This is a comment from Susan Guest regarding the meeting tonight of the Board of Supervisors, in which Mr. Baughan will report on the progress of the Economic Development Authority. It refers to the invitation to speak at the work session:
Regarding the possibility of asking questions of Mr. Baughan, Susan says:
“I was assured in writing that the three page resolution and one page detailing ‘costs’ was all the documentation that existed in response to the following FOIA request:
FOIA request: “Please provide all written documentation which details ‘costs’ associated with turning the Hudson farm into an operating industrial park as well as all documents that demonstrate the County’s and/or Economic Development Authority’s ability to repay all financial obligations incurred in conjunction with ‘Project Clover.’
‘Costs’ are defined below. Documents in support of ‘ability to repay’ would include commitments on the part of third parties for grant funding, lease or other financial arrangements with tenants, and all other sources of funds anticipated to ensure the County’s and/or Economic Development Authority’s financial obligations concerning Project Clover are met. Please also provide all documents detailing contingency funding sources as might be required through ’stress test’ analysis. An example of ’stress test’ is provided in ‘Purchase Agreement’ when the sale of the land is presumed to satisfy any balance owed Ms. Hudson in the event of default. Please provide the documentation in support of the sale of the land being capable of satisfying any outstanding monies owed her – for example, recent real estate comps that support the ability to obtain $6.5MM from the sale of the land – as well as documentation as to next steps should sale of said land not satisfy any outstanding balance.”
Note: The response to this request consisted of a one page list of costs of the land, totalling $11.8M with the infrastructure buildout. PLUS, a 3-page resolution of the Board of Supervisors saying they would support the purchase.
This means that if I did not receive information in support of any of the above, that it does not exist. (In other words, a FOIA request must be answered legally, so if the documents were not provided, it is safe to assume they do not exist.) I suppose the only surprise is the $11.8MM pricetag but there’s no need to worry about payment because the Board supports the EDA’s project and the Board has been repeatedly told that taxpayer funds will not be used to pay for the project. (This was meant to be tongue- in- cheek sarcasm, in case it isn’t clear. It should be made clear that just because the Board was told no taxpayer money would be used, can not make it so. If there is no source of commercial funding, THEN taxpayer money WILL be used. )
Now you’ve been told what is good for Page County and how it will be achieved so don’t burden yourself with details or worry. You’ve also been told that you are ‘unpatriotic’ if you do not support the plan – right out of Goebbel’s (whoops ) playbook! Wands will be waved to help you sleep well, and Authorities and Supervisors Will Make It So. Heckuvajob, Brownie!! But no one could have anticipated…we underestimated, we didn’t know…y’know, the kinda stuff that lands the commoner in jail…but lets Authorities walk with a shrug toward apology…
It’s too painful for me to see eloquently delivered, authoritarian ’shut ups’ that silence questions and put down the questioner so that they stop asking…I have a lot of experience in this arena and am sad to bear witness to it again and so won’t.
There’s a person or two who don’t like Kool Aide in every crowd. Pay close attention to what happens to them on their journey to Truth.
Susan Guest
Alice’s comment: It is not enough to be told something is so. If there are no snow clouds, there will be no snow. If there is no commercial project, there will be no money to pay for this venture, and YOU, the taxpayer, will be left holding the bag. When it happens, you will hear the Board say, “oh, gee, we could not have anticipated.” THAT is bull crap. It is that simple. Mr. Baughan, I have no more questions for you. The information has been delivered. It was ZILCH.
