|
|
|
|
Click the links below to "jump" down the page to any particular Page #4 article, or just scroll down and read them all in order. When you are finished return to the News Main Page: News Master Table of Contents.
---------------- Copyright Notice and Instructions
Copyright Notice and Instructions Note that the "printable versions" of the news articles, will
load much faster because there are considerably less graphics, the downside is that
you might miss some news photos. Return to the
Top
October 01, 2003 Were they wearing ear plugs before? How about blindfolds? This is back-peddling at its best! Thank goodness the citizens brought these remote properties to the city councils' attention. The council was obviously unaware of these properties' existence and equally unaware that citizens expected their city council to address the Volunteer Parkway 'ghost town' without having to be specifically asked. The Mayor states that there will be no vote on the expanded study as they have already authorized a study. I guess it does not matter that, legally, the study ordered by resolution 03-20 was only for 5 tracts of land in front of the race track. That silly old thing called the law really is troublesome for the Mayor. Do not get us wrong, we are all for getting someone into these empty stores. How about some shops, restaurants and hotels. The city should have no problem finding them, as the city has been talking to shops, restaurants and hotels on an ongoing basis, right? The mayor keeps saying that is what will come to our properties after the land grab. Surly he would not say that if the city was not talking to shops, restaurants, and hotels? Big Kudos to the rest of the city council for going on the record, regardless of
which side of the law they stand. As to what the city has to gain, simple. Tax Money. The Mayor made that abundantly clear on the Jody Lee Show. See "...This land is my land" (but I'll Sell it For A Song) Jim Messimer felt that the study had been "blown way out of proportion" because it hasn't started and council has no recommendation to act upon. Perhaps people are upset because the study's intent is to find blight on these properties so that they can be condemned. (See What is Blight? and resolution 03-20) Messimer only voted yes on the original resolution after asking for clarification that the resolution only authorized a study and not the condemnation of the land. We think that Messimer thought a study was harmless, but now he seems to understands that it is the first step in a land grab because he stated that the city would have to follow specific regulations to condemn property. He went on to say that the study would have to show three things; a increase the city's tax base, create jobs and be the best for Bristol. How about the fourth requirement, be legal? If Bristol follows the law, then they can not do the land grab, condemning the land to give to a private individual. (See We Plead the Fifth). An increase in the city's tax base? Messimer must have seen the Mayor on Jody Lee Show. The Mayor made it clear 3 times that ITS ABOUT THE TAX MONEY! See "...This land is my land" (but I'll Sell it For A Song) John Gaines could not be reached for comment. Only time will tell if that was intentional or unintentional.
Return to the
Top
October 02, 2003 Mr. Byrd, if BMS, Bruton Smith, developers, or even you would like to see development then someone should at least "try" to purchase the property. Two owners were never approached about selling land to anyone, and Mr. Rogers has told all the agents you have sent, that the land is not for sale, but he would look at any resaonble offer. He never received a bona fide offer from BMS, its real estate agents, you or anyone else. (See one penny). Despite spending most of the last month's time trying to keep the land he bought 22 years ago, George Rogers from Rogers Gardens was very gracious. The speedway is good for this city and I respect the fact they have decided to live and let live. Hopefully, we can do some things with our property that will enhance their property. Referring to Mr. Rogers' plans for the property. See Property Plans. Mr. Byrd went on to say There was never any doubt that had the process gone
through that any of the property owners would have received fair market value
for their land. Byrd said. Ultimately, the price would have been
determined by a judge or a jury, not the city or any private entity. Mr. Byrd, you have done the right thing to distance yourself from the land grab endeavor, and we thank you. We value all of our neighbors. As neighbors, we all pull together to help each other in times of need. In this spirit, we hope that you will join us in our efforts to Stop the Bristol Land Grab, because it is not over. Until the City of Bristol revokes resolution 03-20, the redevelopment study which has the specific purpose of finding blight on our property will continue. We shall continue to fight efforts to declare our businesses blight, and hope you will join us.
Return to the
Top
October 02, 2003
Return to the
Top
October 2, 2003 Sorry, no links to their webpage as they only keep stories there for one week. (Unlike text, video takes massive space on a server, so we understand why they do so) We have tapped the show, but not acquired permission to rebroadcast on our site, yet. We will includes some "quotes" from us and all the quotes from the enemy, lest they call us unfair, for that's our battle cry. The unofficial title comes from the opening comments by Anchor Steve Hawkins, "Bristol Motor Speedway will not pursue redevelopment efforts for property across from the speedway, but the city of Bristol will continue to study the possibility of redeveloping land along the parkway that could be considered blight." The reporter, Jim Conrad, states that "BMS does not, at this time, see developing on any adjacent property of its neighbors." He continues by pointing out the city will continue their study and if property "is found underused or blighted, the city could buy the property and offer it for sale for what it deemed a better use." Underused? The property is used now, and being developed to its fullest potential. See Property Plans. Jeff Byrd, of BMS stated, "it just became very apparent to us
that it was a divisive issue. I felt like the city council, the city
government and the speedway just needed to concentrate on more positive things.
