XML FeedsVirginia Beach Light Rail - Light Rail Now?
By Wally on Aug 6, 2010 | In Politics, Va Beach, Light Rail Crime | 45 feedbacks »
Light rail-yes campaign
They're baaaaack
The names have changed but the game is the same. Special interest developers, bankers, with a token sprinkling of individuals to lend faux broad-based legitimacy has emerged to launch a public relations campaign. This time instead of the Yes campaign and a regional sales tax, it's Light Rail Now and extending the untested Norfolk Tide to the Virginia Beach Ocean front.
Follow up:
Fronted by Virginia Beach Visions fund-raising, the group's command center is a Williams Mullen law firm conference room. William W. Harrison, Jr, former Virginia Beach City Councilman, is a partner in the firm, as well as Vice-President of Central Business District, Director of Town Bank (Mayor Will Sessoms is President), and member of Visions. Harrison is known for crafting public-private ventures for municipal parking facilities, an outdoor amphitheater, a soccer stadium, a TPC Golf Course, hotel and conference center projects.
Virginia Beach Visions President is Michael J. Barrett who also is CEO of Runnymede a commercial real estate development and management firm. Barrett commented "Our goal (VB Visions) is to ensure that our citizens are so well informed and so supportive of the extension of light rail through Virginia Beach, that members of City Council will conclude that a referendum is unnecessary."
"Any candidate for (Virginia Beach City) Council who opposes light rail will feel the cost of swimming against the tide." - Michael J. Barrett
The Light Rail Now group is keeping the source or their contributions behind a veil of secrecy. Rigell Scott, Republican candidate for congress in Virginia's second district which includes Virginia Beach, is a member of Virginia Beach Visions. Rigell's $10,000 contribution to the Yes campaign has been a thorn in his side in attesting to his conservative credentials. A campaign spokesman stated that Rigell has not contributed to the Light Rail Now group.
Unlike the Yes campaign which was to win a referendum, the Light Rail Now goal is to deny the electorate a referendum by pressuring and intimidating city council members with the appearance of supposed electorate acceptance.
If Light Rail Now fails to overt a referendum, the public relations challenge to mitigate the numerous negative aspects of previous light rail projects will be a magnanimous task. Aside from cost over runs and significant subsidized operational costs, the associated light rail crime and safety issues will be the subject of heated discussions.
45 comments
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Darn funny how you pretend to know the composition of Light Rail Now when the official media rollout hasn't even happened yet. There's much more meat on the bone than you try to mislead your readers into believing.
08/08/10 @ 18:49
Comment from: Wally [Member] 
Interesting that you can question my statements with nothing but innuendo. What specifically is misleading? Did Scott Rigell really contribute to the organization? Is Barrett not who I said he is or did I misquote him? Is Harrison not who I said he is? What is misleading other than your "meatless" post?
08/08/10 @ 19:39
Wally,
Thank you for exposing this corrupt group to the public and naming names. I learned new information from it.
The majority of Beach taxpayers oppose Beach light rail development funded with taxpayer's money.
Beach light rail development could easily surpass one billion dollars.
Every Beach family paying property and/or income taxes could pay $5,000 per family to build it and another $500 a year on more to subsidize it each subsequent year. Few would ride it and they would mostly be people who do not pay income and/or property taxes.
Oppose taxpayer funded Beach light rail development that would benefit corrupt politicians and corrupt developers!
Car dealer Scott Rigell is a member of the corrupt VB Visions?!! That may sink his chance of being elected this November.
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
Thank you for exposing this corrupt group to the public and naming names. I learned new information from it.
The majority of Beach taxpayers oppose Beach light rail development funded with taxpayer's money.
Beach light rail development could easily surpass one billion dollars.
Every Beach family paying property and/or income taxes could pay $5,000 per family to build it and another $500 a year on more to subsidize it each subsequent year. Few would ride it and they would mostly be people who do not pay income and/or property taxes.
Oppose taxpayer funded Beach light rail development that would benefit corrupt politicians and corrupt developers!
Car dealer Scott Rigell is a member of the corrupt VB Visions?!! That may sink his chance of being elected this November.
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
08/08/10 @ 22:17
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Wally,
I was specifically refering to the second sentence in your post, where you claim to know the composition of Light Rail Now's Board. Given that it has yet to be publicly announced, how do you know exactly who sits on it?
FYI, neither Barrett nor Harrison are Board members. In fact, Harrison wasn't even the conduit for getting use of the Williams Mullen conference room. However, you don't let facts like that get in the way of your post.
As for the money raised, it was so Board members would have no financial obligation to join and hold office. Not some conspiracy.
I was specifically refering to the second sentence in your post, where you claim to know the composition of Light Rail Now's Board. Given that it has yet to be publicly announced, how do you know exactly who sits on it?
FYI, neither Barrett nor Harrison are Board members. In fact, Harrison wasn't even the conduit for getting use of the Williams Mullen conference room. However, you don't let facts like that get in the way of your post.
As for the money raised, it was so Board members would have no financial obligation to join and hold office. Not some conspiracy.
08/09/10 @ 02:35
Comment from: Wally [Member]
How naive do you expect one to be? Virginia Beach Visions claims impetus for this, its front group. Please don't try to even convenience the most casual of observers who are the key core of this endeavor. The loose lips of Virginia Beach Visions' ostentatious leadership is sufficient to unearth Light Rail Now's Wizard of Oz -like authorship.
08/09/10 @ 05:48
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Wally,
Since only a few Vision (it's singular) members are also on the LRN Board, they don't control how the money is actually spent once it hits the account. After all, only voting Directors can do that.
What bothers you more? LRN showing how broadly-based LRT support is? That the group might be a springboard for further business community/grassroots endeavors?
Face it: there was no organized support group in 1999. You and opponents never dreamed of one this broad-based and well-financed being formed, and now you're staring down the barrel of a gun. Ah, that's a Siemens train bearing down on you. ROFL!
