Economic Development

We often hear conversations about "Economic Development". Let's be accurate: Successful development does not happen quickly nor with out planning. Hindsight is always better. Historically, the lack of a sewer system in downtown and along 441 has prevented any business that required heavy septic usage from being established in High Springs (Restaurants in particular). [Note: the State and NOT the City of High Springs set septic requirements for businesses such as restaurant] We now have a sewer system but it takes time to create development. The Great Outdoors could not have reopended with more than 35 seats if we did not have a sewer system. So how does the City help? The City does control its local ordinances.

Data shows that people do not shop, especially in confined "historic" districts unless there are places to eat. The same data shows that businesses that are not supported by nearby restaurants don't succeed. People seeking to bring restaurants to High Springs have gone elsewhere simply because they cannot either find a location or were prohibited from selling alcohol on Sunday. The most desired downtown locations are not an option because they are too close to a church. In the City of High Springs, while you can now sell beer & wine on Sunday's, you still cannot do so with in 500' of a church. So the First Avenue shops and 50% of the downtown district cannot seek to attract a business that wishes to sell alcohol.

Lets be clear about some things:

1) The laws preventing the sale of alcohol in High Springs were created in 1963 at an Emergency Meeting of the City Commission when Alachua County voters voted to allow the sale of alcohol.
2) That since the City Commission allowed Sunday sales of beer & wine there has been no increase in accidents, arrests or other reported problems in the City of High Springs,
3) Restaurants report that it is not the value of the sale of beer or wine that is important but the value of the food products that are sold with an alcoholic beverage.
4) National chains that were approached about coming to High Springs said the inability to sell alcohol (including mixed drinks) on Sunday was an end to the conversation about coming to High Springs.

So, if the goal is to create economic development that serves those that live in our community and those that visit our waterways we should be seeking to remove barriers. Yes, we have allowed Sunday Sales. Stop in any of the local convenience stores or Winn-Dixie and ask if sales OVER ALL have increased on Sunday. The answer is yes. However, the current City Commission has not been able to reach agreement and has declined to allow sales within 500' of a church.

Not allowing sales within 500' of a church seems fine, and could be. It would be a statement of community values. Except it affects only the downtown area and a few areas along Rail Road Avenue that are zoned Commercial. Except that is does not prevent someone from opening a business that sells beer & wine and NOT food. In the City of High Springs any business that sells beer or wine for off premises consumption can operate seven days a week, including Sunday after 1 PM - EVEN IF THEY ARE NEXT TO A CHURCH. However, a restaurant, that is within 500' of a church cannot serve been or wine on a Sunday. This is all philosophical until it puts a business out of business. Coconuts worked hard to survive but without any dinner business they could not attract enough customers to survive. Remember, we are not talking just Sunday sales - we are talking ANY sales within 500' of a Church. Coconuts could not sell beer or wine at ANY time and neither can any business in more than one half of the downtown retail area in High Springs. This has slowed the development of the former “Vogel’s” property.

Yes, again, I'll remind you that City law allows a store selling beer or wine for off premises consumption to go in anywhere. What kind of economic development would you like in downtown - a number of package stores or a cluster of unique restaurants? Let's have City Ordinances that make sense and are consistent

Community Values

Communities "feel" different. The feeling is created by history, beliefs, ethnic make up and any number of other hard to qualify elements. Change happens and change that fits is achieved by respecting the history, beliefs and values of those that have helped to create what we now value.

About Me - Part II

I’ve been a volunteer in my community since I was a child. Being willing to do the work of a City Commissioner and serve my community is an extension of my life long volunteerism.

I graduated from Kalamazoo College with a BA in Theater Arts & Communications. My focus was lighting for live performance and film making. Upon moving to High Springs, I quickly became involved in the Community Theater. I’ve never acted on stage but enjoy helping to build sets and design lighting. During this campaign I’m not active at the theater but I believe institutions like our Community Theater play a vital role in creating a sense of community. Aside from helping with the actual plays (including a number of youth productions such as Charlotte’s Web pictured here) I assisted with the maintenance of the building – including overseeing a major remodel that resulted in new bathrooms for the patrons.

In addition to my work with the Community Theater I was appointed to the City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Board twice and recently served as a member of the City’s Historic Commission Task Force. Serving in these capacities allowed me to learn more about our city and how our government is working. I’ve had the opportunity to work directly with City Staff and gain unique perspectives as projects are developed, learn about the history of High Springs and work with fellow citizens who were also volunteering time to make a difference with the City.

Just over four years ago a group of citizens established a Certified Main Street Program (www.mainstreet.org and www.HighSpringsMainStreet.org). I attended an introduction meeting and became involved in the Design Team. We have been involved in the placement of new benches, trashcans and light poles in the downtown area. We designed and worked to install all the new Gateway Signs to High Springs (the four that have yet to be landscaped will be done by the end of October). We created a set of colorful banners that appear around downtown. We have worked to help create a Pocket Park along Rail Road Avenue and assist in the design of lighting and benches for James Paul Park (the sink-hole behind City Hall). Both the Pocket Park and James Paul Park are ongoing projects that will see work completed in 2010. This is a lot for volunteers and I’ve learned patience. Community projects don’t happen quickly but a little volunteer work by a lot of people goes a long way.

