Mr. Larry, Mr. Larry say it ain’t so!!! You mean to tell me that OUR county employees need a WRITTEN policy to stop them from telling LIES, STEALING, and Defrauding the taxpayers? We are doomed! Politicians and their sacred staffs not lie???? That’s like telling my dog not to eat the bacon! The commission spending $70000.00 for a gas pump because the finance director cannot account for the fuel in cars, trucks and equipment, is that in order to cancel the Georgia Credit Cards? (ie. syphon hose). Why can’t we just get people to exercise honesty in the first place?
This is about the article of storage problem. There is a whole middle school sitting in West Bainbridge. What is being done with it and why couldn’t they use class rooms for storage. Put solid door with good locks on this and assign each dept a certain hall.Just an idea.
Absolutely use what we have! The school sounds like a great idea. We have a beautiful town but so many empty buildings that need to be used, renovated or torn down. I am sure there are plenty of grants, low interest loan, etc. to help with these types of projects. Let’s name a few: Propex ,AF&Y, Kmart, The mall, The old Libaray, west Bainbridge middle School, and lets not get started on anything on the square
I have to agree with the first poster. I can’t tell what precipitated this “addition” to the manual. What I will say is that this matter was already covered in the manual and what is the point in re-writing what is already inherently expected of all employees? Does repeating yourself ever make something more valid? There is something really bad festering in the county offices and on the commission. I wonder what will happen next because, as Perry Mason used to say, “The truth will out,” and there is nothing this current government can do to stop this from happening. Lies and cover-ups only lead to more of the same and at some point county and city officials will be held accountable for their conduct. Too bad the local media is afraid to investigate these matters more thoroughly.
Comment by If I may say — December 15, 2011 @ 11:30 am
The day of reckoning is approaching. Eventually, lies show themselves and the truth comes out. Plus, as Bainbridge continues to grow, and it will with more new folks, and as our young ‘uns become more adults, and as the old ‘uns get even older, well, it is not all that far off.
Speaking of all the buildings and stores sitting vacant in Bainbridge.
There are two major reasons whay they are sitting vacant, other than the economy.
1) Is that the rent/lease the owners demand is so high that many of us who would like to start a small business cannot afford the rent while just getting started.
But the attitude of most owners is that they had rather the building sit empty, than to let someone use it at a very low rent until they can get a business up and running.
2) The Bainbridge city regulations and restrictions is very burdensome for a very small business just trying to get started.
Until the city, and the property owners, come to realize that many of us who would love to start a small business in Bainbridge do not have unlimited finiances to cover all the high cost, just starting out, the buildings will remain empty, and Bainbridge will remain without the services and products we could offer.
J.Paul:You are so RIGHT. A BLIGHT has hit the City,leadership is needed to correct this problem.
Comment by Ted Snell — December 18, 2011 @ 7:50 am
Whoa, Horsey! Are you suggesting that the government compel private citizens to accept less rent than they demand? Sorry, folks, but government is a little to big right as it is. If you want to start a business,write up a business plan. Go to the SBA. Take out a loan. If your idea has any merit, you will get the loan with a solid plan and having done your homework. Small business fantasies are one thing, but if you don’t even care enough about your idea to get it off the ground, then don’t whine when you can’t pay the reasonable rent someone is charging. If your idea is not even good enough to attract your friends as investors, then why would a landlord want to buy into it? Incorporate and sell shares, the American way, and let your ideas sink or swim in the market arena. It is not because the powers that be won’t let you in, it is because you haven’t the courage of your business convictions to make it.
If you don’t believe in your ideas enough to take a second mortgage out on your home and refinance your vehicles, raid your savings, IRAs and kids’ college funds and max those cards out, why would you expect a landlord to believe in it enough to give you reduced rent only to have to go through the pain in the backside of evicting you later.
Comment by Native Son — December 18, 2011 @ 5:51 pm
Native Son: Let’s just keep the property vacant and in most cases run down.When most of us drive downtown we see more than half of our store fronts run down and vacant.