Since only a few Vision (it's singular) members are also on the LRN Board, they don't control how the money is actually spent once it hits the account. After all, only voting Directors can do that.
What bothers you more? LRN showing how broadly-based LRT support is? That the group might be a springboard for further business community/grassroots endeavors?
Face it: there was no organized support group in 1999. You and opponents never dreamed of one this broad-based and well-financed being formed, and now you're staring down the barrel of a gun. Ah, that's a Siemens train bearing down on you. ROFL!
08/09/10 @ 08:39
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
Isn't it interesing that Will Sessoms APPOINTED Mr. Harrison to be the CHAIR of the so-called "CITIZEN'S Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) that was stood up by the TPO (Transportation Planning organization), formally known as the MPO.
Isn't it even more interesting that Henry Ryto was APPOINTED as the Chair the HRT/TDCHR's Transit Riders’ Advisory Committee (TRAC)?
Isn't it even more interesting that Henry Ryto was APPOINTED as the Chair the HRT/TDCHR's Transit Riders’ Advisory Committee (TRAC)?
08/09/10 @ 10:56
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
It is not surprising to hear from the moribund VBTA and their sympathizers in opposition to transportation improvements like light rail. With broad based community support, the VBTA is moving forward to oppose a popular community initiative. Wally has aligned himself with other candidates who will drown the ticket in negativity and gloom. Remember these names: DeSteph, Moss, Erb, Hedrick. Just like the "DON'T DEW IT TEAM", they are their successors, and their opposition to projects that help keep our lowest tax rate in the region will doom their ticket.
08/09/10 @ 13:13
Comment from: Wally [Member]
1999? It appears your inferring that Light Rail Now is planning to eventually transition into a political entity. If that is in fact the case, I would suggest that Light Rail Now conform to the State Board of Election criteria for organizations, that make expenditures in a calendar year in excess of $1000 to advocate the passage or defeat of a referendum held in a single county or city.
This legalized veil of secrecy to hide and shelter sources already attests to the group's subterfuge.
This legalized veil of secrecy to hide and shelter sources already attests to the group's subterfuge.
08/09/10 @ 13:18
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Wally, you inferred something I did not imply. We are advocating for light rail and will continue to do so as we may. Stop with the predictions; you have enough trouble with the facts. Fact is, light rail is the low cost alternative for added mobility in this corridor. Why you and the VBTA are opposed to increased opportunity for mobility, and for an increased real estate tax base to lower residential taxes is beyond me. Voters have already figured this out when they gave the VBTA less than 16% of the vote last time; this time, it will be less than 10%.
08/09/10 @ 14:05
Comment from: Wally [Member]
Mr Barrett,
Sorry to disappoint you, I stand on my own two feet and I am not in league with any other candidate or non-partisan organization. Further, I am not seeking endorsements from any special interest organization or elected official other than that of the Libertarian Party of which I am a member. I am an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association (41 years) Virginia Beach Branch Lodge 99 and an active member of the Sons of Italy Roma Lodge Virgina Branch 254.
Most importantly, I am the only candidate in the 2010 Virginia Beach city council election that solemnly promises to advocate for and, abide with, a referendum for Light Rail in Virginia Beach. Further, in a leadership role, I will defend Virginia Beach's genre to remain a suburban, vacation, and farming community rather than succumbing to urbanization and gentrification.
I know that you Mr. Ryto may not agree with my position, but would hope in this democracy you would respect the right to express them.
Authorized by the candidate
Sorry to disappoint you, I stand on my own two feet and I am not in league with any other candidate or non-partisan organization. Further, I am not seeking endorsements from any special interest organization or elected official other than that of the Libertarian Party of which I am a member. I am an active member of the Fleet Reserve Association (41 years) Virginia Beach Branch Lodge 99 and an active member of the Sons of Italy Roma Lodge Virgina Branch 254.
Most importantly, I am the only candidate in the 2010 Virginia Beach city council election that solemnly promises to advocate for and, abide with, a referendum for Light Rail in Virginia Beach. Further, in a leadership role, I will defend Virginia Beach's genre to remain a suburban, vacation, and farming community rather than succumbing to urbanization and gentrification.
I know that you Mr. Ryto may not agree with my position, but would hope in this democracy you would respect the right to express them.
08/09/10 @ 14:07
Comment from: Marie Louise [Visitor]
Mr. Barrett
I have been watching the posts on this blog. I'm quite confused how Mr. Erb can be aligned with two of his opponents Mr. Moss and Mr. DeSteph? And what is with this Don't Dew it team?
I have been watching the posts on this blog. I'm quite confused how Mr. Erb can be aligned with two of his opponents Mr. Moss and Mr. DeSteph? And what is with this Don't Dew it team?
08/09/10 @ 14:15
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Well Wally, all your protestations to the contrary, you have been a vocal VBTA supporter for years; just because it may be convenient now to deny your past connections, that simply won't fly with the citizens who know of your history. Of course, those of us who advocate for the benefits of light rail would also agree that Virginia Beach will retain its beautiful subdivisions, agricultural areas, and oceanfront resort which attracts visitors and residents alike. We just want people to be able to get here.
08/09/10 @ 15:05
Comment from: alsaf [Visitor]
A number of Vision members are prominent companies; such as BB&T, Beach Ford, Gateway Bank, Freedom Automotive, State farm Insurance, Dollar Tree Stores, Fulton Bank, Merrill Lynch, Regent University, William Wood, These stellar companies would not tolerate the childish antics of an organization who is led by a loose canon who believes he speaks for 171,000 households. An organization who thinks nothing about spewing hate & engaging in character assassination while challenging the integrity of a grass roots organization. I could not say for sure, but a number of VBTA members are customers of the various banks and many may frequent the services and shop the retail & auto outlets of these organization.
