS THE KEY to increasing Shorewood's base of families --- and school kids.
As you know, Shorewood has an inordinate percentage of duplexes --- and for the most part, they have reached a stage of obsolescence. Inefficient furnaces, hot water heaters, insufficient insulation, old electrical, galvanized plumbing, etc ...... Also for the most part, they are usually two bedroom only.
If you look at some of my past blog postings, I have gone into the residential issue several times, and have offered suggestions.
You bring up the money spent on the commercial aspects in Shorewood --- and I would challenge anyone to show that it has been spent wisely, and has attracted new business to Shorewood. The BID district paying for a bike race, or an artwalk, does not attract new businesses. Actually new businesses are attracted to a place where people will buy the wares or services -- and if our residential is strong, so will the local businesses be strong.
If SHS does not allow the kids on the fields now --- when maintenance is dirt and grass seed --- (and yes, grooming for track, etc) -- because they say they cannot keep it up ----- imagine what will happen when we have artificial turf !! Who is going to pay the upkeep on that ??
And if you think the maintenance issue is of little concern --- we are presently getting ready to tear down all the 10 year old light poles on North Oakland --- as they are now Junk !!
If you happened to hear about one of the Supreme Court rulings yesterday, you may be aware that the athletic fields may become no more important than the arrangement of the deck chairs on the Titanic, as she went down.
The Supreme Court ruling has thrown a wrench in the use of "race" in schooling equations --- putting the Chapter 220 Program at great peril.
A look at the Shorewood school district budget will tell you that without the 220 kids --- and other government money --- we will probably have to shutter one of the schools.
There is of course only so much energy and money to go around in the Village --- I think we need to slow down and make sure both are spent wisely.
Thanks
Dave