Comment by Ted Snell — December 19, 2011 @ 8:24 am
Native Son, your kind of mentality is exactly typical of the narrow-minded, live-in-the-dark ages, thinking that has plagued our county and city. You had better start thinking out of the box or Bainbridge will be a city supported by the checks coming to people who will not work for what they receive. Mr. Snell is one of the people who can actually see the problem. You are one of those people who drive down the same old street so many times you cannot keep up with where you are because the scenery you are accustomed to seeing never changes. Wake up and smell the coffee, change is always coming…some quick and some at glacial speed.
Sorry, RC, I really could not understand your objection to what I said through the personal attacks. What did you object to in my post?
Why can’t you go to the SBA and get a loan since you seem to have ideas for a business and can´t find a landlord to subsidize it. If you are incapable of writing a coherent business plan, let me know and I will contact you. I do charge a nominal fee for my services. I can also coach you through the DBA/fictitious name registration, Tax Certificates/ Professional-Occupational certificates,and EIN. Decisions about the best business structure should be discussed with a competent attorney, and I can recommend some and tell you what has worked for me and my situation.If you need a web presence, I have a network of professionals that would be happy to help you (they are in business, and will not work for free either).
If you want something for nothing, free rent, aren’t willing to sacrifice, lazy, not industrious, not willing to gamble your security now for the chance at a successful business in the future, and sweat equity broke, then you are not cut out for business anyway. I won’t waste my time with you. It will be easier for you to sit on the sidelines complaining that ‘the man’ has kept you down because a property owner wouldn’t give you something for nothing.
Comment by Native Son — December 20, 2011 @ 10:01 am
I see we have another fatality in Decatur County. Of two who refuse to wear their seat belt, one is ejected from the vehicle and dead on scene while the other one is life flighted to Tallahassee. Buckled in, minor injuries.
Native Son: I totally reiterate the Dec. 19th comment by RC.
In my earlier posting I was not saying that government should make property owners lower the rent/lease on their property.
What I said, in plain English, was that owners are greedy, and they just plain demand too much rent/lease for their property. Especially considering today’s economy.
Also: Everybody who wants to have a small business, and could be successful, does not want to make a major federal case out of having just a small scale operation. Neither are we looking for a landlord to “subsidize” our business, or give us anything. Obviously you are to highly educated to understand that all small businesses do not need, or want, a professionally designed and structured business plan.
Have you ever heard of the “Mom & Pop” type businesses? They operate on a very low scale, they are not looking to grow into a new Wal-Mart. They just want to remain on a small scale, make a fair living, treat all their customers like friends, be honest and fair with everyone, and have just a “small” business, operated by Mom & Pop.
There are many of us who cannot take a second mortgage, or any of the other options available to the rich folks, that you mentioned.
Native Son; ( or any property owner) I would like for you to answer one question for me, Please: Say you have a building for rent/lease and you are asking $1000.00 ( one-thousand) per month and it is sitting empty. Which is better: rent it to someone for say $400.00 per month and be receiving that much each month. Or let it continue to sit empty, and an eyesore to the community? Sitting empty, you are collecting nothing, and in the present economy it most likely will remain empty for a long time. So which is actually more profitable?
Greed, is what has destroyed this nation’s economy. Yet the greedy remains blinded to that fact. And they continue to be driven by greed.
I agree that greed is what is wrong with our country, and the fact that we have left God out of our nation. God has not left us, we have left him. We need to elect officials that can bring us back to God. Go to church on Sunday and see how many people you can count, then go to other establishment and count the people there.
Why should our county employees need a written policy they know when they lie and stealing something. They should get not be able to work when they are caught stealing. There are to many goof people looking for jobs that would be honest. So I say get rid of then.
J-Paul
Even Mom and Pops should have a business plan. Sticking to their asking price on rent preserves the value of their (and surrounding) property. Some may hold the property as part of a long term strategy. Expenses (including depreciation) for managing, conserving, or maintaining the property while the property is vacant as well as points, mortgage interest, and insurance can be used to off set taxable income from profitable properties. If an owner has tenants who have been paying a fair market rent for years, and someone comes in and only pays the %40 percent you suggest, it would mean earlier tenants would be unhappy with the contracts they operate under. One tenant who pays fair market value is better than two and a half tenants paying %40 of fair market value. It is not greedy to demand fair market value for what is yours.
