Northwest Georgia Regional Commission officials show Rome commissioners a map of census tracts where Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds could be spent. Standing: David Howerin, Mike Miller and William Steiner. Seated: Commissioners Evie McNiece, Milton Slack, Sue Hamler Lee and Buzz Wachsteter. (Doug Walker, RN-T)
Commissioner Buzz Wachsteter, in a carefully crafted motion, agreed to allow a list that was proposed last week without input from elected officials, to be reviewed by the Department of Community Affairs during a meeting later this week.
The list, which was stripped of any prioritization, includes acquisition of the old McCall Apartments, 310 S. Broad St., the acquisition of property at 17 Etowah Terrace, the purchase of vacant property surrounding the old Curtis Packing Company on Pollock Street, the demolition of blighted structures in the South Rome and East Rome redevelopment areas, and acquisition of a couple of parcels on East 12th Street.
The Community Development Committee amended the list to include acquisition of an unspecified number of foreclosed single-family residential structures in eligible tracts throughout the city. Community development consultant Ron Sitterding said he has identified at least 56 foreclosed single-family structures that could meet NSP guidelines.
The committee also agreed to ask for additional funds for the demolition of eligible structures with an eye on a partnership with various agencies to redevelop single-family homes on those parcels.
The acquisition of the McCall Apartments, which in turn would be sold to Mercy Senior Housing for Phase Two of the Etowah Village complex, seems to have sparked the ire of several commissioners.
“What is the compelling reason for developing this list with no consultation with us?” asked Commissioner Buzz Wachsteter. “Why doesn’t Mercy just go ahead and buy it? Phase I is still in litigation and we could be left holding the bag on this monstrosity down there.”
David Howerin, Mike Miller and William Steiner from the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission attempted to assist the committee members in their discussion of eligible programs. Steiner made it clear that the Regional Commission was interested in developing a program where a revolving loan fund could be established to stretch the NSP dollars.
Steiner said if foreclosed properties were purchased, rehabilitated and then re-sold, those funds could go back into the account for the 15-county region and be re-used for eligible programs across the entire region. Local communities would benefit by getting the foreclosed properties improved and back on the tax rolls.
“Are you going to tell us what you want to do in our county?” Rome City Manager John Bennett asked. Steiner said that was not the case, but added that the money being considered now comes from a pool of unallocated funds that was originally earmarked for the entire region.
The Regional Commission officials will carry Rome’s expanded list to a meeting with Georgia Department of Community Affairs representatives later this week. After getting input from the state agency, city officials feel they will be in a better position to develop a final list of projects to be funded.
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Folks' money is collected to be spent. That's life. HOW it's spent is largely up to the taxpayers. If you, tullock, and the rest of Floyd County want your voices heard on how that spending is done, then VOTE that way. Floyd County appears to be run by "pols" who assume --rightly? wrongly? -- that our voters don't really know or care how money is spent.
If Floyd County really wanted to make a difference, it would vote that way. But our local power brokers are way ahead of you. They already know you don't know or care. Enjoy your lunch.