The Main Street program is a part of the Community Development Corporation (CDC) here in High Springs. The CDC was originally created to operate the Youth Center that was run out of the old school for many years. I volunteer as the Treasurer of the CDC and am responsible for financial reports and paying the organizations bills (mostly related to the Main Street Program).

Part of how I make my living is to “organize things”. This past Spring I had the opportunity to work with the BMX track here in High Springs (www.HSBMX.com). In April of this year the four-year-old track hosted their first National BMX Race and this November 13, 14 and 15 the track will host up to 3000 people for a Dual State Race. Facilities like the BMX track are a community resource as they draw people to the area. Sustained Economic Development is built not only on large employers but also by the many small businesses that serve the tens of thousands of visitors to our area every year.

Aside from my volunteer work I like to dive, camp and attend live music festivals. I like to make a difference in my community and stay busy. With all I’ve been involved in being willing to serve, as a City Commissioner, is a responsibility I’m willing to accept. I will appreciate your vote on November 3rd.

Video #2: Tax Dollars

All of us that own property and pay taxes in the City of High Springs recently received a estimate of what our tax bills will be this fall. Even while property values have declined the bill may have not decreased - and may have gone up. However, when we examine the bills we can clearly see that City Tax Payers are NOT paying more to the City of High Springs. Where we are paying more is for our schools and to Alachua County.

The City needs to make good use of tax dollars collected. I've participated in the budget workshops for this City for the past three years. I've learned a lot about our budget, the different City Departments, City Staff and services. What I know now will help me be a part of the budgeting process and insure we are making good decisions with your money.

Video #1: Being A Good Commissioner

I plan on posting a number of short videos so that you can hear me speak. This is the first video. As always, your comments, emails and phone calls are welcome. Thanks for visiting the site to find out more.


You can also view this video on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XALoUZ0b3SU

About Me - Part One

In the coming weeks I'll be expanding the "About Me" posts. However, I thought I would start now with some basic information for people that don't know me.

I moved to High Springs from Chicago where I lived for almost 15 years. I was raised in Michigan (Kalamazoo) and am first generation "off of the farm". My Grandfather's farm has changed from its chicken and cow roots to now be a major swine operation run by my Cousins. In Illinois I worked primarily in the film and television industry. I was the Regional Manager for a film lighting company called LTM and ran the company's rental & sales operations in the Chicago area.

While working for LTM I became involved in a number of volunteer groups, one working specifically with gangs in the inner city. I became active in the program and decided that I'd like to try working with youth for a living. I left LTM and worked for almost seven years with, what was then, the largest private childcare institution in the United States. Run by the Catholic Church I worked at Maryville Academy and became a Certified Family Educator and Trainer. My work was primarily with youth 7 to 18 years of age who were in a "Diagnostic Unit" and supervised 24/7. Most of the youth I worked with had "failed" a number of other DCFS placements. It was a tough job but I loved it. However, circumstances had me again consider a sales position in the film & television business.

I left Maryville Academy to work with a small family company, Fletcher Chicago (www.fletch.com). The company grew from six employees to over 30 when I left my position as Sales Manger after eight years. In all of my positions I've never left on terms where I would not be welcomed back. I've directly supervised as many as eight employees and oversaw annual revenues in excess of five million dollars. I came to High Springs because of the City's rural location, small town friendly feel and to work with Wes Skiles at Karst Productions.

Karst Productions was a wonderful introduction to Florida. Working on the Water's Journey series, I've learned a great deal from Wes about Florida's water, geology and natural history such that I have a deep appreciation for why so many come to our area to visit. I continue to work with regional video production companies helping to coordinate a variety of projects. Additionally, I've recently worked with organizations such as High Springs BMX (www.HSBMX.com) to organize a National BMX Race sanctioned by the National Bicycle League.

As you can begin to see, I've have many interests. I've always been active in volunteering, where ever I live; which is why I became involved in High Springs soon after arriving. I’ll be adding more, but this is a start at letting you all know something about me. I welcome your questions and comments.

Meeting the Community

I'm active in the community and have the opportunity to interact with a number of local voters, but I certainly have not heard from everyone. This past week friends asked me to come over and speak to them personally about specific issues they had with City Government. I really enjoyed the exchange and am looking for more opportunities to sit and talk about what people are concerned about and answer the questions they have for me.

If you would be interested in getting together for a few minutes or hosting a gathering where I can meet your neighbors and friends please call or email me. THESE GATHERINGS WOULD NOT BE TO ASK FOR FUNDS.