Laziness, not greed, is what has destroyed this country’s economy. We have an entitlement minded populace who, instead of working hard to compete in a free market, complain that they are ‘rich folks’ and are eaten up with petty class envy and want something for nothing. We have a country that rewards indolence. We have people who feel wronged if someone does not hand over their property for what the asker offers. We have people with a lazy mentality who believe writing up a simple business plan to get a SBA loan and pay themselves a $15,000 salary and reasonable rent until they get their business on its feet sounds like too much hard work.
We have people who can’t compete in the business world denigrate education by saying, “You are to(o) educated to understand…”, who think that it is too much hard work to go to the free SBA site and learn something about business or to take courses on entrepreneurship at one of the surrounding community colleges. No, it is easier to say that the landlords wont give them something for nothing instead of getting off their backside and making it happen. How about a goal being to pay a fair rent instead of making yourself and their friends happy? Maybe people think that when they open this fantasy business, the customers should just be able to walk in to the place where the business owner is only paying %40 of fair market rent and tell them what they will pay them for their goods or services? Maybe people want to return to a barter system and take payment in chickens or eggs and then figure out the taxes owed on them?
Please tell me the onerous burden the city places to open a business? Call the Chamber of Commerce, and someone will be happy to help you through the maze(but if you do and they help you, be sure to join the Chamber and not just ask for something for nothing, and not offer them %40 of the dues either). A free ride is what got us in this mess, not capitalism.
If a person has been too irresponsible with their personal finances to be able to avail themselves of the ideas I put forth earlier, I don´t have much faith in their ability to run a straight business and not treat the till as their personal ATM. Merry Christmas, and don´t quit your day job, I don’t think you have what it takes to make it in business.
Comment by Native Son — December 22, 2011 @ 6:13 pm
Native Son:
You seem to be hung-up on this notion that I am wanting someone to “give” me something.
I am not wanting anyone to give me anything. Believe me, I work hard for every dollar I get, and I do operate a small business for which I do fairly well. But the present economy has hurt my business as well as it has many others. My business is down about 50% from where it was four years ago. It isn’t because I am lazy, my customers tell me they just do not have the money they had four years ago, therefore they can’t spend as much as they did.
Many businesses have went belly up because of the economy and record numbers of people without jobs or incomes. Therefore I thank God everyday for what I do have.
So if the rich folks who owns the empty buildings believe they are more profitable sitting empty; then so be it. When they eventually find that “all” their buildings are empty, then I guess their properties will all be extremely valuable then. When Bainbridge, the malls and the shopping centers become empty storefronts, then the owners will be happy at how profitable their properties have become.
One more point: You keep talking about someone wanting to be subsidized, and looking for a handout, while talking about how great the SBA is, and that we should get a business plan and go to the SBA for a government loan. Well: Isn’t going to the SBA and asking for a loan the same as expecting the TAX-PAYERS to give you a handout, and subsidize your risky business venture?
The government has its nose deep enough into our business already, don’t you think?
And NO!! You are wrong. Mom & Pop type business Do-Not need, or want a drawn-up business plan. They just simply perform a service, sell their products, and enjoy their profits.
I have been in business for 18-years and I have done quite well. I have never had a business model or plan. And I have never been to the SBA, or the chamber of commerce. Or needed the services of a business consultant.
I restate my earlier statement: You are obviously to highly educated to understand the life of us simple folks. And one of the greatest joys in life is giving to (helping) others who have less.
I’m going to jump in here and splain something to you. I’m certain your bashing of the “rich folk” is because you are not aware of what many do for our charities.
Believe me or not, up to you, but those that have worked hard and done well do donate to those less fortunate. How in the world do you think the Salvation Army is able to do all they do for people? Nothing comes from the government, all from donations. And that is just one charity. How many other charities that do so much for people are there? And I will add, you do not know because the folks that do give substantial dollars to charity do not want you to know, it is a gift they give, period.
So back off a bit on the most giving nation on earth, you are not privy to know what those “greedy” people really do, and never will.
A loan at interest is not a subsidy. You might consider taking a part time job. I often work outside my business to make ends meet. Bottom line, I won’t complain about how you run your business. You also have no just complaint about how others run their real estate ventures. If your business is no longer viable, you might just need to reenter the job market. It is humbling, but only you can read the writing on your wall.
Larry has pointed out something I have said before. Why do we have a public library? A YMCA? Who do you think got Bainbridge (Junior) College off the ground? Who donated the land for the local parks? Who are the Bearcat Boosters?
