War Memorial Commission Passes Resolution Supporting Aquatic Center
December 3, 2009 – 4:03 pmBy an 8-1 vote the War Memorial Commission voted to forward a resolution to the Greensboro City Council supporting the same financing option approved by the outgoing council needed to complete the Greensboro Aquatic Center.
More to come in a few minutes.
Update: Here’s a copy of the resolution. And yes, I was the lone dissenting vote. It’s not that I’m opposed to the Aquatic Center. I just can’t support the process. I began my closing comments with “I hope the Aquatic Center gets built”. Also, and I think I’m correct on this, due to Matt Brown’s contract he did not need a vote by this commission to proceed.
The original wording on the resolution was changed from “unanimous” to “majority” at my request. I felt it odd that a resolution would claim “unanimous” before a vote was taken.
I’ll predict the new council will make the same decision as the old council but that’s too close to call.
On another note Matt Brown was recognized for his 15 years as Coliseum manager today. For the record I’ve become a Matt Brown fan. I most often hear the word “visionary” when describing Matt. I would add the word “dedicated” and “passionate” in a coliseum kind of way. To make it through seven city councils is quite an accomplishment.
15 Responses to “War Memorial Commission Passes Resolution Supporting Aquatic Center”
As Gomer Pyle has often said, “Surprise! Surprise! Surprise!”
WMC has been appeared to be a Rubber Stamp for years. The vote against surprises me.
Personally, the coliseum should not have its hands involved in the pool. Pool patrons want free parking, year round access (not possible at coliseum) and inexpensive concessions. Folks used to paying $1 for a Hot Dog and 50 cent water at High School events are going to freak at the coliseum’s $3 hot dogs and $3 water. (Those High School prices are profitable and the profits can be seen being invested back into the school.)
By Don Moore on Dec 3, 2009
so now we have Matt Brown telling a lie to Dr. Wade at tuesday night’s special meeting that the War Memorial Commission has met and voted unanimously or however you say unanimous in the past.
But 2 days later they finally vote on the matter and it isn’t unanimous but 8-1.
Will Dr. Wade point out that Matt Brown got in front of council and lied to her face about meeting on the swim facility and talking about this issue. Only to vote on the matter 2 days later.
Nice one Matt Brown.
By triadwatch on Dec 3, 2009
Who was the lone dissenting vote?
By triadwatch on Dec 3, 2009
I went to the tape, Keith, and there does appear as if there might be a contradiction, Brown telling Wade that the WMC voted unanimously in support of the swim center. That sounds contrary to what Tony reports above, but he says that the 8-1 vote was specifically on a resolution in support of the FINANCING OPTION. There could have been a previous vote on the swim center itself. I have submitted a public records request for any commission minutes that report any votes taken regarding the swim center to see if that is the case. I will share them with you when I get them.
By Roch101 on Dec 3, 2009
Oh, I just read that Tony is on the Commission. Were there any previous votes, Tony, in which Commissioners voted on supporting the swim center?
By Roch101 on Dec 3, 2009
please do.
By triadwatch on Dec 3, 2009
To answer your question Roch, not to my knowledge, and I have not missed any meetings. One other point that I will stress, and I believe I am correct on this, is that Matt Brown had the authority to move ahead and did not need any vote by this commission to do so.
By Tony Wilkins on Dec 3, 2009
In the exchange with Wade, I thought MB said there hadnt been any official vote. And I thought he was talking about the Pool Advisory Committee not the WMA Commission? Am I confused?
By mick on Dec 3, 2009
mick, you have been confused ever since you put on your cheerleading skirt. if you want to see the exchange here is the link
http://greensboro.granicus.com/ViewPublisher.php?view_id=2
then proceed to the video of tuesday’s meeting and it is at the 1 hour 5 minutes and 25 seconds . Matt Brown completely lied to Greeensboro City Council member Dr. Wade .
By triadwatch on Dec 4, 2009
Thanks for the info and link. I see where I was confused as they talk about both groups and seem to get a little tangled up. But he definitely offers up info that is incorrect. But why he would purposely lie about 9-0 or 8-1 or if there was even a vote? Seems odd to me. I dont see a benefit to him in that.
I am sorry my advocacy for this facility has apparently caused you some level of consternation. Really no need to be a dick about it. I somehow thought that debate would be healthy. My bad. I guess if I had gone a Hoggard or Tony route all would be well.
Or perhaps stayed away from the inner sanctum of Gaurinoville?
By mick on Dec 4, 2009
Check the Triangle Business Journal website, particularly the May 8 archive. The lead line is “Drowing in debt, TAC wants Cary to buy facility”
Cary declined this request in a later article.
By ddr on Dec 4, 2009
I must add that I believe Hoggard and Tony and Gaurino to be very sincere in their public support, opposition, misgivings, etc in regards to this mess.
By mick on Dec 4, 2009
So Mick you admit this is a mess. I applaud your honesty. What is wrong with the city council stopping this potential train wreck, reassessing what the true costs and benefits are, then put it to a stand alone bond vote with the full cost and scope included? Let it not be hidden in another bond for Parks and Rec since it’s now a Coliseum project and not what the voters originally voted on?
Right now there’s a classic bait and switch going on. Pretty par for this town, but we voted for change and it would be consistent with that for the council to show some backbone on this and start it over.
By Roger Greene on Dec 8, 2009
Mick, do you remember when you and I debated this thing on another blog month’s ago? If you remember I said at that time that we simply could not afford it at this time? In years to come when and if we can afford it, I will be one of the first to vote for it! As of this time my vote will be the same as last, that will be NO, given the chance to do so…………
By Reece Coble on Dec 8, 2009
Roger,
Who doesnt think it is a mess? There is crap flying from every direction. Misinformation and disinformation abound. Im not sure anybody “out here” knows anymore what in the world is going on. Until a couple of days ago Gaurino was operating under the assumption that a pool wasnt even mentioned in the Park and Rec Bond at all! People who havent even seen the CVB study calling it pie in the sky and such. Wether it is or isnt I dont know but at least read the damn thing before launch. There is some understandable ignorance when it comes to competitive swimming I get that but I dont get chosen ignorance. A refusal of facts just because …
The extra money has to be figured out … yes, no, how to, how not to whatever. Im tellin ya a lesser facility will cost us just as much or more over time due to FAR lesser income and economic impact. But I can live with that. Of course, I could be wrong as I am no expert.
Most likely something is gonna get built. We need to decide what and when. The new council will take that on. Good for em. Might end up being a huge mistake for some of them politically. Only time will tell.
Reece,
There was no better time to build that pool than the late 90’s the first time around. A decent economy, private money, a partnership all those really cool knick knacks the opponants say we should have now … we had then. And guess what? The people still voted NO! Good for em. But you will excuse me if I am more than a little skeptical when I hear those kind of statements.
It will be interesting to see if they put the extra 6.8 million on a bond vote. The scenarios are endless. It passes and we get the facility and homeowners are stuck with the extra 6.8 million. It passes and the bid is now 25 million (obviuosly no problem if it is less). It fails and we cant get anything near what is needed for the remainin 10 million. It fails and we get a nice community facility suitable for practices and low level meets.
We shall all see soon enough. Some times I rant and I am an advocate but dont mistake that for disrespect.
By mick on Dec 9, 2009