Blogger's Note: Opinions Online is a weekly feature that gives readers the opportunity to weigh in on any topic. In this week's column, former NorCo Exec John Stoffa explains why he advocated the purchase of the Milides building. I am honored that John decided to speak out.
There has been some criticism recently on this blog regarding the purchase of the Gus Melitus building for 1.5 million. A major goal in this purchase was to gain parking spaces. Let me ask you a question...Do you think the Court House will be in Easton 100 years from now? After all, the county seat has been in Easton for 266 years now so the chances appear pretty good. The County acquired not only a building but 60 desirable parking spaces. Just look at the 60 parking spaces. Over 100 years and assuming 260 working days per year, the cost is $15,000 per year for the lot ($1,500,000 divided by 100 years); $57.69 per day for the lot ($1,500,000 divided by 100 years divided by 260 working days per year); $0.96 per parking spot per day per year for the lot ($1,500,000 divided by 100 years divided by 260 working days per year divided by 60 parking spots). The costs go down if you factor in weekends and holidays. They go down even more if the Courthouse lasts more than 100 years.
Addendum: To give you some perspective, I'd recommend that you review the minutes of the 3/15/07 meeting at which NorCo Council agreed to this purchase. The vote was 6-2 in favor, with Ron Angle and Ann McHale opposed. The arguments against the purchase were that it is situated on a cliff and other properties are cheaper. The arguments in support of the purchase were that it provided a place for the Archives Department and added badly needed parking very close to the courthouse. The six Yes votes were John Cusick, Mike Dowd, Charles Dertinger, Diane Neiper, Wayne Grube and Lamont McClure.
I believe they made the right decision. It did provide a temporary and excellent location for the elections office. It did add valuable parking. That will continue.
4 comments:
Such Bunk. Calculate into the equation the initial cost, maintenance, the demolishing of the Milides building, and the money you stuck into that building for renovation to accommodate government offices and you have a band-aid approach to resolving the parking situation at the Courthouse. When you purchased the building you didn't know it was going to become a parking lot. You also didn't know you were going to have to reconstruct the base because it is built on a landfill. The truth is the truth, it was a poor decision then and may still be a poor decision because the job isn't done. You must still demolish, rebuild the base, construct and maintain new parking spaces (including snow removal, etc. etc.) Just like you defend the building of that Human Services Building with the asinine lease you negotiated.
Spanish Socialists want to tear down the boarder wall and alloy free flow of ——see the Chinese are not stupid, Evan though that are Communist. Pay Attention.
Peter, I think this comment belongs somewhere else.
Gee Bernie, you make it sound like God gave Mosses the ten commandments again. Of course he is going to color his reply in the best light possible. anon5:55 must know the score because he/she is spot on.
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