08/09/10 @ 22:00
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Yes Al, you are correct. I can only assume that above, you are describing John Moss and the VBTA. Frankly, an organization that has so efficiently reduced whatever small influence it once had, to absolutely nothing today, to make such threats as Al makes above is simply another example of the delusional attitude of the VBTA. For an organization that could meet in a broom closet, making threats is quite unbecoming. Better to spend some time analyzing why the organization has become so moribund, out of touch, and fully delusional about its power and influence.
08/10/10 @ 07:14
Comment from: French Mackes [Visitor] · http://www.votefrench.com
G'd Day Mike,
Really! Just why exactly do you oppose the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Association (VBTA)?
This all volunteer association of concerned Americans is focused on eliminating wasteful government spending in the USA. They don't do this for money. They love the USA.
Mike, just why are you opposed to cutting and reducing wasteful government spending?
Mike, do you also oppose the Tea Party movement?
The Tea Party movement and the VBTA stand together in opposition to wasteful government spending. Americans have become sick and tired of wasteful government spending.
Why do you oppose the VBTA and attack its leaders without mercy?
Would you like a referral to a counselor that may be able to help you, Mike? Clearly, although you reasonably intelligent, you are a very disturbed individual.
Really, why do you oppose the VBTA and the Tea Party movement? Does this all stem from a childhood incident that traumatized you?
It appears that you stand to personally profit immensely if one billion dollars or more of taxpayer money is spend developing the un-needed Beach light rail. That explains your motivation for continuously promoting Beach light rail.
No more voter referendums are necessary on light rail. The public opposes it.
Why do you continue to publicly attack concerning citizens like John Moss without mercy? You should commend John for his numerous worthwhile volunteer efforts. Do you also oppose the Boy Scouts of America?
Shame, shame on you, Mike. You have become an embarrassment to Vision.
Mike, when will you resign from Vision and from all of your political appointee position(s)?
Are you waiting for Hell to freeze over?
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
Really! Just why exactly do you oppose the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Association (VBTA)?
This all volunteer association of concerned Americans is focused on eliminating wasteful government spending in the USA. They don't do this for money. They love the USA.
Mike, just why are you opposed to cutting and reducing wasteful government spending?
Mike, do you also oppose the Tea Party movement?
The Tea Party movement and the VBTA stand together in opposition to wasteful government spending. Americans have become sick and tired of wasteful government spending.
Why do you oppose the VBTA and attack its leaders without mercy?
Would you like a referral to a counselor that may be able to help you, Mike? Clearly, although you reasonably intelligent, you are a very disturbed individual.
Really, why do you oppose the VBTA and the Tea Party movement? Does this all stem from a childhood incident that traumatized you?
It appears that you stand to personally profit immensely if one billion dollars or more of taxpayer money is spend developing the un-needed Beach light rail. That explains your motivation for continuously promoting Beach light rail.
No more voter referendums are necessary on light rail. The public opposes it.
Why do you continue to publicly attack concerning citizens like John Moss without mercy? You should commend John for his numerous worthwhile volunteer efforts. Do you also oppose the Boy Scouts of America?
Shame, shame on you, Mike. You have become an embarrassment to Vision.
Mike, when will you resign from Vision and from all of your political appointee position(s)?
Are you waiting for Hell to freeze over?
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
08/10/10 @ 07:57
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Well French, you may have intended this as a rhetorical question, but frankly, I support efficiency in government, cost containment, and transparancy and would never agree that either the so called tea party or the VBTA has an exclusive right to these issues.
Fact is, they are similar in that no one really knows what they stand for, and in the case of the VBTA, their tactics and positions contradict their professed support for a lower tax burden for our residential taxpayers.
Fact is, the investment in commercial projects, which they have consistently opposed, has reduced our tax rate to the lowest in our region, yet they continue to oppose projects like light rail that will continue to spur private investment in commercial projects that will increase the size of the tax base.
You, and they, are simply on the wrong side of this issue.
Fact is, they are similar in that no one really knows what they stand for, and in the case of the VBTA, their tactics and positions contradict their professed support for a lower tax burden for our residential taxpayers.
Fact is, the investment in commercial projects, which they have consistently opposed, has reduced our tax rate to the lowest in our region, yet they continue to oppose projects like light rail that will continue to spur private investment in commercial projects that will increase the size of the tax base.
You, and they, are simply on the wrong side of this issue.
08/10/10 @ 09:22
Mike,
Hey now, who is to say who is right and wrong concerning Beach light rail development? Aren't are being a tad judgmental here?
I have a charity fundraiser proposal for you. Here goes -
You pick a mutually agreeable charity.
I organize a "Tar and Feather Mike Barrett and run him out of town on a Rail!" charity fund-raiser to coincide with the official opening of the Norfolk "Ride the Tide" Light Rail.
For a $100 donation (to your favorite charity) select members of the public could (in a friendly non-abusive manner with the fund raising spirit in mind) tar and feather you (with non-toxic organic chicken feathers) nearby the VA Beach / Norfolk City Line nearby the Newtown Road Light Rail Station. After you are tarred and feathered you may then climb aboard the light rail and ride it from Newtown Road to the eastern end of the line nearby EVMS where you could be picked up and cleaned off.
We will likely never see eye to eye on Beach light rail development. However, there are numerous worthy causes that could benefit from additional financial assistance.
What do you think?
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
Hey now, who is to say who is right and wrong concerning Beach light rail development? Aren't are being a tad judgmental here?
I have a charity fundraiser proposal for you. Here goes -
You pick a mutually agreeable charity.
I organize a "Tar and Feather Mike Barrett and run him out of town on a Rail!" charity fund-raiser to coincide with the official opening of the Norfolk "Ride the Tide" Light Rail.
For a $100 donation (to your favorite charity) select members of the public could (in a friendly non-abusive manner with the fund raising spirit in mind) tar and feather you (with non-toxic organic chicken feathers) nearby the VA Beach / Norfolk City Line nearby the Newtown Road Light Rail Station. After you are tarred and feathered you may then climb aboard the light rail and ride it from Newtown Road to the eastern end of the line nearby EVMS where you could be picked up and cleaned off.