In lieu of a thoughtful answer to my question about the onerous burden the city places on people who want to start a business, you continue to press ahead with attacking education as if it is some type of evil. I took the time to explain how property owners might be protecting their asset (I did forget to mention that the property taxes can also be used to offset a profitable property as well). The honest assessment of the insurmountable barriers from the vox populi would be much appreciated.
Comment by Native Son — December 23, 2011 @ 1:04 am
Larry:
I apologize for offending.
I do understand what you are saying, and I agree with you that many of the rich do give abundantly, and that is good. But it is also just as true that there are just as many rich folks who wouldn’t give you a dime if you starved to death.
I know several people who are “wealthy” who got wealthy by some very dishonest means. I had rather be poor and live in a shack than to get wealth by dishonesty. Now do not get me wrong, I am not making any accusations against anyone, I am just stating some facts which I feel are relevant to this discussion.
I am sorry that people get offended at what I say, but I just say it according to the evidence I see and hear.My old grandmother had a saying that could apply here, when someone got upset at something she said her reply was short and sweet.She said: ” If the shoe fits, then wear it. If it don’t fit you, then it isn’t yours”.
Back sometime ago, a letter to Frank Loeffler appeared on this website. It did not give the name of the writer; however, the writer was obviously trying to bring certain improprieties to public attention. It appears that the county “fathers” have chosen to ignore this person’s plight and follow the same conduct that has cost us many dollars in lost law suits because of reckless conduct and irresponsibility. It is like the old “bird poop” philosophy, “When it drops on you, let it stay there and dry, then you can just dust it off.” There is a definite problem at the county planning office.
Merry Christmas to all the honest and faithful county employees, your efforts are not unrecognized.
Native Son:
I have clearly stated my position. I have “never” said anything against education; I stress the value of education to my children and grandchildren.
I was not in any way putting down education, as you implied I was.
YES: I am fully aware that many wealthy people in our area has contributed very generously for the public good, for which I am very grateful to each and everyone. My comments about giving, and helping others was directed to you, not to the wealthy and rich.
And what I was referring to was not giving to and supporting great public causes. I was referring to giving to, and freely helping individuals, and families who, through no fault of their own, are in need of help.
The wealthy and rich giving generously to the causes you named, does-not put food on the table of needy people. It does not put clothes on the children whose parents can not find a job because of the economy our government has put us in.
There are people, families with children, who are homeless through no fault of their own who need a hand-up, and are not looking for a hand-out, they just want a chance to work and live a normal life.
When I said there is no greater joy in this life than giving and helping others, I was not referring to building a new playground, or expanding the junior college. I was talking about helping honest hard working people who are needing some understanding of their plight, and assistance in getting back on their feet and supporting themselves again.
Native Son: there is no greater joy in this world than giving, and helping others, and truly expecting nothing in return. Now: You have not listened to, or understood, anything I have said previously. So as far as I am concerned; end of discussion.
You have no earthly idea what time I donate and have donated nor what resources I have donated.
I have understood you to unequivocally complain about rent. Nowhere had you suggested, as you now imply, that taking $400 a month in rent instead of $1,000 a month by some big “richy” types was going to end world hunger yet these “richy” type folks, as you seem to have assumed I am, are now keeping hungry homeless folks from starting businesses downtown.
You have yet to indicate the onerous burden that the powers that be have erected to keep these starving, homeless (through no fault of their own)business owner wannabes from following their dreams into the business world. What are these barriers that the city has imposed?
I am too educated, too educated by far, to suffer fools too gladly. Good day, sir.
Comment by Native Son — December 27, 2011 @ 2:25 pm
Mr. Larry, Mr. Larry say it ain’t so!!! You mean to tell me that OUR county employees need a WRITTEN policy to stop them from telling LIES, STEALING, and Defrauding the taxpayers? We are doomed! Politicians and their sacred staffs not lie???? That’s like telling my dog not to eat the bacon! The commission spending $70000.00 for a gas pump because the finance director cannot account for the fuel in cars, trucks and equipment, is that in order to cancel the Georgia Credit Cards? (ie. syphon hose). Why can’t we just get people to exercise honesty in the first place?
