Money mismanaged at Bull Creek
I read with amusement the article by Mike Owen concerning the classy display of a toilet bowl at Bull Creek Golf Course to raise approximately $9,000 for restroom renovation.
The article stated that a new clubhouse was needed at a cost of $1.5 million and that the city did not have the funds, but had contributed $1.7 million toward a $9 million expansion of Cooper Creek Tennis Center, the balance paid by CORTA and Columbus State University.
Mr. Owen failed to mention that in a 1999 SPLOST, Bull Creek was allotted $4.3 million used for course improvements, including teeboxes, fairways, greens, bunker grounds, sprinkler system and cart paths. A third practice green was built for $83,000 which could have renovated nine-plus restrooms. A new clubhouse could have been built from the SPLOST, leaving about $3 million for course renovations. Priority thinking was not applied.
Mr. Owen suggested an organization similar to CORTA be formed. There is already one in place, Columbus Golf Authority, a nine-member politically appointed board, one by each Columbus Council member. The difference between the boards is that the tennis one is effective and makes money while the golf one is ineffective and spends 300,000 of your tax dollars above their sales for operations annually.
Until there are some management tools in place or the Golf Authority is scuttled and the golf courses put under Parks and Recreation, I see no hope for running one of the city's finest assets in a reasonable manner. The two city golf courses, one 9 hole and one 36 hole, while using prison labor for maintaince and upkeep, still cannot compete with other courses without our tax subsidies.
The toilet bowl should be put back where it belongs, the Golf Authority dumped into it and flushed.
Jack L. Langford
Columbus
Didn't need fixing
I don't know about everyone else but the once-a-week garbage service is not working for me, it's a problem, putting it politely. The garbage issue was worked out already and running smooth so why are we here? Who's idea was this anyway? You would think the twice a week pick-up decision decided years ago by necessity and voted in by what must have been some intelligent folks would not be changed. Come on. It's garbage, so let's take care of it responsibly and if it costs more so be it.
Marty Carter
Columbus
The 'other' tax issue
Overlooked in the L-E story concerning whether or not a question will be put on the ballot concerning lifting the tax freeze is a local issue concerning raising the fees for 911 services. In addition to the tax freeze referendum request, the proposed legislative agenda includes requests for "Legislation that would increase 911 fees from $1.50 a month to $2.50 for local landlines and from $1 to $2.50 for wireless telephones."
Whoa! Safety is one thing, but greed is another. Why should each land line to one address be "taxed," and how about just one fee charge for each cell phone account rather than each cell phone on an account?
Two other questions also need answering:
Who is going to pay the $2.50 a month on "free phones" and "pre-paid burner phones"? You know, even if a cell phone has no day-to-day service, or has been disconnected, the phone can still make 911 emergency calls who's paying that monthly fee?
I have 5 phone numbers on my cell phone account my bride, my daughters, and myself. Two of my daughters reside out of town are their cities going to get that fee for their 911 services?
Hal Kirven
Columbus
Roadblocks
I read the headline "Board members threaten to walk out" and thought, "Too bad they didn't -- and have kept on walking." I think the rest of the school board and Superintendent Lewis are doing a great job, despite the roadblocks these two board members keep trying to throw up to delay progress. The impression I get is that these two use their positions to get their names and faces in the paper and on TV. You know exactly who I'm writing about without me actually writing their names, which just proves my point. Our community and our children deserve better.
Mike Burns
Columbus
Inept, uncaring
A few months back, due to a drastic drop in hours at work, I was forced to apply for food stamp assistance. I dutifully submitted all requested information and was told I would be contacted for a phone interview. A few weeks later I received a letter from food stamp offices in both Atlanta and Columbus stating I had failed to complete a phone interview or a scheduled in-house interview.
A wrong number had been listed as my contact number. I took both letters to the Columbus office, which showed no interest but did correct my phone number. I was given an interview and told I needed to wait for a letter of approval which should be received within the next week or so.
After waiting three weeks with no reply I made several attempts to speak with someone at the numbers provided to me for information. I was informed there was no record of me having ever applied, and no record of my name, Social Security or client number.
I have worked in government assistance. These jobs require people who are literate, caring and dedicated to helping others. I am appalled at the performance of the employees I have personally encountered in my situation. As I see it, the best recourse is to "clean house" and hire properly trained and competent personnel.
Donna Bouterse
Columbus
This story was originally published October 5, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Money mismanaged at Bull Creek ."