So we backed away from the whole situation, and hopefully everybody's happy
now." George Rogers of Rogers Gardens reacted by saying, "I thought it would take longer for them to decide to back off of it; when I say them, I mean the city and the speedway; and understand that property rights are something that is dear and near to peoples' hearts, particularly in East Tennessee." Rogers believes that they have won a battle, but not the war. The city has committed to go forward with an expanded study, which means they can still try to declare his and other property blight, condemn their land and sell to a private developer. In short ...the land grab is still on. Bristol Motor speedway has committed to help fund the expanded study looking for blight all up and down the parkway. Jeff Byrd of BMS said, "we would encourage that and in fact have offered to pay the city the partial cost of doing that development plan." Mayor Shumaker stated that "I do hope that land around the speedway and other properties along the Volunteer Parkway are inevitably developed into something a little bit more productive than maybe what we have now." Mr. Mayor, they are being developed now, you would know that if you guys had bothered to check with us before starting your land grab. See Property Plans Return to the
Top
October 2, 2003 Story reports that Bruton Smith is pulling out of the Bristol land grab after angry neighbors complained about their property being called blighted. BMS officials said that there were never plans to take property without compensation, "it's illegal to take peoples property (laughter) from them, the city could not have done that and the housing authority could not have done that, its our view, our collective view, that these folks would have been paid fair market price for their property, but of course, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and I am sure there were varying opinions on how much the property was worth." Jim Bailey asks how much is that? He stated that
"channel 11 has learned that one property owner was offered 1 million more than
what the property appraised for." We would bet that the appraisal Jim Bailey refers to was shown to a channel 11 reporter by Mr. Byrd. These were appraisals done by the race track for the race track a few years ago on all 4 properties; some properties have more current appraisals that are higher; and despite being old appraisals, the BMS appraisals are fundamentally designed to skew the land value down. This is covered richly in Property Value. This was just a sly way for BMS and the city to echo their rallying cry that 'greedy' land owners will not sell, but for a fortune. The sky may be the limit as to how much any parcel land can be sold for, but the bottom has a limit, its called one penny. Return to the
Top
October 08, 2003 Kudos to the council failure to use a timepiece. Everyone who spoke at the meeting was not held to two minutes. This decision should endure to future council meetings. It creates "at least the appearance" of a listening city council. The silent John Gaines was missing from this meeting. We would have liked him to join the rest of the council and made a statement on this issue. And sadly, our good Mayor Shumaker was absent from this meeting, probably allowing him to continue his trend of only making comments to the press, when there is no one around to point out that little old thing called the truth.
Return to the
Top
October 09, 2003
Return to the
Top
October 13, 2003 Sorry, no links to their webpage as do not have old radio shows available to play on their site. (Audio recordings take massive space on a server, so we understand why they do so) Ok, we confess. We came up with the title as Talk Radio show generally do not have a title. Jeff' Byrd spoke on the Marc Bernier Radio show on Monday October 13, 2003. The subject came up about any offers made to purchase the land grab properties across the street from the track. He stated on this show that the track had made offers on the property that they were interested in. When Marc asked if he had offered Mr. Rogers of Rogers Gardens anything, he again repeated the previous answer that they had made offers on the property that they were interested in. We understand that Mr. Byrd used to work in Public Relations for Big Tobacco. He must have learned how to avoid a question like that in his previous job. They made no offers to Mr. Rogers for even one penny. However, Mr. Byrd, while avoiding the question, has now publicly declared that the track is not interested in Rogers Gardens property. Good! Two more properties to go! Mr. Byrd also expressed his view that everyone should leave that poor old city council alone because it was the track that asked for the redevelopment efforts. And then he wanted to talk about Bruton's Education. That gets a page all by itself! Return to the
Top
Bristol Herald Courier content © 2003 Media General, Inc.
|
|
|
At
this point in time, we will not submit any type of redevelopment plan for any
property adjacent to Bristol Motor Speedway to the Housing Authority.
At this point in time? This limiting clause might appear to show that you
reserve the right to jump back on the land grab wagon. We hope that your
withdrawal from the land grab is permanent. We also hope that "we" not
only includes BMS, but any developers acting on your behalf. Byrd went on to
say that We still want to see development in this area, but we want to find a
process that leaves everybody happy." 
