Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Denver Gallentine on March 12, 2012 at 4:56am

Larry - I agree! If there isn't a planning board, then county commissoners should be "on-top-of" this situation. Free land, reduction in tax rates, etc. could be used to entice companies to come to Carroll County. The trade-offs would be huge. Yes, some negatives such as wear/tear on roads, but could be made up by selling water to them as Dover is doing and the extra tax base would more than make up for it. Maybe Co. Com. or township rep shoud be contacted. - Denver

Permalink Reply by Mike h on March 12, 2012 at 5:01am

Larry and Denver,

Have you guys been looking out the window as you drive up 43 or in the square in Carrollton? There are a number of O&G related companies that have opened up shop in Carroll. Rexx Energy opened an office by the Courthouse and there are two supply companies (one is equipment rentals and the other is a service company) that have opened up shop just North of town on 43.

 

As far as taxes, Leroy Van Horne wrote a column in the Free Press Standard not too long ago about how mineral rights severed from surface rights will (have always been) be assessed and taxed seperate from surface rights.

 

Just a few thoughts.

 

Mike

Permalink Reply by Larry on March 12, 2012 at 5:32am

Still missing the point where is tax revenue from mom and pop shops on 43 local employment source . We need a committee to sell and build our coblmmunity. Van hornes article covered an old law nothing for growth. Where is the plan for the future i sure hope it is not a supply town because at the rate we are going thats what we are becoming. And you forgot the taco bar to feed some of the riggers again where is the plan gor the big picture

Permalink Reply by Mike h on March 12, 2012 at 6:49am

I'm sure Tom Wheaton has some thoughts but I don't know what they are. Not sure about Doyle Hawk or Jeff Ohler. To be honest, I think they have had their hands full with taking over Atwood Lake Resort and now that they have it they need to make a deal with a management company.

I'm not sure about how good a plan it is to focus on using the resort as housing for O&G workers. Will this create enough revenues to cover needed improvements, repairs and maintenance? Only time will tell. What happens when drilling slows down? Will folks want to vacation at a place with a bunch of roughnecks? I'm guessing probably not.

Why do we need a committee to sell and build our community Larry? What have you done with your signing bonus? I've been looking around at local business/investment opportunities but haven't decided on a course of action. Your call for a committee makes me think of when I was on the committee looking to get broadband internet in Carroll. I said let's get a bunch of people to kick in some money and form a co-op. Everyone looked at me like I was nuts and said "We don't want to have to do something like that, we just want to figure out how to get someone else to come in and do it". Outside of the same places (Carrollton, Malvern, etc) that had broadband 10 years ago the rest of the county is still pretty much SOL. As far as I'm concerned, people need to put their money where their mouth is rather than calling for committees and others to do things.

 

Permalink Reply by Mike h on March 13, 2012 at 4:12am

I was slow in reading the FPS.... guess Doyles opinions are less relevent going forward.

Permalink Reply by Denver Gallentine on March 13, 2012 at 6:14am

Mike & PK - I really think what you are saying is exactly what Larry said (& I agreed w/) in the initial posting.  Carroll Co. is @ the beginning of a boom.  Those of us w/ land need to remember that the vast majority in the Co. are not benefiting from this. I suggested the Commisioners only as a brainstorming idea (not sug. they have nothing to do).  Let's be honest, they have more influence w/ companies than a retired school teacher (me). I too am more concerned w/ the coal issue. Mike, you are right we can't leave it to someone else, but they can help. I know you were a little upset w/ initial ideas, but I think we are all thinking same way. Hope we are still friends. - Denver

Permalink Reply by PK on March 13, 2012 at 2:50am

I think what Larry might be getting at and one of my concerns is how is our community planning to manage the expansion. Example, are we going to let service companies open offices in residential areas because the county is not zoned? What kind of an eyesore will that become and will it hinder the residential growth of our community?

The broadband commission failed for a number of reasons; too many hands in the cookie jar, everyone seemed to have their own agenda and the presentation of unsupportable solutions.

Permalink Reply by Mike h on March 13, 2012 at 4:17am

I know Tom Wheaton is a fan of zoning. Personally I prefer deed restrictions... but that's just me. I find it ironic that we are talking about eyesores in a county that is going through an O&G boom. I'm actually less concerned about O&G issues and more concerned about Rosebud Mining... that is going to kill our county.

Permalink Reply by PK on March 13, 2012 at 5:23am

Mike,
I am totally in agreement with you! The coal vein is 400 feet down as opposed to 8000, you'd think that would be a greater risk to our water since the coal is closer to the water tables (to say nothing of what the operation looks like on the surface).

Whether zoning or restrictions we need some sort of organization of our growth.