In those movies nothing went quite right. Move the picture to Saratoga Street in downtown Suffolk where a fine organization wants to expand and put a second floor on the old A & P store. An architect made proper drawings and work began. Then trouble intervened, something was not quite right which prompted second thoughts about a second story on an old less than seaworthy building. Worse, the front began to cave in and emergency measures were taken to prevent it collapsing on the street. Work stopped and we believe there were discussions about demolishing before someone got hurt. Ah, but the Historical Society has something to say about that if there is any historical significance connected to an ancient A & P. Strange that there was no report in this morning’s SNH. There is no way all those reporters and reporter-ettes failed to see the pile of destruction even if they came in the back door. Surely there will be a story and pictures.
7 comments:
According to page 126 of the City Manager's proposed budget, the Suffolk Nansemond Historical Society wants another $10,000 of our tax dollars to promote their agenda. That's a good deal more than the $5,300 they received in 2008-9. Now to justify their purpose to remain on the city's dole is to suddenly make a former A&P Store the focus issue of the year. Well ladies, where were you when the Obici House was being discussed? Do we assume you accepted $10,000 as sit down and shut-up money, or are you only concerned with downtown and the rest of the city is inconsequential to your own personal agenda?
I don't know of any organization in Suffolk that's held in higher esteem than the SN Historical Society, and your little comment above shows you probably have more teeth than IQ points.
Well at least the writer has teeth. The previous budget clearly shows the SNHS has asked and received $10,000 in government handouts or welfare for the rich. Other than the occasional tour through the Great Dismal Swamp, how does this organization touted to be held in such "high esteem" benefit the public in any way? Why should they be funded with our taxes and not strictly private donations as a non-profit?
To clear the record, several historic high society ladies were indeed heard discussing the Obici House over margaritas and gumming down nachos at a local Mexican restaurant. You would think they should have patronized a downtown eatery in one of their precious historic buildings.
I noticed the license plate of the car in the photograph shows NJGOP. Hmmm, there is a liberal hiding in the photo shop catalog.
Remember the old saying; charity begins at home. Well not in Suffolk. When did it become the responsibility for local government to become another United Way clearinghouse? The City Manager's budget calls for $450K for the SCCA, $150K for SRHA, over $940K for membership, dues and local government organizations and almost $290K for the never ending chain of Nonprofit Organizations. These organizations started off with good intentions and a funding from private sources. They soon discovered the real bucket of money is the city coffers and focused their effort on milking the system rather than earning their means by fundraising. It's a lazy indifferent approach allowing the weight of government to forceably take from the public and give it to so called non-profits. I'm disgusted at these 26 local organizations cannot demonstrate fiscal independence and so should our city council.
I see in the budget $30,000 going to Suffolk Festivals. Tracking the revenue procedes from Peanutfest one doubts the city gets back their money back in taxes or fees? If the answer is no then there is no reason to continue to pour thousands of dollars into a losing enterprise. Sister Cities has been approved for another $5,000. That is on top of the handsome sum they receive from the Public School System. So how much in total does the Sister Cities receive?
Where is the critical mass when there are so many non-profits the city budget can no longer keep underwriting them? More and more come every year and the 26 are a mere representative sample of the incredible number of non-profits that would like to dip their hands into your pocket with the government's help. I applaud city council members that are trying to hold the line. They may be doing so for political rather than economic reasons, but heck that's all about Surprising Suffolk. Should you make a contribution be sure the non-profit is free of government backing. Folks it's time to be responsible.
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