Letters to the Editor...
To the citizens and voters in Grove:
Recently published “letters to the editor” submitted by Bill Miller reveal one more example of what is wrong in Grove politics present day. Bill Miller, a Planning and Zoning Board Member appointed by Carolyn Nuckolls, is part of the group representing control in the city of Grove today. As a member of the planning and zoning board, Miller’s editorials are ethically and morally questionable. His letters to the editor, in both the Observer and the American, show no respect towards business leaders, retired persons who fly, community leaders in Grove, Grove voters and the candidates GrovePAC supports.
The inaccuracies and arrogance of his editorials reflect desperation and show how far the current and controlling power in city hall will go to retain this control! To correct Miller with the facts, GrovePAC is formed by business leaders and concerned Grove voters. Some of these individuals have had businesses and/or lived in Grove longer then one of the candidates for council has been alive. GrovePAC is a tool to keep voters informed of the issues; past, present and future. This tool allows supporters to participate free from persecution, discrimination and threats, which have taken place in past elections and over the last couple of years.
Their infatuation with the airport has deterred their thought process from the real issues facing Grove and/or is a poor attempt to corrupt the voters into believing that those who use the airport are trying to take over the city. This has been a trick they used in the last election sponsored by David Helms and is now being followed up by David Adzigian and his supporters, which includes Bill Miller. The group, as of March 19th, has even posted a sign near LOWE’S that reads, “GROVEPAC AIRPORTS 3 STOOGES”. It reflects on the kind of childish behavior that wants to retain control of Grove! To borrow a phrase from Jim Mills, it’s time for a “fact check”. Those who lease hanger land and are fortunate enough to have running water, sewer and gas pay the same amount for utilities as all other GMSA users in Grove. The price we all pay, however, is 30% higher city wide than almost every city in the state of Oklahoma! This is an issue David Adzigian says cannot be changed and that rates are scheduled to increase again in June of 07. We disagree and know that with proper management, proper billing and the purchasing of fuel at lower non-peak demand rates, rather then during peak demand periods, there are many possibilities. The group in control is hiding the truth from the voters because they have mismanaged billing and failed to charge Simmons (Fairland) for nearly $900,000.00 dollars in natural gas over the last 3 years. Meanwhile GMSA user rates were raised and the mismanagement practices of GMSA have been subsidized by Grove area consumers.
The issue has not been limited to Bill Galletly. The real issue is the current council, GMSA and GIDA controlled by Helms, Nuckolls and Ryan. Their lack of backbone to do the right thing for all of the Grove residents has compromised the spirit of this community!
Troy Kyman
Chairman GrovePAC
506 Industrial Rd
Grove, OK
To the Editor:
Thank you for publishing the answers to the Chamber’s questions for the candidates for the Grove City Council.
In regards to the downtown, I did want to clarify for the public the question of possibly using tax increment financing (TIF).This would NOT be a new or additional tax for the community. This financial tool is used by many communities across the country including in Oklahoma. A TIF district is used to provide financing for an area in need of improvement. The monies are derived from the increase in value of the real estate in the district. For example, each of our local downtown buildings has an appraised value for property taxes. As the downtown improves and becomes a desirable area for business, new or rehabilitated buildings will over time increase the property values of this area. The increased tax revenues over the base, is the tax increment. It is NOT an additional tax. The TIF money could be used to pay for improvements or maintenance of the public areas such as for more parking, maintaining sidewalks, a park or landscaping within the district.
TIF creates funding for public projects that may otherwise be unaffordable to communities. Shawnee and Tecumseh, Oklahoma use a TIF for their downtowns. Durant used it to finance infrastructure improvements for a large manufacturing plant to locate in their community. Norman has also used this method of financing as has many other Oklahoma communities.
