"A small leak will sink a great ship." -- Ben Franklin

Council ends taxpayer subsidies for RedGate Golf Course; votes 5-0 to outlease management to private firm!

In a win/win decision, Mayor and Council approved outleasing the golf course to Billy Casper Golf, one of the largest golf management companies in the country.

This is a big win for taxpayers because Billy Casper Golf will operate the golf course with ZERO TAXPAYER SUBSIDIES, saving taxpayers approximately $900,000 per year.

It's also a win for golfers, who will be able to continue to play RedGate.

Thanks to Councilmembers Gajewski and Pierzchala for holding firm against continued subsidies and breaking down three years of opposition by golfers, Mayor Marcuccio, and Councilmember Newton to any cost reductions.

Thanks also to Councilmember Britton for holding out for the lease option, and to Burt Hall and other City staff for finding a great deal for all sides on the issue.

RedGate's Financial Performance Declines Precipitously in FY 2011.

Deficit increases to $717,446, excluding taxpayers' subsidy of $2.4 million to retire RedGate's debt.

Number of rounds played drops by roughly 4,500, falling to less than 28,000, less than half the levels in the late 1990s. (read more . . .)

Wasting Taxpayers' Money To Subsidize Golf?

When the City agreed to establish RedGate Golf Course, golfers agreed to pay all of its expenses and not to saddle taxpayers with any of the cost.

redgate debt small (10K)

Yet, over the past decade, taxpayers have been dunned for $3 million to subsidize the golf course.

Over the next 5 years, the City says we are expected to provide another $3 million in subsidies.

Last year, taxpayers paid about $27 for each round of golf!

Incredibly, an NGF study prepared for the City suggests that 60% of that subsidy went to golfers who live outside the City and do not pay City taxes!

(read more . . .)

Trash Update

Five straight years of great service without a fee increase, saving homeowners $100 each year. Read about RockTrash's role in making this happen.

Know of wasteful spending or a political attack that crossed the line? Email me with the details.
Art3 (5K)

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"Shame may restrain what law does not prohibit." -- Seneca the Younger

Incivility

I would define incivility in politics as launching attacks that are personal, not focused on a public policy issue, and/or not fact-based. Just plain nasty is another phrase that comes to mind.

Contrast that with a vigorous, fact-based presentation of a position on a public policy issue, which I think is legitimate and, in fact, essential in a democractic system. You know the difference when you see it.

Unfortunately, incivility is the M.O. for some folks.

Joe Jordan Launches FOIA Request in Futile Attempt to Intimidate RockTrash

"[I asked for his [Stigile's] email] because of [Stigile's] outspokenness on the golf course," he said. "I don't know [how it will be useful]." --- Joe Jordan, Gazette 2/16/2011

Read more about Joe Jordan's futile attempt to stop my criticism of wasting taxpayers' dollars to bail out Rockville's failing golf course.

Joe Jordan Files Frivolous Ethics Complaint!

Councilmember Moore posted an article on Patch encouraging residents to speak out against efforts to overturn the previous Council's decision to allow Pumphrey to build a parking lot. It was a serious article about a serious issue.

Joe Jordan's response was to file an ethics complaint with the City Attorney. This was another obvious attempt to intimidate. The City Attorney's dismissal of the complaint made it clear that there was no substance to the charges.

Read Mr. Jordan's ridiculous complaint, Councilmember Moore's rebuttal, and the City Attorney's opinion here.

Joe Jordan Lashes Out Again!

Joe Jordan had been quiet for too long. Sure enough, in a June 14th posting on Patch.com, he called the City Manager's actions "bizarre," "arrogant," "outrageous," and an "insult."

What was the City Manager's crime this time? He simply tried to enforce Rockville's prohibition against political candidates using City facilities for campaign events.

The City Manager bungled it, no question about it, and he apologized.

But he should never have been put in this position. The rules are clear and serve an important purpose.

From where I sit, the Mayor wasn't trying to abuse the process, and the City Manager wasn't trying to sabotage the Mayor's announcement.

The moment called for cooler heads. We didn't need to have Joe Jordan throw gas on the fire. Read my response [Quit Beating Up On City Employees] to his irresponsible attack.