Into the (Political) Arena

The subjects for this blog will be related to local, regional and, on occasion, state politics. It is NOT associated with any political party or special interest group. It is my hope that all sides will boldly venture into the arena to do battle on behalf of their candidate or to defend a position. As is the case in the rough and tumble world of politics rules will be kept to a minimum. However, keep the comments at least PG rated. If you resort to name calling you are admitting defeat.

Friday, April 18, 2008

Playing Politics With Fredericksburg's Future

Mrs. Girvan now claims that she was opposed to the incentives package the day it was presented to her in a meeting with Todd Nelson and Jud Honaker. Let's take a walk down Memory Lane and see whether her actions and words support that claim:


This is the photo taken (by Sara B. Tews of the Wisconsin Journal) at the announcement of the
Kalahari project. If Mrs. Girvan was opposed to the incentive package from the beginning , what is her smiling face doing in this picture?

Kalahari Project Pitched to Locals (Nov. 29, 2007)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/112007/11292007/337298
No comments from Mrs. Girvan.

Kalahari Supporters Repeat Their Case (Dec. 05, 2007)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/122007/12052007/338705
No comments from Mrs. Girvan.

Kalahari Decision Delayed (Dec. 9, 2007)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/122007/12092007/339459

No comment from Mrs. Girvan. However, in the comment section of this story on the on-line version of The Free Lance Star, MrZorro, now a diehard supporter of Mrs. Girvan, was calling for her and Tomzak's defeat in the next election for supporting Kalahari.

Council to Take a Look at Kalahari Ohio Park (Dec. 31, 2007)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/122007/12312007/344620
Girvan said she'll be interested to learn what Fredericksburg can expect as far as spinoff development from a water park resort here.
She said going to Ohio is the best way to get a feel for what Sandusky's experience has been.
"It always helps to see it in person," Girvan said. "The magnitude of the facility itself is supposed to be impressive."
Are these the comments of someone opposed to the incentives package? Where are the objections about the length of the incentives?
Its Cold Outside, But its Warm, Welcoming Inside the Kalahari (Jan. 5, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01052008/346378

If opposed to the incentive package why did Mrs. Girvan go to Sandusky in the first place? If she did have concerns here was her opportunity to express them. Emily Battle was there. Also, why didn't she get answers to the questions she would bring up later. What did Mrs. Girvan do for two days? I beginning to think city taxpayers deserve a refund for her airfare and accommodations.

Kalahari’s Impact is Still Being Questioned (Jan. 6, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01062008/346433

The Vice-Mayor is quoted about her concerns. Where are Mrs. Girvan's quotes?

Kalahari Incentives Add Up to $61 Million (Jan. 9, 2008)

Council members approved the basic framework of this package at a closed session before Kalahari announced its plans for Fredericksburg in November.

Emily Battle of the FLS by this time had talked to every Council member on more than one occasion giving Mrs. Girvan ample opportunity to express her opposition to the incentives package. Why didn't she do it?

Incentive Packages Become Routine (Jan 13, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01132008/347469

No comment from Mrs. Girvan.

City May Delay Expo Center Funding (Jan. 15, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01152008/348502

Councilwoman Debby Girvan also thinks it makes sense to hold off.
"I think we need to get more information about Kalahari anyway before we can even make a decision about that project," she said. "The question is, what is the true relationship going to be between Kalahari and the Expo Center?"
Does this sound like someone who has been opposed to the incentives package since the Fall of 2007?

Girvan Sets Sights on Mayor’s Office (Jan. 16, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01162008/348837

Girvan, 44, said she thinks she has the time available to do the job well. "This job takes a lot of time to do well," she said. "We're not just filling potholes here. ... We have a lot of growth issues, a lot of development issues. We're going to really have to pay close attention."

Kalahari is not even mentioned in Mrs. Girvan's Press Release announcing her candidacy for Mayor. This was the opportunity to lay everything out regarding her opposition to the incentives and all her other concerns about the Kalahari project.--Not a word.

Citizens Have Say on Water Park (Jan. 16, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01162008/348816

Another opportunity lost by Mrs. Girvan to express her opposition to the incentives package.

Kalahari Plan Faces Additional Scrutiny (Jan. 20, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01202008/349547

No comments from Mrs. Girvan.

Council Approves Kalahari Letter (Jan. 23, 2008)
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/012008/01232008/350795

"A vote on this is inappropriate at this time. There has not been enough due diligence," said Girvan, who was one of four council members who spent two days earlier this month at Kalahari's resort in Sandusky, Ohio.
Girvan raised a variety of objections to the vote for the letter of intent.
She worried that the projected 800 employees of Kalahari would not have their benefits fully paid for by the company.
She asked for a written commitment that Kalahari would hire local firms to do engineering, construction and other work on the resort.
She worried that voting on the letter of intent before the city receives a consultant's report it has commissioned would "mislead a business owner that these [incentives] terms are OK" prematurely.Girvan said she was against approving the letter of intent last night, but "I do support continued negotiation on this Kalahari project."

Supporting continued negotiations means you have accepted the 20-year term of the incentives. While one shouldn't have any problems with the questions raised the timing has to be questioned. Why were these concerns not brought forth when the Council was drafting the Letter of Intent? Why didn't Mrs. Girvan take the opportunity to get answers during her trip to Kalahari Sandusky?

It is clear that Mrs. Girvan is being less than honest when she now claims she was opposed to the incentives package from the beginning. Here own words, or lack thereof, as outlined above contradicts this claim. What is happening is that Mrs. Girvan is taking a project that will have a significant impact on Fredericksburg, hopefully for the better, and instead of looking out for the interests of the City is instead looking out for what she perceives to be in her best political interest. She has gone from supporting both the Kalahari project and incentives to opposing them only after her announcement that she was running for Mayor.

There are those residents in Fredericksburg who are sincere in their opposition to the Kalahari project and the use of incentives. And while I do not agree with their position I respect it and do believe we all have what we believe are the best interest of Fredericksburg as our focus. For those who oppose both Kalahari and the use of incentives I have but one question? In this election do you support the candidate(s) who believe they are making decisions in the best interest of the City or for themselves?
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