We will likely never see eye to eye on Beach light rail development. However, there are numerous worthy causes that could benefit from additional financial assistance.
What do you think?
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
08/10/10 @ 10:33
Comment from: alsaf [Visitor]
No meaningful dialogue is achievable with MJB. Obscure opinions are stated as fact, knowing full well the content is well beyond superficial. VBTA primary agenda was & still is to reduce the tax burden for each of the 171,000 households & 29,000 small businesses in VB. Since its inception, VBTA has adopted an organizational policy to help eliminate the "massive" tax subsidies supported by MJB which range from $50 to $100 mil annually. When the City Manager sought to raise real estate taxes, Mike fervently supported the tax hike & was shot down by most of council. Suggesting that VBTA does not support commercial growth is a shameful lie. VBTA has sought to eliminate BPOL tax since its inception. Mike has supported almost all City policies on expenditures, debt service, & raising revenues with constant fee hikes with almost a religious fervor.!
08/10/10 @ 14:27
Comment from: Brian K [Visitor]
One bright note on closing the Joint Forces Command, it will knock 6,000 commuters out of the base traffic snarl. Now open the HOV to military in uniform and we are sailing.
08/10/10 @ 14:39
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
Mr. Barrett deos not require tar and feathers. he is free to express his point of view like anyone else.
Of course ... he doesn't tell the honest truth - he "spins". Hoping to confuse the issue with his decpetive talking points.
For example, Mike likes to claim that the commercial development gives VA Beach the lowest tax RATE in the "region". He simply fails to mention that beach families do not pay the least amount of TAXES for thier homes, on a square foot home-to-home comparison. The tax RATE is only one aspect of the TAXES we pay on our homes.
Businesses pay very little of the bulk of the city's Real estate taxes. Beach HOMEOWNERS pay the vast majority of the taxes.
Light rail along the old NS corridow, the 10.6 miles from Newtown Road to the Convention Center will cost roughly $530 Million tax dollars to construct (based on $50M a mile). It will move very few people (about 3,000 tops) during the 2 rush hours each day. It will add, according to HRT, at least $8M a year in new operating costs for Beach families. It will NOT, repeat N-O-T reduce exisitng traffic congestion along the RT 264 corridor.
We have far greater needs than this DEVELOPER scam. Considering our city budget is facing roughly over a $100M shortfall each year during the next 5 years, we cannot afford this "investment". The "TOD" promised will not happen because DEVELOPERS can no longer borrow the hundreds of millions required.
Of course ... he doesn't tell the honest truth - he "spins". Hoping to confuse the issue with his decpetive talking points.
For example, Mike likes to claim that the commercial development gives VA Beach the lowest tax RATE in the "region". He simply fails to mention that beach families do not pay the least amount of TAXES for thier homes, on a square foot home-to-home comparison. The tax RATE is only one aspect of the TAXES we pay on our homes.
Businesses pay very little of the bulk of the city's Real estate taxes. Beach HOMEOWNERS pay the vast majority of the taxes.
Light rail along the old NS corridow, the 10.6 miles from Newtown Road to the Convention Center will cost roughly $530 Million tax dollars to construct (based on $50M a mile). It will move very few people (about 3,000 tops) during the 2 rush hours each day. It will add, according to HRT, at least $8M a year in new operating costs for Beach families. It will NOT, repeat N-O-T reduce exisitng traffic congestion along the RT 264 corridor.
We have far greater needs than this DEVELOPER scam. Considering our city budget is facing roughly over a $100M shortfall each year during the next 5 years, we cannot afford this "investment". The "TOD" promised will not happen because DEVELOPERS can no longer borrow the hundreds of millions required.
08/10/10 @ 14:54
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Regretfully, Al simply does not understand nor appreciate how the moribund VBTA has consistently opposed every quality commercial real estate project that has added to the tax base and helped Virginia Beach have the lowest real estate tax rate in the region.
Ironically, they have worked aggressively against the interests of the taxpayers of this fine City. It is time for this moribund, secretive, diversity challenged and totally out of touch organization to simply fade away.
If Al and French Mackes are the only two citizens who will speak for the organization, it won't be too soon.
Ironically, they have worked aggressively against the interests of the taxpayers of this fine City. It is time for this moribund, secretive, diversity challenged and totally out of touch organization to simply fade away.
If Al and French Mackes are the only two citizens who will speak for the organization, it won't be too soon.
08/10/10 @ 15:33
Comment from: al Saf [Visitor]
Mike, there is no way you can support that statement "VBTA has consistently opposed every quality real estate project" unless your alluding to projects that receive subsidies such as a conference center or a garage for either a hotel or an office building. No developer in the free open market should have to contend with making an investment that directly competes with another developer who receives a subsidy on a vital component of a competing office, hotel or residential building in order to reduce his risk or overhead. This fosters unfair competition by helping some firms over another.
08/10/10 @ 20:09
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Talking about spin, Reid lays it on thick.
The TPO forecasts that virtually the entire region's interstate network will be at Grade E or F (Severe) congestion by 2030. Rather than inhaling fumes in a car moving 10 mph, you could be on the train. Build it and they will ride.
His claim that TOD won't happen is wishful thinking. First, today's credit market won't be the market in 5-8 years. Second, as bad as things are today, Phoenix is setting TOD records. Yes, Arizona was one of the hardest hit states in the nation by the mortgage crisis.
The TPO forecasts that virtually the entire region's interstate network will be at Grade E or F (Severe) congestion by 2030. Rather than inhaling fumes in a car moving 10 mph, you could be on the train. Build it and they will ride.
His claim that TOD won't happen is wishful thinking. First, today's credit market won't be the market in 5-8 years. Second, as bad as things are today, Phoenix is setting TOD records. Yes, Arizona was one of the hardest hit states in the nation by the mortgage crisis.
