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Stafford defers action on CIP
Stafford defers action on CIPDate published: 10/17/2007 BY KAFIA HOSH Last year, Stafford County voters overwhelmingly rejected a bond referendum that included a $35 million aquatic and recreational fitness center. And last night, residents lambasted the Board of Supervisors for trying to include the center in its Capital Improvement Program, a five-year revitalization effort to upgrade county services, equipment and buildings. So, after a nearly two-hour-long discussion, the board voted 6-1 to defer the entire CIP to a committee that will decide which items should go into a bond referendum, and which items to move forward with. Falmouth District Supervisor George Schwartz cast the dissenting vote. "I can't abide to this level of commitment without the voice of the citizens," said Supervisor Pete Fields, who represents the George Washington District and who first suggested deferring the CIP. During the public hearing, some residents were irate that the CIP included the indoor recreation center voted down in the bond referendum last year. "After a majority of voters said 'no,' now it's just four of you to decide?" asked Stafford resident Dean Fetterolf. "It was voted down by the public, I don't see how you can add it back in," added another concerned resident. Bob Woodson, an Aquia Harbour resident and Democratic candidate for supervisor, criticized the projects outlined in the CIP, including the indoor pool. "The CIP is not a personal slush fund for supervisors to dip into for whatever projects they fancy," Woodson said. But Board Chairman Jack Cavalier noted that the 80,000-square-foot indoor center was always part of the CIP, and would include other facilities such as basketball courts and a weight room. "I just think people are misconstruing this tremendously," he said. The CIP effort is being paid for with a bond worth about $330 million over five years. It leaves about $870,000 of the county's borrowing limit. Other items included in the CIP was an upgrade to the Smith Lake fields, a new radio communications program for the police, fire and rescue departments and a firefighters training facility. The Smith Lake fields are in a poor condition of exposed dirt, rocks and patches of dry grass. Through CIP funding, the two fields could be transformed into synthetic turf facilities.
Date published: 10/17/2007
Hiding from the public eye
(posted by
roch
, Oct. 17, 2007 7:43 pm)
Chairman Jack Cavalier has called for a special meeting of the Board on October 24 at 5:30 to vote on the CIP resolutions for the next year. CIP still includes Smith Lake Park synthetic turf soccer fields....
Guys
(posted by
patrick4hp
, Oct. 17, 2007 4:23 pm)
Can't we just wait and see if the new YMCA off Mt. View road takes off. It's pretty much funded, wish it would be built faster, but trying to get another pool built just seems wasteful until it opens. Then build another pool and rec center when demand grows.
I rarely agree with Dean....
(posted by
Justice1
, Oct. 17, 2007 12:43 pm)
but i have to say his speaking last night hit the point on the head..........Good Job Dean Fetterholf!
Please
(posted by
MtMav
, Oct. 17, 2007 10:42 am)
As reported in the FLS, on 7 Nov. 2006, the Staff voters resoundingly defeated the "Parks and Rec Bond" referendum by a *landslide* margin of 59.99% to 40.01%. The sentiments of Fetterolf and Woodson in the article and Talisman in his post below are correct. Mr. Cavalier (and all BOS members), please abide by the desires of the majority. There are other more pressing needs for the county vice swimming pools.
The BOS did the right thing
(posted by
DeanFetterolf
, Oct. 17, 2007 9:55 am)
I rarely praise our BOS. They did the right thing by sending this bloated spending package back to committee. Citizens will support well articulated, planned and prioritized county needs not supervisors wants. The BOS were given the wrong type of funding options and incomplete future costs (O&M). When Stafford runs out of water in 2-3 months any trickle of economic recovery or expansion will be frozen for years. There must be new revenue to pay for any new spending. Watch your wallet!
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