Comment by RC — December 14, 2011 @ 2:24 pmThis is about the article of storage problem. There is a whole middle school sitting in West Bainbridge. What is being done with it and why couldn’t they use class rooms for storage. Put solid door with good locks on this and assign each dept a certain hall.Just an idea.
Comment by me — December 14, 2011 @ 4:43 pmAbsolutely use what we have! The school sounds like a great idea. We have a beautiful town but so many empty buildings that need to be used, renovated or torn down. I am sure there are plenty of grants, low interest loan, etc. to help with these types of projects. Let’s name a few: Propex ,AF&Y, Kmart, The mall, The old Libaray, west Bainbridge middle School, and lets not get started on anything on the square
Comment by Georgia — December 15, 2011 @ 8:58 amI have to agree with the first poster. I can’t tell what precipitated this “addition” to the manual. What I will say is that this matter was already covered in the manual and what is the point in re-writing what is already inherently expected of all employees? Does repeating yourself ever make something more valid? There is something really bad festering in the county offices and on the commission. I wonder what will happen next because, as Perry Mason used to say, “The truth will out,” and there is nothing this current government can do to stop this from happening. Lies and cover-ups only lead to more of the same and at some point county and city officials will be held accountable for their conduct. Too bad the local media is afraid to investigate these matters more thoroughly.
Comment by If I may say — December 15, 2011 @ 11:30 amThe day of reckoning is approaching. Eventually, lies show themselves and the truth comes out. Plus, as Bainbridge continues to grow, and it will with more new folks, and as our young ‘uns become more adults, and as the old ‘uns get even older, well, it is not all that far off.
Comment by Maxwell — December 16, 2011 @ 9:08 amSpeaking of all the buildings and stores sitting vacant in Bainbridge.
There are two major reasons whay they are sitting vacant, other than the economy.
1) Is that the rent/lease the owners demand is so high that many of us who would like to start a small business cannot afford the rent while just getting started.
But the attitude of most owners is that they had rather the building sit empty, than to let someone use it at a very low rent until they can get a business up and running.
2) The Bainbridge city regulations and restrictions is very burdensome for a very small business just trying to get started.
Until the city, and the property owners, come to realize that many of us who would love to start a small business in Bainbridge do not have unlimited finiances to cover all the high cost, just starting out, the buildings will remain empty, and Bainbridge will remain without the services and products we could offer.
Comment by J-Paul — December 18, 2011 @ 12:00 amJ.Paul:You are so RIGHT. A BLIGHT has hit the City,leadership is needed to correct this problem.
Comment by Ted Snell — December 18, 2011 @ 7:50 amWhoa, Horsey! Are you suggesting that the government compel private citizens to accept less rent than they demand? Sorry, folks, but government is a little to big right as it is. If you want to start a business,write up a business plan. Go to the SBA. Take out a loan. If your idea has any merit, you will get the loan with a solid plan and having done your homework. Small business fantasies are one thing, but if you don’t even care enough about your idea to get it off the ground, then don’t whine when you can’t pay the reasonable rent someone is charging. If your idea is not even good enough to attract your friends as investors, then why would a landlord want to buy into it? Incorporate and sell shares, the American way, and let your ideas sink or swim in the market arena. It is not because the powers that be won’t let you in, it is because you haven’t the courage of your business convictions to make it.
If you don’t believe in your ideas enough to take a second mortgage out on your home and refinance your vehicles, raid your savings, IRAs and kids’ college funds and max those cards out, why would you expect a landlord to believe in it enough to give you reduced rent only to have to go through the pain in the backside of evicting you later.
Comment by Native Son — December 18, 2011 @ 5:51 pmNative Son: Let’s just keep the property vacant and in most cases run down.When most of us drive downtown we see more than half of our store fronts run down and vacant.
Comment by Ted Snell — December 19, 2011 @ 8:24 amRight on, Native Son!!!
Comment by Maxwell — December 19, 2011 @ 10:02 amNative Son, your kind of mentality is exactly typical of the narrow-minded, live-in-the-dark ages, thinking that has plagued our county and city. You had better start thinking out of the box or Bainbridge will be a city supported by the checks coming to people who will not work for what they receive. Mr. Snell is one of the people who can actually see the problem. You are one of those people who drive down the same old street so many times you cannot keep up with where you are because the scenery you are accustomed to seeing never changes. Wake up and smell the coffee, change is always coming…some quick and some at glacial speed.
