The hot topic at last nights City Council work session was the issue concerning the sale of Plantation Pointe Golf Course, part of the Goose Pond Colony (GPC) complex. The City Parks and Recreation Board of Scottsboro, known as the Goose Pond Colony (GPC) Board, consisting of a banker, businessmen, accountant and engineer have stated the Plantation Pointe Golf course is not a profitable golf course and has cost the citizens of Scottsboro in excess of $1 million dollars over the past 5 years. The GPC Board at last night's council meeting requested the release of the mortgage on the Plantation Point Golf Course so it may be sold. GPC Board member Jim Olyneise, Board Vice Chairperson, spoke representing the Board, it was stated rounds played at Plantation Point were down 16% since the year 2008.
Mr. Olyneise stated, "we [GPC Board] believe the sale of the property is a win - win for all involved. The buyer has stated he will maintain the facility as a Golf Course. There were 30 inquiries from 30 individuals from 14 states. There was one offer received in April of this year for the appraised value of $1,031,000.00 by Mr, Don Croft."
Council Member Smith stated, "...the board [GPC Board] has not voted to accept Mr. Croft's offer in an open meeting." Mr. Olyneise replied, "that is not true, the board has voted to present the offer to the City Council and request a release of the mortgage." The City of Scottsboro is a signer on the mortgage of the property with the Scottsboro Parks and Recreation Board (GPC Board), the City Council must approve of the property sale due to the city's status as a mortgage co-signer. Mr. Smith further stated, "...people have a problem with the sale of Plantation Pointe to the City Auditor." Mr. Croft was a prior part owner of the property when the city purchased the Plantation Pointe property for slightly over $2 million. He has been the city auditor for several years with the exception of 4 years ago when Mr. Smith insisted that another auditing firm audit the city. The Mayor recommends the auditor for the city accounts and/or property, the council may approve or disapprove.
Other accusations were made by Mr. Smith concerning management of the facility. Mr. Olyneise replied to Mr. Smith's allegations. Ms. McCrary stated, "If you had tried harder [GPC Board] Plantation Pointe could be saved."
Home owners present last night and previously present at City Council meetings do not support the sale of the Plantation Pointe facility. Home owners are not required to pay fees for golf course up-keep. It has been previously stated that out of 45 homes in the area only 7 are members of the Goose Pond Colony Golf facility.
Two City Council members, Mr. Smith and Ms. McCrary appear to support the "wants" of the home owners, which may not be what is best for the city or the GPC complex.
City employees and officials do not pay green fees. This is unacceptable, city political officials should pay full greens fees and/or membership fees. City employees should receive a discounted green fee rate, it should not be free. Many GPC employees are paid at minimum wage levels, if anyone deserves free golf it is the employees of GPC. Daily Sentinel article on the meeting: http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_bf436f94-80cd-11e0-ad46-001cc4c002e0.html
One of the previous problems, prior to the current board, was the pilfering of materials and goods. It had been reported that services, goods, fuel, equipment were being given away or pilfered, there were reports of stolen equipment. The Attorney Generals Office refused to investigate stating, "There must be a video with someones 'hand in the pot' before we will initiate an investigation." Poor management had resulted in the facility having poor credit, no supplier would extend credit and the entire complex was near bankruptcy. A previous city council had installed the city's financial director as the board chairperson in the attempts to reverse the poor management of the facility. The crisis was averted, however it is against the laws of the State of Alabama for a paid city official to serve on a city board, much less serve as GPC Board Chairperson.
Link with slide show advertising the course for sale: http://www.golfcoursesforsale.com/modules.php?name=Realty&file=detail&id=45047
During the meeting Mr. Smith stated, "this is the biggest problem I have had to deal with in the 5 years of being a City Council representative." It was discussed that there were many private sessions concerning the sale of the property with council members.
Council President Matthew Hodges stated the next discussion on the sale of Plantation Pointe will be during the June 6, 2011 City Council work session as May 30th is the Memorial Day holiday.
The Plantation Pointe facility, consisting of the golf course and homes surrounding the course, has been the subject of controversy for many years. Daily Sentinel link on the subject, suggest that the comments of each link be read. http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_b65cb8ac-07b2-11e0-af83-001cc4c002e0.html The Video Link of Mr Smith, City Council member, who opposes sale and has suggested that the management of the Goose Pond facility could be better managed by a city department. http://thedailysentinel.com/news/article_b65cb8ac-07b2-11e0-af83-001cc4c002e0.html?mode=video
Clarions article on the issue: http://www.theclarion.org/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=799:smith-wants-goose-pond-to-relinquish-control-of-plantation&catid=42:clarion-rotation-stories&Itemid=142
Letter to the Editor from Mr. Don Croft, Nov. 30, 2010:
http://thedailysentinel.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/article_17a9e370-fc9e-11df-8528-001cc4c002e0.html
Goose Pond Colony Issues on "Watch for Snakes n Scottsboro."
http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Goose%20Pond%20Colony
Rate increases, financial problems for GPC:
http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Goose%20Pond20Colony%20Board%20Meeting
Plantation Pointe Issues:
http://arklite.blogspot.com/search/label/Plantation%20Point%20Golf%20Course
Plantation Pointe article index from the Daily Sentinel:
http://thedailysentinel.com/search/?t=article&d1=1+year+ago&q=plantation+point&app%5B0%5D=editorial&o=0
Plantation Pointe article index from the Clarion: http://www.theclarion.org/index.php?searchword=Plantation+Point&ordering=newest&searchphrase=exact&limit=5&option=com_search
In other business at the city council meeting: 1) Mr. Roy Light gave presentation concerning sewer rehabilitation project at the industrial park, project will cost $575,000, low bidder for the project was BRN Utilities Co. of Tuscaloosa, Al. 2) Discussion concerning matching funds for Public Transportation in the amount of $57,673.00.
Reports: Mr Spears reminded everyone concerning the Cat Fish Festival at Jackson County Park this weekend. Ms. McCrary presented a reminder about the Kiwanis Club's annual Pancake Breakfast fund raiser, held at Scottsboro Junior High School from 6AM - 11AM, both events will be held Saturday, May 21, 2011.
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