08/10/10 @ 20:57
Mike,
You know that I do not speak for the VBTA nor have I ever claimed too.
Know that I will personally volunteer my time to publicly defend the VBTA and the Hampton Roads Tea Party from your dishonest public smears against them. If they were in-effective you would not be attacking. They are making a difference. Therefore, you attack them. The devil attacks those that make a difference.
I'm disappointed. I really was hoping you'd agree to VOLUNTARILY participate in "The tar and feather Mike Barrett and run him out of town on a rail" charity fund raising event! I was thinking that the participants could dress in costumes from the late 1800's, like a silent movie, and that you could carry a big rolled up scroll of the plans for the VA Beach Light Rail project with you as the public runs you out of town covered in gooey road tar (symbolizing the need to properly maintain existing roads) and chicken feathers.
I would be willing to donate extra money to a charity if Mike would agree to not speak English but to simply cluck like a chicken and flap his arms like they were wings as he boarded his treasured new Norfolk light rail train and head west from VA Beach (where most taxpayers hold their elected REPRESENTATIVES accountable and overwhelming oppose the unneeded VA Beach light rail proposal!)
So much for my unification attempt for a common good cause.
I guess for now (Light Rail Now, Vision, Slick Willy Sessoms, VBTA, Tea Partiers, etc.) won't all be singing "We are the World" together in unison to raise money for charity anytime soon? Oh well. Life goes on...
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
You know that I do not speak for the VBTA nor have I ever claimed too.
Know that I will personally volunteer my time to publicly defend the VBTA and the Hampton Roads Tea Party from your dishonest public smears against them. If they were in-effective you would not be attacking. They are making a difference. Therefore, you attack them. The devil attacks those that make a difference.
I'm disappointed. I really was hoping you'd agree to VOLUNTARILY participate in "The tar and feather Mike Barrett and run him out of town on a rail" charity fund raising event! I was thinking that the participants could dress in costumes from the late 1800's, like a silent movie, and that you could carry a big rolled up scroll of the plans for the VA Beach Light Rail project with you as the public runs you out of town covered in gooey road tar (symbolizing the need to properly maintain existing roads) and chicken feathers.
I would be willing to donate extra money to a charity if Mike would agree to not speak English but to simply cluck like a chicken and flap his arms like they were wings as he boarded his treasured new Norfolk light rail train and head west from VA Beach (where most taxpayers hold their elected REPRESENTATIVES accountable and overwhelming oppose the unneeded VA Beach light rail proposal!)
So much for my unification attempt for a common good cause.
I guess for now (Light Rail Now, Vision, Slick Willy Sessoms, VBTA, Tea Partiers, etc.) won't all be singing "We are the World" together in unison to raise money for charity anytime soon? Oh well. Life goes on...
French Mackes
www.votefrench.com
Constitution Party of Virginia
08/10/10 @ 21:27
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
To quote Ronald Reagan, "Well ... there he goes again." Mike Barrett attempts to deceieve people by carefully discussing the tax R-A-T-E, not the actual taxes we Beach home owners pay.
Taxes are not low in Virginia Beach and the taxes paid are over 85% from the private citizens and not the commercial businesses. Mike wants to bring up the tax rate - but, it has skyrocketed since 2000. Do you realize that the tax RATE should be only 52 cents per $100 of assessed value, instead of 89 cents per $100 of assessed value?
The City Council had to vote, year after year, to raise the automatically lowered tax RATE that was lowered to offset the tax increases that exceed 1% per year, due to skyrocketing assessed value. Assessed value that we all now know was FALSE value - over valued and over taxed.
Only in the world of insider developers, politically influential law firms, and bankers can someone attempt to claim that wasting $530M tax dollars on a low capacity 10.6 mile light rail train and adding at lease $8M a year in new costs to our city budget will we "reduce our tax rate".
Really?
Robert Dean is correct when he sums it up so well ...
Light Rail = Heavy Taxes
Mike Barrett likes to spin away that his "TOD" "visions" are magically going to appear and flood the city coffers with untold wealth from new tax dollars.
Really? And where exactly is Mike and his gang of con artists going to borrow the hundreds of millions of dollars required to build all this expensive mixed use, tall rise TOD?
Grandby Tower is a stark reminder of the reality of "TOD". It remains a huge hole, right next to Norfolks 7.4 mile light rail train wreck.
Taxes are not low in Virginia Beach and the taxes paid are over 85% from the private citizens and not the commercial businesses. Mike wants to bring up the tax rate - but, it has skyrocketed since 2000. Do you realize that the tax RATE should be only 52 cents per $100 of assessed value, instead of 89 cents per $100 of assessed value?
The City Council had to vote, year after year, to raise the automatically lowered tax RATE that was lowered to offset the tax increases that exceed 1% per year, due to skyrocketing assessed value. Assessed value that we all now know was FALSE value - over valued and over taxed.
Only in the world of insider developers, politically influential law firms, and bankers can someone attempt to claim that wasting $530M tax dollars on a low capacity 10.6 mile light rail train and adding at lease $8M a year in new costs to our city budget will we "reduce our tax rate".
Really?
Robert Dean is correct when he sums it up so well ...
Light Rail = Heavy Taxes
Mike Barrett likes to spin away that his "TOD" "visions" are magically going to appear and flood the city coffers with untold wealth from new tax dollars.
Really? And where exactly is Mike and his gang of con artists going to borrow the hundreds of millions of dollars required to build all this expensive mixed use, tall rise TOD?
Grandby Tower is a stark reminder of the reality of "TOD". It remains a huge hole, right next to Norfolks 7.4 mile light rail train wreck.
08/11/10 @ 05:04
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Above, Greenmun proves the point that the moribund VBTA is so befuddled by the fact that we have the lowest tax rate in the region, and that is has decreased from $1.22 to $0.89, that he must make up a new set of facts, saying it "should be" $0.52.
