City’s timing on lodge plan is questioned

Editor,

Thank you for responding to my recent concerns about the Mozingo Conference Center.

Not everything in the news is as black and white as appears in the media.

In addition to the Forum, this news has been covered by both TV and newspapers in St. Joseph, so more information has been published which we can consider. …

… The architectural design was approved by the council (last) Monday.

While I strongly disagree with the decision to move forward before voter approval, it is clear that the city manager and council believe that they are acting on the interest of the citizens.

The architectural contract was presented to the council as more of a “study” like several that have been done in the past prior to moving forward with a project.

The city attorney assured the council that they were within their authority to act on the design contract prior to voter approval of the project.

Mr. McDanel explained how the city would pay for the architectural contract with existing funds prior to the vote. Some of existing funds will be “temporally” redirected from other projects and repaid to those other projects pending voter approval of the conference center. Mr. McDanel also stated we need the conceptual drawings in order to inform the voters on what is being proposed in a effort to gain their approval in passing the new sales tax based funding for the project.

There are several reasons why I disagree with the project.

In addition to a one-eighth-cent sales tax to fund the center, we will be asked to renew the half-cent sales tax which is half of the existing Mozingo operating budget. It is unclear what happens if the tax issues before the voters in April are not approved.

It is not known if the conference center will generate a return of the investment as would have to happen if being built with private funds.

The city will have to market the facility in a effort to attract the needed business to justify the investment.

More golf and fishing tournaments are suggested as well a general business conference needs.

If there in an adequate return on investment, perhaps the hotel developer would want to own and operated the conference center.

It is unclear how much involvement and input the Mozingo Advisory Committee has had in the development of the “Master Plan,” but I assume that they are active. There simply hasn’t been much news about the committee’s activity and input.

One of the reasons given for demolishing the existing club house is that the club house staff cannot see both courses and starting tees … to manage tee times for all of the expected increase in golf course usage by the opening of the Watson 9 hole course. Other courses have an onsite starter/marshal which would be an option for Mozingo. Also, video technology could be used to monitor starting activity.

It was also expressed that if the conference center issue fails to pass, the hotel developer may want to reconsider their commitment.

I would like to encourage the voters to pay attention and inform themselves about the issues prior to casting their votes in April.

Doug Stickley

Maryville citizen and tax payer