Haymarket residents speak out about Kennedy deal

By Dan Roem
Source: Gainesville Times
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19 2008

More than 75 people packed the Haymarket Town Hall last Thursday night as residents, business owners and members of surrounding communities voiced their opinions about a $2.3-million commercial development offer.
And while the affair was cordial in nature, it did not come without controversy; Council Member Bob Weir recommended afterward in an open letter to Mayor Pamela Stutz that she consider resigning her office.

John Cole, who left town back in early February to go overseas for a civilian DOD job, has decided to vacate his position on Town Council as of last Thursday.

Why he had originally desired to hold onto his position from half a world away is beyond anyone's scope of reasoning. He is going to be gone until at least August, so the right thing to do is to step down. The Town Charter provides for 6 council members to meet to discuss Town business...not 5 and one overseas.

The question now becomes, does the Council fill his spot?

http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/haymarket_faces_budget_shortfall/5177/

Hmm, wonder what would have happened if Bob Weir got his way last budget season and lowered the property tax rate like he wanted. Thank goodness for the smart ones on Council like Ozzie and his wife who wouldn't let that happen.

Can't blame the town for the falling real estate market, but we can blame them for paying loans for property that sat mostly vacant for the last two years until they spent almost $100k to move the Police Dept to one of the old houses. Will they continue to foot the bill fo

Haymarket Councilman Bob Weir handed in his resignation this evening after throwing another fit during the council meeting.

For more information on his last tirade, see Sparks fly as town council debates $2.3M property deal.

On the way out of town hall, a citizen commented, "good riddance." Mr. Weir stopped suddenly and stated, "why don't you step outside and repeat that!"

See his resignation letter below.

This is a new beginning for the town! Now if only the Mayor would follow suit.....

When is the deadline for submitting a letter of intent to run for Mayor/council?

Not surprisingly, there is no information on the Town's site, yet the clerk who answered the phone confirmed it was this year 'in May sometime' but she wasn't sure of the date.

We need to get some new blood in there, but if the registration deadline passes, we'll be stuck with these bozos for another 2 years.

On December 11, 2007 There was an open forum for people who's children would be effected by the new elementary school being built. The county put on a very nice power point presentation and the allowed a open answer session where people who were effected by the change could voice questions ,comments or concerns.

Mr Weir waited in line and identified himself as Robert Wier then openly said that his child WOULD NOT be effected by any of the four changes proposed that night, yet still voiced his disapproval. The county rep stated that " he should wait tll next year."

At which point Mr Wier thn exploded , yelling at the rep and everyone else about the " problems"and DON'T JOKE WITH ME!!! He was then told to remove himself from the platform and was boo'ed and laughed at as he left.

So, the Council is thinking of accepting the offer by Mr. Kennedy for about $2.3 million for the Town Center property. This is about $700,000 less than they turned down from him less than 2 years ago. WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?

Last time, they didn't want his money, because they "were worried about how he was going to finance it". Truth be told, they were holding out for more money. His financing plan would have been fine. Just look at the corner lot of Jefferson and 55...the Red House. He bought that lot and turned it into a nice looking parcel with a successful business as a tenant - looks like his financial planning was sound enough for that project. At the least, it was better than Lewie Bloom's plans for the 2nd Bloom building. He still hasn't found a stable rack of tenants besides his own seafood store.

A little rumor around town is that "someone" who works for the town is driving around without a valid driver's license.! Do you think that the police would ticket this person!!!

I for one am tired of the way this town is being run. The people in charge are not playing by the rules. They need to answer to the residents for what they are doing.

Since they will not listen to the residents when they complain, here's another way:

Under Virginia law, a petition to remove an elected official must be signed by a number of registered voters equal to at least 10 percent of the votes cast in the election. The petition would then be filed in Circuit Court, where a judge would determine whether to remove the elected official. The judge must find evidence of "neglect of duty, misuse of office or incompetence in the performance of duties" that has a material adverse effect on the office in question.

Citizens of Haymarket,

If you recall, there was no summer concert on June 15th as advertised.

June 15th Summer Concert

The Mayor and/or Council decided to cancel the concert due to bad weather although the weather was clear that day.

You tax dollars paid for the following:

$500 - Band Fee
$650 - Equipment Fee
$350 or More - Generator (unsure exact amount due to lack of invoice and increased power needed)

Our TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!

Just remember - Always on Guard