Agenda and my notes pictured above, click on image for an expanded view.
Several important issues were discussed at the Tuesday meeting including the status of Goose Pond's Plantation Course.
Citizens, it is not the purpose of any government entity to "keep property rates up." This is another throwback of government sponsored socialism and dependance on government for personal and business solutions. Goose Pond Colony is a governmental entity, as a governmental entity why is it displaying preference to this specific area's residents? This creates all sorts of possible claims of discrimination involving financially depressed areas of Scottsboro due to social status and race.
The Scottsboro City Council has also expressed the same concerns for homeowners at the Plantation Goose Pond Course. The City Council of Scottsboro has used the mortgage on Plantation Point, which they hold, as a tool for manipulating the business decisions of the Goose Pond Colony Board.
Several citizens spoke in support of keeping the course a public entity and several spoke in support of the sale. Council Member Keith Smith was present and addressed several citizen comments.
Mr. Smith stated he pays for his golf play. Mr. Smith has expressed several ethics concerns relative to the proposed sale of the course and offer made by Mr. Croft. Mr. Smith also expressed concerns relative to the loan costs of Goose Pond Colony Loans when the Goose Pond Colony Board President is an officer of the First National Bank. Comment: Are these real ethics or legal problems or not? If they are problems they should be investigated, if they are not then this is just more political posturing in a state historically void of ethics.
Several years previous in order to save Goose Pond Colony from Bankruptcy and the City of Scottsboro either taking over the facility or defaulting on the loans, the City Financial Director was placed on the Goose Pond Colony Board as Chairman by a previous City Council in violation of state law. The move was successful, the facility was saved from a sure failure.
Prior to the City's Financial Director managing the board several years previous, it was discovered property, goods and services were being given away or stolen. The incidents were reported but not prosecuted. The State Attorney General's Office commented, "we would need to have someone on tape stealing before we could prosecute."
Increasing business costs: The business statements reflect an increase in costs of operation due to many factors. Wages have increased by 23.7% since 2006; 2006 wage payments were $866,000, 2010 wage payments were $1,129,000. It was suggested by citizens that advertising was needed. Mr Baggett commented we cannot afford additional advertising, stating we (Goose Pond Colony) spend approximately $14,000 currently for annual advertising. The current financial statement dated May 31, 2011 states current advertising cost expenditures at $18,987, last years total advertising costs were $21,967.00. currently the board has overspent their advertising budget by 13.56% according to GPC financial documents.
There are advertising agreements for trade of services, the Huntsville Havoc, Stars and Hammers Sports Teams are involved in the agreements according to the Golf Course Manager. The sports teams mentioned play golf for free in turn the teams advertise for GPC in or on various mediums. The Goose Pond Board and the City Council of Scottsboro receive free services at GPC; city employees receive 30% discount according to statements made by the GPC Board
Total Revenues Year to Date are $1,857,869; total expenditures, variable and fixed year to date are $1,987,759; this reflects a current cash loss of $129,890 at 6 months into the calendar year. Depreciation expenses are listed as $207,597. Cash loss plus depreciation expense reflects a total of $337,487 six month loss for mid year 2011. This reflects a 528.69% loss increase over last year at this time.
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