An item is on the county commissioners' agenda to pay $86,500 an acre for up to 125 acres for the new airport high school. This is on land zoned "industrial" out toward Kernersville. School bond monies would be used, of course, for land acquisition costs.
The owners of the land in question include frequent campaign contributors.
It somehow seems unlikely this will fly. But I wonder if it reflects crony capitalism; or if it merely reflects an inept school board narrowing its options when it insists upon spending bond monies unnecessarily for excessively large, new complexes.
"Previously, the state made direct payments to eligible households to reimburse them for energy costs. **This year, the County must make the payment directly to the utility company.** The Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) is a federally-funded program that provides financial assistance to help eligible households pay their heating bills."
I know that this isn't the agenda item that you were linking to, but **this** is SUCH a GOOD idea! I've no idea why it hasn't been done before now. This program helps keep needy people warm! The change makes for a much wiser use of taxpayer dollars!!
Posted by: Micheleforrest | November 28, 2011 at 09:48 PM
"Brian Hall, real estate preconstruction manager for Samet Corp., one of the three principals in TDO Land Holding.
That company's principals are Arthur Samet of Samet Corp. of Greensboro, David Griffin of D.H. Griffin Construction in Greensboro and Grover Shugart Jr. of Shugart Enterprises of Winston-Salem, who are all contractors."
"the biggest question is not whether or not the land is a good site for a school, but whether Samet Corp. and the other TDO Land Holding partners and Kernersville will be able to attract a higher-value business to the site."
http://greensboro.rhinotimes.com/Articles-c-2011-09-08-209475.112113-Schools-Pitch-To-Kernersville-Falls-Flat.html
Posted by: Abnersinquisition.blogspot.com | November 28, 2011 at 09:52 PM
Business As Usual is thriving in Our Fair City and County, isn't it?
Posted by: bubba | November 29, 2011 at 08:49 AM
Seems far too expensive a land purchase to make any sense. I havent checked and wont but I'd bet all those owners have contributed to many, many pols in both counties and in both parties.
I guess it boils down to I dont think there are shenanigans afoot due to ownership but I cannot imagine there isnt a better land deal available somewhere. I have also struggled with the idea of the airport school for some time as not many people really live out in Colfax area. Seems all kids will have to travel some distance. Just doesnt make sense but I havent really studied the issue that much.
Posted by: Mick | November 29, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Crony capitalism at the local level! Who would a thunk it?
Posted by: Billy Jones | November 29, 2011 at 02:43 PM
$11 million just for the land? This school is going to cost in the area of $80 million to build to educate about 1,500 students. Public education is getting beyond affordability. It is time for some forward thinking on how we educate high school students. We can utilize technology to educate at a much lower cost. We are stuck in 20th Century mindset in public education. We are investing billions of dollars in brick and mortar. Education is pretty much the same as it was 50-100 years ago. It's still about the adults, not the children. And, after it all, many of them are still illiterate.
Posted by: Techster64 | November 29, 2011 at 06:29 PM
"And, after it all, many of them are still illiterate."
The Crony Cabal likes it that way.
Posted by: bubba | November 29, 2011 at 08:23 PM