July 20, 2015 City Council Meeting
I read the statement below at the July 20, 2015 City Council meeting. Since then an article based on my statement was written for the Desert Dispatch which you can read at this link: http://www.desertdispatch.com/article/20150722/NEWS/150729960
Small business is the engine that drives the American economy as well as the economy of most communities. It is small business that builds, delivers services, hires residents and then re-invests profits to start the process anew.
At our last meeting, I proposed reducing developer impact fees for small developers, those building five or fewer houses and those building industrial
projects smaller than 75,000 square feet. As I indicated last meeting, I believe Barstow needs new housing stock and the higher paying jobs offered by industry. Maybe my proposal would work…maybe not; but, if I’m going to fail, I would rather fail trying.
A lot of time was spend on what the effort could be called, not a waiver, but a reduction. I’m really not concerned with the words as much as I am with the impact. I want to make it cheaper for people to build.
Adding new housing stock provides an opportunity for people to move into new or larger homes, while freeing up older, smaller homes for first time home buyers looking for that starter home or those who would like to invest in rental property. Residential properties that have recently
been put on the market have sold fairly quickly. It seems that we have more buyers than housing available.
As we discussed at the last meeting, Barstow has not built a new home in 2 years, and those in our local construction industry could certainly use the work that would come from any building projects. Building homes benefits realtors, those in the mortgage industry, those who supply material and service to support building as well as the builders.
I do not believe anyone would seriously dispute that Barstow needs industrial jobs. While we can always use any new job; we have plenty of government jobs, retail jobs, and fast food jobs…what we are lacking are industrial jobs; the kind of jobs that pay a higher wage and allow people to improve their standard of living.
No one should be surprised by my proposal to reduce building fees after all when I ran for this office I talked about my belief that we need smaller government, lower taxes and fees, and less regulation. And I have worked on those issues since I was elected. Fees generally do not hold back the corporate builder, because they have deep pockets; but, fees can and do stop local people who are investing their life savings.
When local people build, Barstow residents get jobs. One of the most recent buildings put up here was built by Eb Muncy, who added square footage at 841 W. Main Street. All three spaces in the building are fully occupied. Eb also had plans to build a second building—but his experience dealing with city hall regulations and fees killed that project.
After our last meeting, a member of this Council told some members of the public that I advanced my proposal because I was trying to help a friend.
It is true that I have a friend who is working on an industrial project. His building plans have been submitted and his project is 100,000 square feet. My friend would not benefit from my proposal. In fact, when I discussed my idea with him his recommendation was that I propose a reduction in fees for projects smaller than 50,000 square feet. He did not ask me for any special consideration nor would he benefit from my plan.
When this council member said I was just trying to get a deal “for my friend the suggestion was that I lied to you in my presentation. I viewed it as a
suggestion that I am corrupt and was an attack on my integrity.
So let me be clear. I am not employed by any company. Aside from a small lot in Kentucky, the only property I own is the house I live in. When I ran for office I did not accept any campaign contributions from anyone and every dime I spent on my campaign come out of my own pocket. I owe no one…except each of you who live and work here.
I owe you my best effort. Every decision I make, every vote I cast is because I believe it will serve the greater good for Barstow. I am offended by the suggestion that I am doing anything other than giving this community, giving you, my best effort.
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Small business is the engine that drives the American economy as well as the economy of most communities. It is small business that builds, delivers services, hires residents and then re-invests profits to start the process anew.
At our last meeting, I proposed reducing developer impact fees for small developers, those building five or fewer houses and those building industrial
projects smaller than 75,000 square feet. As I indicated last meeting, I believe Barstow needs new housing stock and the higher paying jobs offered by industry. Maybe my proposal would work…maybe not; but, if I’m going to fail, I would rather fail trying.
A lot of time was spend on what the effort could be called, not a waiver, but a reduction. I’m really not concerned with the words as much as I am with the impact. I want to make it cheaper for people to build.
Adding new housing stock provides an opportunity for people to move into new or larger homes, while freeing up older, smaller homes for first time home buyers looking for that starter home or those who would like to invest in rental property. Residential properties that have recently
been put on the market have sold fairly quickly. It seems that we have more buyers than housing available.
As we discussed at the last meeting, Barstow has not built a new home in 2 years, and those in our local construction industry could certainly use the work that would come from any building projects. Building homes benefits realtors, those in the mortgage industry, those who supply material and service to support building as well as the builders.
I do not believe anyone would seriously dispute that Barstow needs industrial jobs. While we can always use any new job; we have plenty of government jobs, retail jobs, and fast food jobs…what we are lacking are industrial jobs; the kind of jobs that pay a higher wage and allow people to improve their standard of living.
No one should be surprised by my proposal to reduce building fees after all when I ran for this office I talked about my belief that we need smaller government, lower taxes and fees, and less regulation. And I have worked on those issues since I was elected. Fees generally do not hold back the corporate builder, because they have deep pockets; but, fees can and do stop local people who are investing their life savings.
When local people build, Barstow residents get jobs. One of the most recent buildings put up here was built by Eb Muncy, who added square footage at 841 W. Main Street. All three spaces in the building are fully occupied. Eb also had plans to build a second building—but his experience dealing with city hall regulations and fees killed that project.
After our last meeting, a member of this Council told some members of the public that I advanced my proposal because I was trying to help a friend.
It is true that I have a friend who is working on an industrial project. His building plans have been submitted and his project is 100,000 square feet. My friend would not benefit from my proposal. In fact, when I discussed my idea with him his recommendation was that I propose a reduction in fees for projects smaller than 50,000 square feet. He did not ask me for any special consideration nor would he benefit from my plan.
When this council member said I was just trying to get a deal “for my friend the suggestion was that I lied to you in my presentation. I viewed it as a
suggestion that I am corrupt and was an attack on my integrity.
So let me be clear. I am not employed by any company. Aside from a small lot in Kentucky, the only property I own is the house I live in. When I ran for office I did not accept any campaign contributions from anyone and every dime I spent on my campaign come out of my own pocket. I owe no one…except each of you who live and work here.
I owe you my best effort. Every decision I make, every vote I cast is because I believe it will serve the greater good for Barstow. I am offended by the suggestion that I am doing anything other than giving this community, giving you, my best effort.
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