Folks, this is the VBTA; fighting to make your tax rate higher by opposing quality growth and development. The hypocrisy of the VBTA is astounding, telling us that they work for taxpayers when in fact they do the exact opposite.
Further, Greenmun, the Chairman of No transportation for the VBTA, is apparently not authorized to speak for the VBTA on No transportation. So who does speak for the moribund and out of touch VBTA?
Fact is, light rail will simply provide an alternative form of mobility in the most congested corridor in this region. Use it if you wish, stay in your car if you must. It's your choice.
Folks, this is the VBTA; fighting to make your tax rate higher by opposing quality growth and development. The hypocrisy of the VBTA is astounding, telling us that they work for taxpayers when in fact they do the exact opposite.
Further, Greenmun, the Chairman of No transportation for the VBTA, is apparently not authorized to speak for the VBTA on No transportation. So who does speak for the moribund and out of touch VBTA?
Fact is, light rail will simply provide an alternative form of mobility in the most congested corridor in this region. Use it if you wish, stay in your car if you must. It's your choice.
08/11/10 @ 08:43
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Just to real clear, let's look at some past VBTA prognostications to see how wrong they have been:
convention center - lower tax rate
Town Center - lower tax rate
Sandbridge TIF - lower tax rate
Lynnhaven TIF - lower tax rate
31st Street project - lower tax rate
Fact is, they have been wrong every time; fact is, commercial projects have increased the tax base and lowered the tax rate.
If the words of Robert Dean are the best you can do, better get a new spokesman.
convention center - lower tax rate
Town Center - lower tax rate
Sandbridge TIF - lower tax rate
Lynnhaven TIF - lower tax rate
31st Street project - lower tax rate
Fact is, they have been wrong every time; fact is, commercial projects have increased the tax base and lowered the tax rate.
If the words of Robert Dean are the best you can do, better get a new spokesman.
08/11/10 @ 11:15
Comment from: alsaf [Visitor]
Henry, it is all too true that our roads are congested and strategic lane expansion would be a desirable remedial action to help mitigate the deleterious effects of congestion, which of course includes issues of negative air quality. LTR is not the solution in VB, particularly, in a geographic area that is well off the beaten track of a major transportation corridor of Interstate 95. Having said that, the City of VB also retains 400,000+ vehicles including 340,400 registered vehicles and about 60,000 government vehicles. Therein lies the problem, LTR in the selected TC corridor will not reduce congestion to the extent that even a marginal amount of vehicles will be removed from the current stock of 400.000+ vehicles
The populations reliance on auto's in VB is generally amplified by the proximity of housing and businesses located within a geographic area of some 300 sq miles. A households reliance on its auto is increasingly attributable to the fact that VB is a sprawling bedroom community. This is also supported by the fact that we continue to retain an 85/15 average real estate tax base since 2000 which included a similar tax base spread in previous years. Congestion relief was in fact the primary criteria that initially supported congressional legislation for the launch of the FTA.
If VB retained a narrow high density corridor that housed most of its population it would probably change the landscape to facilitate a practical need for LTR. However, there is no restriction to test BRT which requires much less funding and can instill the same business investment within the surrounding area as long as it occurs privately. Very much the way it occurs in many areas of the nation. Every homeowner builds his home with a garage and clearly many developers in VB have built hotels, office, or industrial buildings that included their own garage and in fact included every structural component necessary within each building infrastructure. This City needs to change the current inequitable policies that have promoted massive tax subsidies for projects that benefit to special interest over the monumental needs of the residential & small business community. Economic development can occur by putting more disposable income in the pockets of struggling households who also support 140,000 homes that constantly need expensive component upgrades especially homes that average 25 years.
The populations reliance on auto's in VB is generally amplified by the proximity of housing and businesses located within a geographic area of some 300 sq miles. A households reliance on its auto is increasingly attributable to the fact that VB is a sprawling bedroom community. This is also supported by the fact that we continue to retain an 85/15 average real estate tax base since 2000 which included a similar tax base spread in previous years. Congestion relief was in fact the primary criteria that initially supported congressional legislation for the launch of the FTA.
If VB retained a narrow high density corridor that housed most of its population it would probably change the landscape to facilitate a practical need for LTR. However, there is no restriction to test BRT which requires much less funding and can instill the same business investment within the surrounding area as long as it occurs privately. Very much the way it occurs in many areas of the nation. Every homeowner builds his home with a garage and clearly many developers in VB have built hotels, office, or industrial buildings that included their own garage and in fact included every structural component necessary within each building infrastructure. This City needs to change the current inequitable policies that have promoted massive tax subsidies for projects that benefit to special interest over the monumental needs of the residential & small business community. Economic development can occur by putting more disposable income in the pockets of struggling households who also support 140,000 homes that constantly need expensive component upgrades especially homes that average 25 years.
08/11/10 @ 14:00
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Al,
The fatal flaw in your arguments (like Reid's previously) is that you base your assumptions on the 2010 status quo. That won't be the case in outlying years. Think forward, don't look backward.
The fatal flaw in your arguments (like Reid's previously) is that you base your assumptions on the 2010 status quo. That won't be the case in outlying years. Think forward, don't look backward.
08/11/10 @ 15:56
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Know what is SO wrong with Reid's argument on the Property Tax rate? If a 52 cent rate was anywhere near a rational position, the quartet of regression (Moss, DeSteph, Erb, and Hedrick) would be running for City Council on a platform advoacting a 37 cent rate cut.
None of them are. That tells you how far out-of-touch with reality that Greenmun is.
None of them are. That tells you how far out-of-touch with reality that Greenmun is.
08/11/10 @ 16:00
Comment from: al Saferstein [Visitor]
Henry, I try to never personalize a blog & I will not start now. Making innuendo's however is not the best way to respond if your going to debate an issue that require details.
First of all it was not an assumption that we have 400,000 vehicles in VB of which 340,400 are registered with the Commissioner of Revenue.