Comment by RC — December 19, 2011 @ 11:08 amNative Son: You are so RIGHT. I agree 100%!
Comment by JP — December 20, 2011 @ 9:58 amSorry, RC, I really could not understand your objection to what I said through the personal attacks. What did you object to in my post?
Why can’t you go to the SBA and get a loan since you seem to have ideas for a business and can´t find a landlord to subsidize it. If you are incapable of writing a coherent business plan, let me know and I will contact you. I do charge a nominal fee for my services. I can also coach you through the DBA/fictitious name registration, Tax Certificates/ Professional-Occupational certificates,and EIN. Decisions about the best business structure should be discussed with a competent attorney, and I can recommend some and tell you what has worked for me and my situation.If you need a web presence, I have a network of professionals that would be happy to help you (they are in business, and will not work for free either).
If you want something for nothing, free rent, aren’t willing to sacrifice, lazy, not industrious, not willing to gamble your security now for the chance at a successful business in the future, and sweat equity broke, then you are not cut out for business anyway. I won’t waste my time with you. It will be easier for you to sit on the sidelines complaining that ‘the man’ has kept you down because a property owner wouldn’t give you something for nothing.
Comment by Native Son — December 20, 2011 @ 10:01 amI see we have another fatality in Decatur County. Of two who refuse to wear their seat belt, one is ejected from the vehicle and dead on scene while the other one is life flighted to Tallahassee. Buckled in, minor injuries.
Comment by Hawkeye — December 20, 2011 @ 7:42 pmNative Son: I totally reiterate the Dec. 19th comment by RC.
In my earlier posting I was not saying that government should make property owners lower the rent/lease on their property.
What I said, in plain English, was that owners are greedy, and they just plain demand too much rent/lease for their property. Especially considering today’s economy.
Also: Everybody who wants to have a small business, and could be successful, does not want to make a major federal case out of having just a small scale operation. Neither are we looking for a landlord to “subsidize” our business, or give us anything. Obviously you are to highly educated to understand that all small businesses do not need, or want, a professionally designed and structured business plan.
Have you ever heard of the “Mom & Pop” type businesses? They operate on a very low scale, they are not looking to grow into a new Wal-Mart. They just want to remain on a small scale, make a fair living, treat all their customers like friends, be honest and fair with everyone, and have just a “small” business, operated by Mom & Pop.
There are many of us who cannot take a second mortgage, or any of the other options available to the rich folks, that you mentioned.
Native Son; ( or any property owner) I would like for you to answer one question for me, Please: Say you have a building for rent/lease and you are asking $1000.00 ( one-thousand) per month and it is sitting empty. Which is better: rent it to someone for say $400.00 per month and be receiving that much each month. Or let it continue to sit empty, and an eyesore to the community? Sitting empty, you are collecting nothing, and in the present economy it most likely will remain empty for a long time. So which is actually more profitable?
Greed, is what has destroyed this nation’s economy. Yet the greedy remains blinded to that fact. And they continue to be driven by greed.
Comment by J-Paul — December 21, 2011 @ 12:37 amI agree that greed is what is wrong with our country, and the fact that we have left God out of our nation. God has not left us, we have left him. We need to elect officials that can bring us back to God. Go to church on Sunday and see how many people you can count, then go to other establishment and count the people there.
Comment by Willie — December 22, 2011 @ 11:25 amWhy should our county employees need a written policy they know when they lie and stealing something. They should get not be able to work when they are caught stealing. There are to many goof people looking for jobs that would be honest. So I say get rid of then.
Comment by CO — December 22, 2011 @ 11:31 amJ-Paul
Even Mom and Pops should have a business plan. Sticking to their asking price on rent preserves the value of their (and surrounding) property. Some may hold the property as part of a long term strategy. Expenses (including depreciation) for managing, conserving, or maintaining the property while the property is vacant as well as points, mortgage interest, and insurance can be used to off set taxable income from profitable properties. If an owner has tenants who have been paying a fair market rent for years, and someone comes in and only pays the %40 percent you suggest, it would mean earlier tenants would be unhappy with the contracts they operate under. One tenant who pays fair market value is better than two and a half tenants paying %40 of fair market value. It is not greedy to demand fair market value for what is yours.
