Caldwell Concerned Taxpayers

The Right Choice for President

2007-10-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I’ve got exciting news about a new Religious Right presidential candidate. I know for a fact that on Nov. 1st, a new candidate for the Presidency of the United States will be making his announcement. This candidate will present himself OVER THE INTERNET. You will receive information on where to tune in to catch his announcement. The candidate’s watch words are – God – Country – Family. The candidate has had a very successful alliance with the Right to Life movement. This could be the candidate that the Religious Right can stand behind and promote.

Where to Find County Info

2007-01-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

Link to YEARS of official of
County Commission meeting minutes*
from July 1999 to present.

* Click on any underlined words/dates.
Your computer will take you directly to the site.
No typing! :)

Minutes regarding DSS new building:
Dec '06* under the "Consent Agenda" section, 1(b)
Nov. 15, 2006, under "Health and Human Services" section
Nov. 6, 2006, under "Consent Agenda" section 1(a)-(e)

Yadkin Valley Reservoir Project:
Oct. 2, 2006, under "Lower Creek Watershed Management" explains what a watershed is

2007 County Commissioners Meeting schedule.

... more will be added as I go through the minutes.

I urge you to become informed by reading these minutes for yourselves.

Yadkin Valley Reservoir 1

2007-01-09T16:45:00.000-08:00

For $21 million the taxpayers of Caldwell County, North Carolina, can build and maintain a reservoir to ensure the Upper Yakin Valley residents will have a constant water supply.

The project will spend money the county does NOT have on a project that is absolutely unnecessary! The county’s 2004 study looks twenty to fifty years in the future. Well that is nice, but we don’t need to build a multi-million dollar reservoir for people who don’t even live in the valley. There are 6,400 Caldwell County residents in the Upper Yadkin Valley and they estimate in there will be 9,800 residents in 2050

... more information to come.

Caldwell County DSS -2

2007-01-08T12:28:00.000-08:00

I stopped by the DSS office and asked to speak to someone who could show me around the building. I explained that I was interested in looking at the mold, leaks, and any other problems with the building.

Andrea Lovins came out to introduce herself and find out exactly what I was looking for, and what company I was with.

I explained that I was with "Concerned Taxpayers" a grassroots organization that is looking into the proposed project and the funding for their NEW building complex. I informed her that I personally didn't know anything about the condition of the building, but that I had heard two very different stories. One from DSS and the Caldwell County Manager, another from "Concerned Taxpayers." I explained that I had begun working with the group, but wanted to see for myself before I became too involved.

She left me momentarily, only to return to get my phone number. She informed me that policy prevents me from entering the facility due to privacy and security issues. The Director of Caldwell County Social Services will be in contact with the County Manager to get approval for such a tour. DSS would then be in contact with me later about whether or not a tour could be scheduled.

She asked if I would be at the County Commission meeting tonight or not. I told her I would.

I will keep you all posted.

[Note: I stopped by the DSS office at 9am. In the previous 30 hours before my visit, the area received 1.75 inches of rain. One of the claims for the new building, is that after rain there are buckets placed all around the lobby and waiting areas because of leaks. I saw dry, clean floors, not buckets. I did observe four yellowish stains on the ceiling tiles in the waiting area, but no leaks. Another claim is that the creek behind the building floods. I saw no evidence of flooding anywhere around.]

Caldwell County DSS -1

2007-01-05T09:54:00.000-08:00

Recently, I involved myself in a local issue regarding the building of a new Department of Social Services (DSS), Planning & Building Department, and Health Department building in Caldwell County North Carolina. (I will refer to this group of county agencies as DSS for ease of communication.)

The local debate is whether or not to build a new site for DSS or buy and remodel the existing site.

The current county commissioners want to build a "first class" DSS building for an estimated cost of $14-20 million. They have already paid an architect a reported $67,000, of a $670,000 contract, for a rendering of the site and a cost proposal.

One developer estimates the cost of buying and remodeling the property to be only $5 million. A savings of $9-15 million to this county that really has no money for such an expenditure. Some concerned citizens want to look at the cost figures and have an open discussion about funding and planning; it has been denied by the commissioner due to lack of information and uncertainties about the plan.

Currently, the DSS offices are in a leased building owned by WELBURN REALTY. There are allegations of mold, extensive water leaks, and flooding. In the lease, there is a claus that says if DSS pays OVER $100 for any repair, WELBURN REALTY, THROUGH Bernhardt, will assume the remaining costs associated with the repair. According to Ben Griffin, HE KNOWS OF no such repair expenses paid by the county.

I plan on stopping by the DSS offices to ask them show me the mold, leaks, and flooding. THEY SHOULD BE ALL TOO HAPPY TO SHOW THEIR DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS. I'll post my update.

The county commissioners want to push this deal through before June 2007, so they can ADJUST THE PROPERTY TAX RATE TO INCREASE THE COUNTY BUDGET as a compelling reason to raise property taxes on the struggling citizens of Caldwell County. If they do not have the new construction slated with a hefty price tag, they cannot justify the property tax increase and will have to wait for another opportunity.