What specifically was a fatal flaw? The City has 400,000 vehicles that create congestion. What pct will need to be displaced as a result of LTR within the Town Center corridor to consider the project successful for achieving congestion relief?
First of all it was not an assumption that we have 400,000 vehicles in VB of which 340,400 are registered with the Commissioner of Revenue.
What specifically was a fatal flaw? The City has 400,000 vehicles that create congestion. What pct will need to be displaced as a result of LTR within the Town Center corridor to consider the project successful for achieving congestion relief?
08/11/10 @ 19:35
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
Mike, I didn't "make up" the 52 cents per $100 of assessed value as what our current tax R-A-T-E would be had City Council not voted to raise the automatically lowered tax R-A-T-E to offset massive INCREASES IN REAL ESTATE TAXES PAID BY BEACG FAMILIES due to skyrocketing assessments. The City staff provided that number (52 cents) in response to a question I asked them during their so-called "Town Hall" meetings on last year's budget.
08/12/10 @ 05:02
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
Al,
It's not today's settlement patterns that you plan on, but tomorrow's.
It's not today's settlement patterns that you plan on, but tomorrow's.
08/12/10 @ 07:03
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Reid, no wonder you have been muzzled as the spokesman for transportation by the leadership of the VBTA; your comments are so absurd as to defy rational explanation. Assessments went up because buyers paid too much for homes. Blame us, not the assessor. You are always looking for a scapegoat yet never taking responsibility yourself. Fact is, we have the lowest tax rate in the region because of targeted public investment that has stimulated high value commercial development, and all your attempts to make up a new set of facts to change that reality is patently ridiculous.
08/12/10 @ 09:39
Comment from: alsaf [Visitor]
Mike, looks like a relatively new blogger named French, but obviously very astute, has your number. Incidentally, most folks know there are two sides to a ledger. Generally their are expenses associated with any project. Both you and the City Mgr share some common sound bites. Expenses never exist when you disclose any purported income. Surely your aware of a line item like cost of goods & little things like long term debt which is about $1.650 billion for our City. Than there is the annual debt service payments that has soared from about $74 million since 2000 to about $164 million today. Fact is we have the highest tax burden in the region. Our tax rate was incrementally reduced by 27% while our tax burden increased by over 100% since 2000. Looks like I exceeded the text so will have to pick up on another blog.
08/12/10 @ 20:34
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Al, once again, you are a stitch. You are the one advocating for a program of renovation and revitalization of our residential neighborhoods. Do you think that could be executed without debt?
Of course it can't. Borrowing for capital investment is the most fair and equitable manner of making public improvements so those who use the improvements pay for them.
The fact that the lenders who issue bonds rely on our triple A credit rating, the best a City can receive, is proof that once again, you and the moribund VBTA must make up a new reality in order to scare and intimidate our citizens. But scare tactics just don't work the more the citizens become informed.
Of course it can't. Borrowing for capital investment is the most fair and equitable manner of making public improvements so those who use the improvements pay for them.
The fact that the lenders who issue bonds rely on our triple A credit rating, the best a City can receive, is proof that once again, you and the moribund VBTA must make up a new reality in order to scare and intimidate our citizens. But scare tactics just don't work the more the citizens become informed.
08/13/10 @ 08:31
Comment from: aAlsaf [Visitor]
Wow your amazing. You increase your spin each time you embark on a new story line. Look how incoherent your ref is to our AAA rating. What is the bond rating for VBDA (AA) & what would it be w/o the City guarantee of paying down their annual debt? Mike, your making McCarthyism rhetoric sound like pablum. The debt issue is exactly VBTA's point. Despite the fact that residents support 85 cents out of every $1.00 borrowed, very little of our debt is appropriated to revitalize any of our 987 aging neighborhoods. Residential assets are responsible for 85% of the debt ceiling yet the ROI is less than anemic. Not only that, but $50 to $100 million are removed annually from the General fund to subsidize special interest. Please explain why we siphoned off 565 pristine properties off the tax rolls given that the expanded TIF district does not support a" but for" threshold. You do know that expanding a 33 acre TIF to absorb taxable & viable properties within a self sufficient boundary of 317 acres is considered an arbitrary and capricious abuse in all states? Who is paying for schools, police and fire in that district? If your genuinely interested in building value in this City we have to restore the residential community. Commercial will meet the needs of the residents as traditional within the open marketplace.
08/13/10 @ 11:23
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Al, I am starting to actually feel sorry for you. Your posts are incoherent and simply prove the point that the VBTA so hates good news from objective sources, that it must make up its own bad news.
Well Al, let me tell you, it is not working. Stop embarrassing yourself.
I used to think you were simply misguided; now I am not so sure.
If you continue to rely on the mad men of the moribund VBTA, people will think you are mad as well.
You are just as bad as the officers of the nearly defunct organization. Get out while you can.
Well Al, let me tell you, it is not working. Stop embarrassing yourself.
I used to think you were simply misguided; now I am not so sure.
If you continue to rely on the mad men of the moribund VBTA, people will think you are mad as well.
You are just as bad as the officers of the nearly defunct organization. Get out while you can.
08/13/10 @ 11:42
Comment from: alsaf [Visitor]
Mike, I noticed you could not refute or respond to any of my observations. Obviously rather than discuss the pros & cons you took a pass and relied on insults rather than deal with real issues. In the meantime our neighborhoods are in shambles despite receiving support from most of the budget
08/13/10 @ 20:20
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Regretfully Al, the posts of the members of the moribund VBTA reveal the well known problem with group think. Since none of you actually interact with normal and regular members of the community, you all spout the same jibberish which frankly, is generally so extreme that it is not worthy of comment or debate.
Ever notice that no one but VBTA zealots and their sympathizers ever make the wild accusations that you make? Ever notice that no one but you has to make up your own virtual facts to try to make the case the City is in trouble (which it is not)?
Well, everyone else has noticed, and that's why future meetings of the VBTA could be held in a broom closet.