Laziness, not greed, is what has destroyed this country’s economy. We have an entitlement minded populace who, instead of working hard to compete in a free market, complain that they are ‘rich folks’ and are eaten up with petty class envy and want something for nothing. We have a country that rewards indolence. We have people who feel wronged if someone does not hand over their property for what the asker offers. We have people with a lazy mentality who believe writing up a simple business plan to get a SBA loan and pay themselves a $15,000 salary and reasonable rent until they get their business on its feet sounds like too much hard work.
We have people who can’t compete in the business world denigrate education by saying, “You are to(o) educated to understand…”, who think that it is too much hard work to go to the free SBA site and learn something about business or to take courses on entrepreneurship at one of the surrounding community colleges. No, it is easier to say that the landlords wont give them something for nothing instead of getting off their backside and making it happen. How about a goal being to pay a fair rent instead of making yourself and their friends happy? Maybe people think that when they open this fantasy business, the customers should just be able to walk in to the place where the business owner is only paying %40 of fair market rent and tell them what they will pay them for their goods or services? Maybe people want to return to a barter system and take payment in chickens or eggs and then figure out the taxes owed on them?
Please tell me the onerous burden the city places to open a business? Call the Chamber of Commerce, and someone will be happy to help you through the maze(but if you do and they help you, be sure to join the Chamber and not just ask for something for nothing, and not offer them %40 of the dues either). A free ride is what got us in this mess, not capitalism.
If a person has been too irresponsible with their personal finances to be able to avail themselves of the ideas I put forth earlier, I don´t have much faith in their ability to run a straight business and not treat the till as their personal ATM. Merry Christmas, and don´t quit your day job, I don’t think you have what it takes to make it in business.
Comment by Native Son — December 22, 2011 @ 6:13 pmNative Son:
You seem to be hung-up on this notion that I am wanting someone to “give” me something.
I am not wanting anyone to give me anything. Believe me, I work hard for every dollar I get, and I do operate a small business for which I do fairly well. But the present economy has hurt my business as well as it has many others. My business is down about 50% from where it was four years ago. It isn’t because I am lazy, my customers tell me they just do not have the money they had four years ago, therefore they can’t spend as much as they did.
Many businesses have went belly up because of the economy and record numbers of people without jobs or incomes. Therefore I thank God everyday for what I do have.
So if the rich folks who owns the empty buildings believe they are more profitable sitting empty; then so be it. When they eventually find that “all” their buildings are empty, then I guess their properties will all be extremely valuable then. When Bainbridge, the malls and the shopping centers become empty storefronts, then the owners will be happy at how profitable their properties have become.
One more point: You keep talking about someone wanting to be subsidized, and looking for a handout, while talking about how great the SBA is, and that we should get a business plan and go to the SBA for a government loan. Well: Isn’t going to the SBA and asking for a loan the same as expecting the TAX-PAYERS to give you a handout, and subsidize your risky business venture?
The government has its nose deep enough into our business already, don’t you think?
And NO!! You are wrong. Mom & Pop type business Do-Not need, or want a drawn-up business plan. They just simply perform a service, sell their products, and enjoy their profits.
Comment by J-Paul — December 22, 2011 @ 11:08 pmI have been in business for 18-years and I have done quite well. I have never had a business model or plan. And I have never been to the SBA, or the chamber of commerce. Or needed the services of a business consultant.
I restate my earlier statement: You are obviously to highly educated to understand the life of us simple folks. And one of the greatest joys in life is giving to (helping) others who have less.
I’m going to jump in here and splain something to you. I’m certain your bashing of the “rich folk” is because you are not aware of what many do for our charities.
Believe me or not, up to you, but those that have worked hard and done well do donate to those less fortunate. How in the world do you think the Salvation Army is able to do all they do for people? Nothing comes from the government, all from donations. And that is just one charity. How many other charities that do so much for people are there? And I will add, you do not know because the folks that do give substantial dollars to charity do not want you to know, it is a gift they give, period.
So back off a bit on the most giving nation on earth, you are not privy to know what those “greedy” people really do, and never will.
