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Speed Zone Job Gains Questioned
(posted August 22)
During the August 18 Speedway Redevelopment Commission's public comment
session, Jo Ellen Dotlich questioned the commission on the number of jobs
that will be created by the Speed Zone redevelopment. Dotlich was concerned
that the number of jobs created would be too low to justify the bonding
debt.
Commissioner Bill Jones reminded her that it was a public comment and not
a question and answer session. He advised her not to spend her three minute
time limit at the podium waiting for an answer in order to give someone
else a chance to talk.
"I will do that but without an answer then the citizens of Speedway
have to make an assumption on why they are not answering this very simple
question. Most redevelopments bring in jobs and all am I asking is how
many jobs this redevelopment is bringing," she replied.
Bishop said it would be "ridiculous" to do the redevelopment
if it was not going to create jobs, but he could not give her any specific
data.
"How can we know for certain how many jobs we are going to create?"
asked Bishop. Bishop said "100, there you go.150, 200, 300" to
end the standoff.
Carol Gaddis urged the redevelopment as a preventative measure so Speedway
does not become like the area around Michigan Street and Holmes. She said
there is an average of two foreclosures per month in Speedway.
During new business items, Jones explained there was a mistake that placed
Helen Kellam's property in the name of the Town of Speedway.
"I am guessing that it (the assessor's office) is where it started,"
Kellam said. "I received tax bills in the name of the Town of Speedway.
Someone had to have changed the records. It did not happen by itself."
She said the situation was scary and stressful. Kellam owns Tolen's Flower
Shop and the Educational Center on Main Street. She sold 1552-1556 Main
to the commission in April 2007.
President Vince Noblet said they would send a letter to the Wayne Township
Assessor's Office to get clarification on the problem.
Wayne Township Michael McCormack told the Navigator the error did occur
in his office because of confusion when combining parcels for the sale
to the SRC and combining parcels for 1534 and 1538 Main Street. "The
biggest problem is there was no legal description on the deed." He
said the sales disclosure contained the legal description, but it did not
arrive until later.
The SRC approved sending out requests for proposals to select a new public
relations firm. The existing contract with Avatar Communications was terminated.
Avatar created the Georgetown Road brochure, which was heavily scrutinized
by the public for a lack accuracy.
Susan Luebbert of the Speedway Promoters Club invited the commission to
be in the Speedway Parade and Fall Festival on September 19 and 20. The
promoters club and the American Legion 500 Post are organizing the event.
A special needs non-competitive walking event is scheduled for September
19 at the Legion from 4 pm to 6 pm. The event is free. The Legion will
be serving a $7.00 spaghetti dinner from 5 pm to 7 pm. The Main Street
parade starts at 2 pm on September 20th.
SRC non-voting member Dr. Terry Reed did not attend. HEA 1001 required
that a school board member be appointed to serve on the redevelopment commission
in a non-voting capacity.
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