As Grove moves ahead in the future, it is important to find ways to finance improvements without adding new municipal taxes to the general public. Tax increment financing may be helpful for our community. Our city council should make that decision after further study.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Stout, D.C. Chairman,
Downtown Revitalization Committee
Recently published “letters to the editor” submitted by Bill Miller reveal one more example of what is wrong in Grove politics present day. Bill Miller, a Planning and Zoning Board Member appointed by Carolyn Nuckolls, is part of the group representing control in the city of Grove today. As a member of the planning and zoning board, Miller’s editorials are ethically and morally questionable. His letters to the editor, in both the Observer and the American, show no respect towards business leaders, retired persons who fly, community leaders in Grove, Grove voters and the candidates GrovePAC supports.
The inaccuracies and arrogance of his editorials reflect desperation and show how far the current and controlling power in city hall will go to retain this control! To correct Miller with the facts, GrovePAC is formed by business leaders and concerned Grove voters. Some of these individuals have had businesses and/or lived in Grove longer then one of the candidates for council has been alive. GrovePAC is a tool to keep voters informed of the issues; past, present and future. This tool allows supporters to participate free from persecution, discrimination and threats, which have taken place in past elections and over the last couple of years.
Their infatuation with the airport has deterred their thought process from the real issues facing Grove and/or is a poor attempt to corrupt the voters into believing that those who use the airport are trying to take over the city. This has been a trick they used in the last election sponsored by David Helms and is now being followed up by David Adzigian and his supporters, which includes Bill Miller. The group, as of March 19th, has even posted a sign near LOWE’S that reads, “GROVEPAC AIRPORTS 3 STOOGES”. It reflects on the kind of childish behavior that wants to retain control of Grove! To borrow a phrase from Jim Mills, it’s time for a “fact check”. Those who lease hanger land and are fortunate enough to have running water, sewer and gas pay the same amount for utilities as all other GMSA users in Grove. The price we all pay, however, is 30% higher city wide than almost every city in the state of Oklahoma! This is an issue David Adzigian says cannot be changed and that rates are scheduled to increase again in June of 07. We disagree and know that with proper management, proper billing and the purchasing of fuel at lower non-peak demand rates, rather then during peak demand periods, there are many possibilities. The group in control is hiding the truth from the voters because they have mismanaged billing and failed to charge Simmons (Fairland) for nearly $900,000.00 dollars in natural gas over the last 3 years. Meanwhile GMSA user rates were raised and the mismanagement practices of GMSA have been subsidized by Grove area consumers.
The issue has not been limited to Bill Galletly. The real issue is the current council, GMSA and GIDA controlled by Helms, Nuckolls and Ryan. Their lack of backbone to do the right thing for all of the Grove residents has compromised the spirit of this community!
Troy Kyman
Chairman GrovePAC
506 Industrial Rd
Grove, OK
To the Editor:
Thank you for publishing the answers to the Chamber’s questions for the candidates for the Grove City Council.
In regards to the downtown, I did want to clarify for the public the question of possibly using tax increment financing (TIF).This would NOT be a new or additional tax for the community. This financial tool is used by many communities across the country including in Oklahoma. A TIF district is used to provide financing for an area in need of improvement. The monies are derived from the increase in value of the real estate in the district. For example, each of our local downtown buildings has an appraised value for property taxes. As the downtown improves and becomes a desirable area for business, new or rehabilitated buildings will over time increase the property values of this area. The increased tax revenues over the base, is the tax increment. It is NOT an additional tax. The TIF money could be used to pay for improvements or maintenance of the public areas such as for more parking, maintaining sidewalks, a park or landscaping within the district.
TIF creates funding for public projects that may otherwise be unaffordable to communities. Shawnee and Tecumseh, Oklahoma use a TIF for their downtowns. Durant used it to finance infrastructure improvements for a large manufacturing plant to locate in their community. Norman has also used this method of financing as has many other Oklahoma communities.
As Grove moves ahead in the future, it is important to find ways to finance improvements without adding new municipal taxes to the general public. Tax increment financing may be helpful for our community. Our city council should make that decision after further study.
Sincerely,
Larry E. Stout, D.C. Chairman,
Downtown Revitalization Committee
posted by Editor | 2:06 AM
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