Comment by Larry — December 22, 2011 @ 11:45 pmA loan at interest is not a subsidy. You might consider taking a part time job. I often work outside my business to make ends meet. Bottom line, I won’t complain about how you run your business. You also have no just complaint about how others run their real estate ventures. If your business is no longer viable, you might just need to reenter the job market. It is humbling, but only you can read the writing on your wall.
Larry has pointed out something I have said before. Why do we have a public library? A YMCA? Who do you think got Bainbridge (Junior) College off the ground? Who donated the land for the local parks? Who are the Bearcat Boosters?
In lieu of a thoughtful answer to my question about the onerous burden the city places on people who want to start a business, you continue to press ahead with attacking education as if it is some type of evil. I took the time to explain how property owners might be protecting their asset (I did forget to mention that the property taxes can also be used to offset a profitable property as well). The honest assessment of the insurmountable barriers from the vox populi would be much appreciated.
Comment by Native Son — December 23, 2011 @ 1:04 amLarry:
I apologize for offending.
I do understand what you are saying, and I agree with you that many of the rich do give abundantly, and that is good. But it is also just as true that there are just as many rich folks who wouldn’t give you a dime if you starved to death.
I know several people who are “wealthy” who got wealthy by some very dishonest means. I had rather be poor and live in a shack than to get wealth by dishonesty. Now do not get me wrong, I am not making any accusations against anyone, I am just stating some facts which I feel are relevant to this discussion.
I am sorry that people get offended at what I say, but I just say it according to the evidence I see and hear.My old grandmother had a saying that could apply here, when someone got upset at something she said her reply was short and sweet.She said: ” If the shoe fits, then wear it. If it don’t fit you, then it isn’t yours”.
Comment by J-Paul — December 23, 2011 @ 5:55 amBack sometime ago, a letter to Frank Loeffler appeared on this website. It did not give the name of the writer; however, the writer was obviously trying to bring certain improprieties to public attention. It appears that the county “fathers” have chosen to ignore this person’s plight and follow the same conduct that has cost us many dollars in lost law suits because of reckless conduct and irresponsibility. It is like the old “bird poop” philosophy, “When it drops on you, let it stay there and dry, then you can just dust it off.” There is a definite problem at the county planning office.
Merry Christmas to all the honest and faithful county employees, your efforts are not unrecognized.
Comment by RC — December 24, 2011 @ 12:35 pmNative Son:
Comment by J-Paul — December 25, 2011 @ 9:05 pmI have clearly stated my position. I have “never” said anything against education; I stress the value of education to my children and grandchildren.
I was not in any way putting down education, as you implied I was.
YES: I am fully aware that many wealthy people in our area has contributed very generously for the public good, for which I am very grateful to each and everyone. My comments about giving, and helping others was directed to you, not to the wealthy and rich.
And what I was referring to was not giving to and supporting great public causes. I was referring to giving to, and freely helping individuals, and families who, through no fault of their own, are in need of help.
The wealthy and rich giving generously to the causes you named, does-not put food on the table of needy people. It does not put clothes on the children whose parents can not find a job because of the economy our government has put us in.
There are people, families with children, who are homeless through no fault of their own who need a hand-up, and are not looking for a hand-out, they just want a chance to work and live a normal life.
When I said there is no greater joy in this life than giving and helping others, I was not referring to building a new playground, or expanding the junior college. I was talking about helping honest hard working people who are needing some understanding of their plight, and assistance in getting back on their feet and supporting themselves again.
Native Son: there is no greater joy in this world than giving, and helping others, and truly expecting nothing in return. Now: You have not listened to, or understood, anything I have said previously. So as far as I am concerned; end of discussion.
You have no earthly idea what time I donate and have donated nor what resources I have donated.
I have understood you to unequivocally complain about rent. Nowhere had you suggested, as you now imply, that taking $400 a month in rent instead of $1,000 a month by some big “richy” types was going to end world hunger yet these “richy” type folks, as you seem to have assumed I am, are now keeping hungry homeless folks from starting businesses downtown.
You have yet to indicate the onerous burden that the powers that be have erected to keep these starving, homeless (through no fault of their own)business owner wannabes from following their dreams into the business world. What are these barriers that the city has imposed?
I am too educated, too educated by far, to suffer fools too gladly. Good day, sir.
Comment by Native Son — December 27, 2011 @ 2:25 pm