Christmas in July
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Sat, 08/06/2016 - 11:05am
Event Date:
August 6, 2016 (All day) CHRISTMAS IN JULY
July was an interesting month indeed.
At the July 7 meeting the BoS voted to receive $5.1 million from NDOT. In return NDOT will not fully repair S. Carson St. before they give this section (Snyder to Fairview) of highway to Carson City. NDOT will do some minor repair and ADA upgrades, this work is underway now. Additionally, Carson City will take ownership of a fuel spill at 4385 S. Carson St. Interesting, the owner of this spill is not required to do the mandated clean up. This agreement (R159-97- 060) and its amendments identify that Carson City “intends” to use future gas tax indexing revenue we have not yet voted on to construct a required “Complete Streets Project”. Remember the work going on downtown is a Complete Streets Project. For information about complete streets see Page 23 of the 2040 Regional Transportation Plan found on the CAMPO page of the Carson City website.
Also on July 7 the majority of the BoS voted to approve a $386,000 gift to Richard Campagni that my opponent secretly negotiated without authorization. Let me be clear, I have nothing against Richard Campagni. I do business with both of his dealerships. Justifying the gift, Bonkowski said he would gift a 10% sales tax rebate to the wealthiest merchants “all day, every time”. This gift is not budgeted and it is unclear what account it will come from. Why do we even have a budget? Apparently Bonkowski’s campaign promises to represent everybody doesn’t hold water.
Meanwhile on July 21 Bonkowski said the housing project on State St. should not have to come up to the same standards as other projects. Because, it is a niche project not intended for everybody it doesn’t have to follow the same rules. Really? Let me be clear, I do not oppose this project. I do question the principles of Bonkowski lobbying for a collection of variances and a special use permit for his friends and business associates. I am not sure this is a niche product. I found 102 homes for sale in Carson City in the same price range or below this project. This project is 105 units. It would essentially double the inventory of “entry level” homes in Carson City. Many single family attached offerings were found in this search at equal or lower pricing. When the Planning Commission considers multiple requests for exceptions to the standards almost every month I wonder why we have standards.
I believe each of the above situations should have resulted in a different decision. If you feel like I do I would appreciate your vote in November.
On a lighter note.
In my “Communication” newsletter I listed the 1% Room Tax and National Endowment for the Arts funds as “backloads” to the Downtown Project. After many conversations with the arts community and the Carson City Visitors Bureau I will no longer list those funds as “backloads” to the Downtown Project. While the policies and procedures are still being developed, it is clear these funds will provide a very minor and undetermined revenue into the Downtown Project and therefore it is inappropriate to list them as “backloads”
As usual, please freely contact me at your convenience.
Maurice White
775-297-6484
yourvoicematterscc@gmail.com
yourvoicematterscc.com
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