Ever notice that no one but VBTA zealots and their sympathizers ever make the wild accusations that you make? Ever notice that no one but you has to make up your own virtual facts to try to make the case the City is in trouble (which it is not)?
Well, everyone else has noticed, and that's why future meetings of the VBTA could be held in a broom closet.
08/14/10 @ 09:22
Comment from: Henry Ryto [Visitor]
To tail off of Mike and try to bring this discussion full circle, I'll take on the VBTA then go to Light Rail Now (LRN).
Mike is essentially right about the VBTA, but sometimes for the wrong reasons. Yes, the VBTA is their own sounding board. It speaks volumes of how out-of-touch VBTAers are that they don't fathom why their Council candidates lose all the time. Residents know there are serious problems with the status quo, but won't vote for a change unless you give them a positive, constructive alternative. Bob Dyer proved in 2004 that if you give residents a choice between the status quo and a realistic and upbeat alternative, they'll vote for the latter. The VBTA's constant chorus of doom and gloom simply sickens rational residents.
As for Light Rail Now, light rail would be the end of the VBTA's crackpipe dream. A Newtown Road - Oceanfront LRT extension would permanently link our future to that of Norfolk (with Portsmouth to come). The VBTA's utter desperation on the LRT issue silently acknowledges that truth.
To the bigger picture, the business community sitting down and working with community groups scares the bejesus out of the VBTA, thus their venom at LRN. If they can work together on LRT, they can partner on other issues, too. That would also push Virginia Beach forward and help bring an end to the VBTA, an end that can't happen soon enough.
Mike is essentially right about the VBTA, but sometimes for the wrong reasons. Yes, the VBTA is their own sounding board. It speaks volumes of how out-of-touch VBTAers are that they don't fathom why their Council candidates lose all the time. Residents know there are serious problems with the status quo, but won't vote for a change unless you give them a positive, constructive alternative. Bob Dyer proved in 2004 that if you give residents a choice between the status quo and a realistic and upbeat alternative, they'll vote for the latter. The VBTA's constant chorus of doom and gloom simply sickens rational residents.
As for Light Rail Now, light rail would be the end of the VBTA's crackpipe dream. A Newtown Road - Oceanfront LRT extension would permanently link our future to that of Norfolk (with Portsmouth to come). The VBTA's utter desperation on the LRT issue silently acknowledges that truth.
To the bigger picture, the business community sitting down and working with community groups scares the bejesus out of the VBTA, thus their venom at LRN. If they can work together on LRT, they can partner on other issues, too. That would also push Virginia Beach forward and help bring an end to the VBTA, an end that can't happen soon enough.
08/14/10 @ 18:48
Comment from: Ben Krause [Visitor]
This blog is useless except to keep people busy.
Henry has never seen a government program he does not slobber over.
Keyboard Commando Mike never confronts facts with facts and will personally benefit from light rail. He has never even been to a VBTA meeting and has no idea what it is about but yet he is the blog expert re VBTA. Hey, who defeated the 2002 referendum, who engineered the last light rail referencum, etc.?
Minds will not be changed in this blog.
If only Henry and Keyboard Commando had enough courage to debate the issue. No such luck! Whimps the both.
Henry has never seen a government program he does not slobber over.
Keyboard Commando Mike never confronts facts with facts and will personally benefit from light rail. He has never even been to a VBTA meeting and has no idea what it is about but yet he is the blog expert re VBTA. Hey, who defeated the 2002 referendum, who engineered the last light rail referencum, etc.?
Minds will not be changed in this blog.
If only Henry and Keyboard Commando had enough courage to debate the issue. No such luck! Whimps the both.
08/20/10 @ 04:11
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
I noticed that Mr. Barrett doesn't actually offer any facts to refute the facts that others provide.
Is this a example of what we can expect from the business lobby's "Light Rail Now" PR campaign?
Probably.
Lucky for us that live in Virginia Beach, the majority of residents are too wise to fail to understand the utter lack of a compelling business case for spending at least $530M for 10.6 miles of low capacity light rail to connect Newtown Road to the oceanfront.
Even more good luck is that facing massive budget shortfalls Beach taxpayers will understand that adding at least another $8M a year to our local city budget to pay for the massive taxpayer subsidies to cover the operating costs of this tiny 10 mile light rail train wreck Beach voters will reject this "redistribute-the-wealth" plan that Mr. Ryto is salavating over.
What an alliance Henry & Mike make; the partnership of Freeloaders and wealthy developers looking to fleece taxpayers for their own gain.
LRN - does it really stand for "Let's Relieve Norfolk"; after all, isn't expanding Norfolk's 7.4 mile train wreck into Virginia Beach simply a plan to bail out Paul Friam and the rest of Norfolk's taxpayers who are now stuck with millions in new budget-busting annual costs to subsidize their tiny "Tide"?
Is this a example of what we can expect from the business lobby's "Light Rail Now" PR campaign?
Probably.
Lucky for us that live in Virginia Beach, the majority of residents are too wise to fail to understand the utter lack of a compelling business case for spending at least $530M for 10.6 miles of low capacity light rail to connect Newtown Road to the oceanfront.
Even more good luck is that facing massive budget shortfalls Beach taxpayers will understand that adding at least another $8M a year to our local city budget to pay for the massive taxpayer subsidies to cover the operating costs of this tiny 10 mile light rail train wreck Beach voters will reject this "redistribute-the-wealth" plan that Mr. Ryto is salavating over.
What an alliance Henry & Mike make; the partnership of Freeloaders and wealthy developers looking to fleece taxpayers for their own gain.
LRN - does it really stand for "Let's Relieve Norfolk"; after all, isn't expanding Norfolk's 7.4 mile train wreck into Virginia Beach simply a plan to bail out Paul Friam and the rest of Norfolk's taxpayers who are now stuck with millions in new budget-busting annual costs to subsidize their tiny "Tide"?
08/20/10 @ 14:37
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