The Queen City Has Lost Her Soul
By John Galles
           
According to Jim Puckett, "The Queen City has lost her soul." In his speech to Charlotte Rotarians, Mr. Puckett expressed his position supporting repeal of the half-cent sales tax dedicated to the light rail system currently under development. Having grown up in Mecklenburg County and graduating from UNC Charlotte, Mr. Puckett built his own business and has served on the Charlotte Mecklenburg School Board as well as the County Commission. He attends Hopewell Presbyterian Church and is the head of "SCAT", Sensible Charlotte Area Transportation organization formed to repeal the half-cent sales tax.
 
He summarized his opposition to the sales tax and in favor of repeal commenting that he had been on the CMS School Board at the time of the 1998 vote that instituted the half-cent sales tax. He said that at that time it was sold as a $1.1 billion project, that it would ease traffic congestion and pollution and that 50% of the costs would be paid by the federal government. He also stated that proponents promised no additional taxes were needed to fund this light rail system. Since that time, however, the transit project has ballooned to $8.8 billion and now we are told that it will not ease congestion or pollution and that there is no federal money available to fund future legs of the light rail system.
 
He admitted that the South line is built and that it will continue and operate as planned. He believes that the proposed North line running to Huntersville and Cornelius needs to be repealed on the grounds that the rail line will only serve 2% of the population along that extension. With expected growth of 55,000 people to that area in the next ten years, that means the rail line will only serve 600 to 1200 of those individuals.
 
Mr. Puckett went on to describe that his biggest concern is with future financing. He was quick to acknowledge that state funding participation is highly questionable and that Tax Increment Financing is too speculative. He also said that these population projections are also subject to questions.
 
He quoted Wachovia Bank's economist, John Silvia, who said that congestion is the largest economic challenge in this region and that the transit plan does nothing to alleviate that challenge.
 
Furthermore, Mr. Puckett said that the sales tax is an unreliable funding mechanism that can be repealed at any time, leaving the public with a debt requirement and not funding source.
 
Mr. Puckett says that the public has lost their trust in government. He stated that even though the public voted down funding for the arena and numerous other projects, the city decided to build them anyway. Now six years later, they are either built or under construction. He does not think that the facts have been presented fairly. He wants to demand decency from elected officials and city staff. He was disgusted with UNC Charlotte's study of the transit tax and the system. He thinks the city manager has spoken out inappropriately stating that police and fire departments will be damaged by the repeal of the half-cent tax.
 
He summarized that $8 to $10 billion is simply too much to spend to serve 2% of the commuting public. He would rather that money be spent on roads and highways serving a greater number and percentage of people.
       
Head Table: Mary Ciminelli, Al Allison, David Zimmerman, Smith Foushee, Debbie Daniel;
Invocation: Carol Hughes;
Visitors & Guests: Mark Norman; Health & Happiness: Herb Harriss; Song: Gregg Walker; Piano: Thomas Moore

• Congratulations to George and Sara Page who are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary on October 31st; Dot Majors fell in the apartment on Tuesday and is in observation at Presbyterian Hospital. Powell was on his way to visit with her Tuesday afternoon and said she had cut her head near the eye and was thankful she did not have to have surgery; Trent and Mindy Merchant welcomed baby Bailey into the world on October 12th. Baby and parents are doing well; Tom Storrs, Honorary member of Charlotte Rotary, was inducted into the N.C. Banking Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Pinehurst Hotel.
        
• The Rotary Scholarship Golf Classic was a tremendous success. Committee chair Alan Adler thanked club members and everyone involved in organizing the October 3rd event. The Fire Department's team won the Interdepartmental Trophy AND the overall tournament. Fire Chief Luther Fincher proudly accepted the trophy on their behalf. Alan also reported net proceeds were approximately $63,000 and there was a 100% increase in auction items. Next year's tournament will be held at Cedarwood Country Club on October 7, 2008.
  
• HOST DINNERS are going quite well. Check the website here to review the schedule or sign up.
 
• Rotary Foundation Banquet will be November 8 at the Sheraton Airport Hotel.
See Sandy to purchase your tickets: $36
 
• EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD will be presented November 27, 2007. Guidelines for the nomination process are posted here.  Nominations are to be received by November 5th. Questions may be directed to Phil Van Hoy or Sandy Osborne.