City Budget and the use of Savings

Rightfully so, there is currently debate in High Springs about our City budget. The City recently adopted a policy that will prevent what happened in a nearby community - where the City Manager all but depleted the Reserve Funds to operate the city. The new High Springs policy (the idea of Commissioner Shupe) was to establish a MINIMUM amount of Reserve (savings) that the City must maintain. The minimum established was two months operating income based on the coming fiscal year. This year that amount is just over $630,000 ($315K per month).

The audited balance of the City of High Springs current Reserve is approximately $1,100,000.00. Yes, we currently have "saved" almost twice the amount our new policy says we need in the event of an emergency.

Each year as part of planning for the City budget certain "contingencies" are allowed for in a number of different areas. The City Manager cannot spend this money with out approval from the City Commission. These monies are to be available in a "worst case" situation - a fire truck is totaled while responding to an accident, a sink hole opens up on Main Street in front of City Boys, the water tower requires emergency repairs that were not budgeted for, etc. Something that MIGHT happen probably won't but sometimes does. Each year allowances for these things are made and the city allocates some portion of the "savings" to cover these types of costs.

In the history of the City all of the money allocated from savings has never been spent. In the last three years NONE of the money was spent. In fact, last year almost $80,000 LESS was spent than budgeted so that the City's "savings" INCREASED another $79,000 - with out touching reserves.

This year the City is allocating $361,000 of "savings" for use in the coming budget. Last year this number was approximately $250,000 (and none of it was touched). With revenues down (from sales tax, property tax, etc.) the City is expecting, for the first time, to actually have to spend some of the savings on operating expenses. Something that is being planned for and budgeted for. It is estimated that only about $60,000 of the $361,000 will be used for the operating of the City. The rest of the money is for things that "might happen". If any of the reserves needed to be spent the City Manager would need to make the Commission aware and in most cases secure the Commissions approval.

We have $1,100,000 in "savings" and have established a minimum need of $632,000 for the coming year. If all of the worst-case scenarios come true this coming year and the City spent every dime that has been allocated (including the $361,000 in the reserve) we would still have $107,000 in our "savings".

Why has the City continued to save and build reserves if not for the purpose of dipping into them during down economic times? We established a minimum Reserve Level how about establishing a "maximum"? How bad a gloom and doom situation are we saving for? How bad does it need to be to justify spending 5% of the savings ($60,000 of the $1.1 Million)?

The realistic facts for someone reading the Independent Audit and looking at the performance of the City's Finance Department and Staff indicates High Springs is on solid ground and making good decisions.

Of course, there is always another angle to the story... All of this "responsible spending" and saving comes at a cost. The City of High Springs is NOT spending money on Capital Projects - including some routine maintenance. As a City Commissioner I will be an advocate for responsible savings but also the reinvestment of tax dollars to maintain the City's property and infrastructure.

As a Commissioner, I'd also advocate looking at creative ways to use the CASH on hand the City has to reduce or eliminate some of the interest being paid on loans (police cars, fire trucks, light poles, etc.).

Use of City Tax Dollars - Fire Service

The second largest portion of the City budget is allocated to funding our fire service. We have a Fire Department that most communities our size would welcome. Our Chief has great credentials, and is investing himself in the community and our Department; so are the firefighters (including the volunteers). Are the citizens of High Springs aware that 45% of the calls our fire department responds to are to meet the needs of Alachua County and NOT the City of High Springs?

There is no question that everyone deserves to have a qualified responder come when 911 is called. Everyone should want response times to be as short as possible. So the questions are:

Why should the citizens of High Springs subsidize fire service to Alachua County Residents?

Why did Alachua County increase the fire budget this coming fiscal year and CUT the fees they would pay the City of High Springs by 9%?

Why does the Alachua County Commission continue to advocate a "take it or leave it" posture when working with the City of High Springs? When, if High Springs did decide not to respond to calls in Alachua County (including the northern section of I-75 in Alachua County) it would cost the County significantly more money to provide the fire service they are required to provide than if they simply paid a reasonable fee to utilize the resources in High Springs that are being paid for by the Citizens of High Springs?

This is not a simple issue. There are many more details to the situation. Thursday September 3rd is a time for you to speak, listen and ask questions. There will be a joint meeting of the High Springs City Commission and the Alachua County Commissioners here in High Springs. Plan on attending - especially if you live in the County and expect High Springs to respond to your 911 call.

Note: Even if the City of High Springs was not under contract to respond to calls from Alachua County an existing "mutual aid agreement" would provide for immediate aid, when requested, by Alachua County. This is the same system that is used for Columbia and Gilchrist County to aid High Springs and for our City to aid these counties.

What are you thinking?

Small towns have a lot of conversations. I'm interested in knowing what everyone is talking about. This website is one of the tools I'm using to include as many people as possible in the conversation.

I invite you to email me with your specific questions or post a comment. Of course, the traditional phone works too - 386-454-8161.