Letters: Overwhelmed by community support; sign law should let business thrive; we’re fine without park

Overwhelmed by community support

A humbled thank you.

On September 22nd my house on Montgomery Road burned. And not just a little. What the flames didn’t consume the smoke stole. I was on vacation in Utah and woke up to a voicemail that I still have, saying “Jeff, call me back, man ... I think your house is on fire.” Pray you never have to wake up to that.

Each day since has been a sooty, dirty, smelly grind. But out of the rubble has emerged something that brings tears to my eyes even as I write this, an overwhelming sense of community and generosity. First, it was a note in my mailbox. Then a gift card for food on my windshield. Offers for lodging and clothing from people I barely know. Invitations to dinner. It seems like everywhere I turn there are random acts of kindness. Some are from neighbors I know, others are from neighbors I barely know ... and most, are anonymous. Tonight, a gift basket was delivered with gift certificates for everything from home improvements, to food, to a night out so we can get away from the mess. Many were unsigned. It is overwhelming.

They say you see the best in people during the worst of times. A fire is a terrible thing to experience, but this has brought a huge smile to my face.

Yes, I have insurance and yes, I will rebuild and live right where I have for the last 15 years ... in Heron Cove. Because with friends and neighbors like those that surround me here, I would be foolish to live anywhere else.

Thank all of you, the signed and the unsigned. You have reminded me about what is good in the world.

Sign law should let small business thrive

York County’s so-called ordinance, coupled with unfettered development of York Highway has already compromised the impression that supposedly provides support for the ban on small and informative signage. The first thing one sees after crossing the Buster Boyd bridge is a QuickTrip, with no canopy of trees along the way, until you get to the Bagel Boat.

The Bagel Boat and other small businesses, which we should all be thankful for and supportive of, are gems in our community. The Bagel Boat not only serves up healthy, non-franchised, food in a refreshingly diverse menu, but it also provides comfortable and ample space for locals to work and mingle.

The article hints that the County doesn’t act unless some unknown sign vigilante, who apparently has nothing better to do than single out the Bagel Boat, reports the signage. All I see is unjustified and vindictive behavior in that regard. The ordinance should be reconsidered and abolished, and we should allow committed business owners to advertise their offerings with signage proposed by Frank Keefe. We were over the moon when the Bagel Boat opened, and want to see it thrive.

We’re doing fine without park

County has it right on a county park for Lake Wylie. We don’t need it or want it. The $2.5 million hospitality tax should be spent on other areas where it is needed. Most of our homes are located in subdivisions with HOA’s that provide parks, playgrounds, pools, tennis, golf, boating, etc. We have a beautiful lake that draws plenty of visitors, traffic, and customers for businesses.

Property values have risen 25.2% in the past year without a county park. We approved a $99 million construction project for schools and an aquatic center, both projects have athletic fields and fitness centers.

Our biggest concern should be the ongoing problems with the fire district and the continuing issues with Carolina Water & Sewer Service. That contract is almost up and could cost millions to resolve.

We are doing just fine here in Lake Wylie. Please vote “NO” for the Adult Sports Park.

Don’t be fooled by special interests

Vote NO on a referendum for a special tax district for the Lake Wylie area. This is a property tax increase to pay for the building and life time maintenance of a sports complex to increase economic development in our area. Because hospitality monies will also be used in this project, the county requires teams from outside the taxed area be allowed to reserve the playing fields. Do we really want a lifetime tax increase for a sports complex that is designed to bring more traffic congestion from outside our area?

The special tax will also be charged to businesses in our area. This will drive the cost up to the consumers using those local businesses. If you find grid lock bad on our roads now, wait until we have teams, from outside the new tax area, driving into Lake Wylie to play their tournaments, at the park we are paying for with a property tax increase. More traffic, noise, bright lights, higher property taxes, and increased costs for using businesses in Lake Wylie will be determined by your vote.

The exact amount of the tax increase is unknown and will make the resale of our properties less competitive with properties outside the special tax district. Special interests are spending a lot of money promoting this new tax on our backs. Do not be fooled by flashy signs telling you how to vote. You will pay, they will play.

Too many unknowns, so vote no

The Sportsplex - are you sure?

WE DO NOT KNOW: the final price; what features the park will actually contain; exactly how many years we will be expected to pay for construction, operation and maintenance; the cost of a park for which we do not have a final design; whether the estimates for operations and maintenance are realistic and how much the taxpayers are expected to pay, INTO PERPETUITY, for those functions; what requirements there will be to have the board report regularly, to the taxpayers, on construction progress and cost to complete; who will be on a board that is said to have uncontested say over all park decisions; what contractual/financial limits, if any, are to be placed on the board; how much ACTUAL playing time our children will get AFTER the rentals of the facility are factored into the actual playing season for those weather sensitive sports. It is clear that the recreation leagues WILL NOT be given playing preference. Travel teams and other very select teams that do no include our “Johnnie” since he or she does not possess the skills to be on those teams. There has been no discussion as to how much income is expected from rentals and if any of it will be applied to operating and maintenance costs.

Are you residents of nearby neighborhoods really prepared for the traffic, parking, noise and lighting that are part of such a grand sports park?

Are you, the residents of Lake Wylie, prepared to vote yes on an “open ended” referendum, that contains no financial limits except the max annual added tax?

I am sure! My answer is NO!

This story was originally published November 10, 2016 at 10:35 AM with the headline "Letters: Overwhelmed by community support; sign law should let business thrive; we’re fine without park."