Comments on: August sales tax revenue drops $294,060

By: Bruce Hess

Bruce Hess — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:39:44 +0000

Here are the facts about Fred Meyer. Their representatives present during the issuance of their CUP indicated they had no problems with the large retail standards put in place by this community or the conditions of their permit. They, in fact, have had to meet much more stringent standards in other communities they have located. If you don’t want to believe it was a economic decision that kept Fred Myer from locating in Homer ask them yourself. It was widely reported when they decided to pull the plug on their development . As far as Homer being non business friendly, if your talking about the zoning permit process in Homer, it is a much easier and shorter process to go through than the majority of communities throughout the country.

By: Jason

Jason — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 12:53:53 +0000

I do believe that the revenue overall is down and that the city is feeling the effect of the tax changes, but that is only part of why they are feeling the pinch, looking for money and cutting services. It appears that the current crunch is due in large part to the Homer Fire Department. This year alone the Homer Fire Department is likely to lose the city over one and a half million dollars. and that is why these last minute cuts are so drastic and deep.

I have no doubt that had the city management and the Homer Fire Department made more of an effort the borough would not have pulled that two hundred and thirty thousand dollar annual fire and EMS service contract. In most years that lost revenue really wouldn’t make no never mind but it comes in conjunction with a one point three million dollar suit by a terminated employee. Sadly most indications are that the Fire Chief didn’t have things documented or done properly. The former employee will probably win and that money will come directly out of the city budget witch is why so many programs are expected to be cut down or eliminated.

There have been indications for years that their are problems within the Homer Fire Department and yet the city manager has seemingly not taken corrective action. It’s well past time for a change, just hope that the city chooses to do it before it costs another 1.3 million dollars.

By: Recovering Homeroid

Recovering Homeroid — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:55:49 +0000

Remember a few years prior to that when the tree clearing ordinance was proposed.

The native corp read the bill, figured out they wouldn’t be able to clear their land so they got in with the chain saws before the debate ended and got their trees harvested.

Everybody who crunchs granola got really upset, but it serves them right!

By: Deb

Deb — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 03:43:27 +0000

Yes and dont forget the foliage study to see how many drips of rain on a leaf fell to the ground …. the city of Homer made sure Fred Meyers could not afford to build here… it was not because Fred Meyers didnt think the city would ne nig enouhg to make them money.. that is more LIES from the clique who runs the city and sadly Bruce was one of them… Fred Meyers was not allowed to be in Homer by the CITY COUNCIL and there is no denying that…remember that famous quote that the voters just didnt understand what they were voting for… the city council knew better than the ignorant voters…

I do not believe anything this city has to say about numbers… they told us a year ago the coffers were FULL…build the tajmahal… and now its kick the kids out on the street… no police, no fire department and no snow plowing… FEAR tactics… and now they want to stop us from having Natural GAS because they are not getting their way… if ANchor Point gets natural gas the next step is Homer… QUIT BEING BABIES and start thinking… and if you cant think resign and let someone else in there…

By: TV

TV — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:25:58 +0000

And don’t forget about the 86 pages of ordinance details every aspect of retail development, from roof slope, exterior wall design, signage, landscaping, parking and traffic flow. No wonder the “numbers just didn’t pencil out”!

By: TV

TV — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:22:53 +0000

clarification: the 45,000sf would be the space designated for retail, within a larger building

By: TV

TV — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:18:36 +0000

Exactly my point, Bruce. Here, Freddies, jump through this hoop, leap over this ridiculous obstacle. City of Homer is not user-friendly to business coming into the community. They legislated Fred Meyer out of existence! Fred Meyers original plan was to open a 95,000 sf store, so the city promptly put a smaller cap on the size of stores to be 66,000sf, with only 35,000sf of retail space within those 66,000sf..The City knew full well that the smallest store that Fred Meyer would build would need to have 45,000sf, minimum, to be cost effective.

By: Bruce Hess

Bruce Hess — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 16:19:28 +0000

Fred Meyer was issued a conditional use permit. They dropped their plans to build in Homer because, after reassessing the economics of locating in Homer the numbers just didn’t pencil out.

By: TV

TV — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 03:47:18 +0000

Well, it’s a real shame that the city council refuses listen to its constituents. Not too long ago a vote was put to the citizens of Homer in regards to box stores, namely, Fred Meyer. The people voted overwhelmingly in favor of allowing the large chain to be built here in Homer. The city council thought maybe we just didn’t understand on what we were voting. So Fred Meyer eventually drops it’s plans to build here because the city council seems to have a mentality of “us 4, no more!” and is not pro-development.
The economy is hurting. People are really watching their spending and having to cut back. A trip to Soldotna or Anchorage for groceries can really mean big savings for a family. It is ironic that had the city council listened to the people in the first place, most folks would stay here in Homer to spend their grocery money at Freddies, and the city would get to collect the tax revenue. So, quit crying in your beer, city government, start cutting back like the rest of us, and spare us the whining.

By: Deb

Deb — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:52:27 +0000

I dont believe their numbers… I dont believe anything they say… August was full of people in this town..the city is lying orcant not count…