Happy MLK day. My words will do nothing to add to the man's impact and legacy, so I won't even try. Too many people will be heaping tons of rehashed praise on a life cut short in the service of others on this day, and I shan't contribute. Suffice it to say, we could use a few people willing to stand up for the right thing against the overwhelming tide of public sentiment.
I ran into some old timers working on a house down the street when I took Owen for a walk this morning. They were putting the finishing touches on a refurbished house that somebody is flipping. The comment was made that maybe "Mexicans" would buy the house. First, most of our spanish-speaking immigrants in this area are Honduran or El Salvadoran, but to the unwashed masses anyone from south of the US of A is a mexican. The real crux of the matter though, was that these guys couldn't fathom why anyone would want to move here. It is pitiful how people who are from here can't see the beauty in this area. these guys went on to complain that property taxes were getting to be so high, they wouldn't be able to afford to live here.
Now I am by no means a big fan of developers, gated communities or anything else that let's the wealthy divvy the world up a little finer amongst themselves, but this guy was complaining about the property taxes on his 18 acres outside of Blowing Rock on which he has a mobile home. Now, let's get a little perspective: an acre outside of Blowing Rock sells for around $220,000. Multiply that times 18 and you're sitting on $3,960,000. For that kind of cabbage, I'd throw the trailer in for free. My concerns are several when it comes to the present growth and development in our area:
1) Development should be controlled. You can't just throw open the flood gates and hope that the conscientious developers maintain the natural integrity of the area. Given the chance, people will love any place TO DEATH!
2) Our area should not lose the affordability for the people who already live here. Coming from out west, we've seen places become too expensive for all but the second (or third) homebuyers.
Other than that, an influx of outsiders could prove to be a boon in both monetary and intellectual capitol for this area. Things have to change here, or the place won't survive.
Got this and I thought I should share it:
To: Shawn
From: The Brewmeister
Shawn, let anyone know about "Tuesday Nites Under the Lights" at the speedway-hereafter known as the "chicken bone velodrome" See Hickory Velo Club for details.
Hope you are feeling better. Your post from a couple days ago sounds like you need some real springtime and sun. True ruminations on these modern times, but remember, the more things change, the more they stay the same - I can't spell it in french.
Mark(?) and I have been carrying the 'cross addiction on. I am already dreading the seasons end.....but looking forward to next fall.
keep it turning
HH
Nothing like racing on speedways. It's super fun and you can see everything. I've gotta admit, I'm already makin' plans for next 'cross season... Yep, it's gonna be a different story next season... Yeah, right.
I apologize if I've been a downer lately. The sinus congestion always makes me a bit difficult. Golden says it always puts me in a bad mood. Well, I'm on the backside of the cold; I've got a four day work week (Tues: guest speaker, read "no teaching", Wed and Thurs: benchmark testing, read "very little teaching", and Fri: Cumulative Semester Science Exam, read "Mr. Moore is EVIL!") and another 3 day weekend on the horizon. Things are looking pretty good from where I'm sittin', pretty good indeed.
2 comments:
but to the unwashed masses anyone from south of the US of A is a mexican. The real crux of the matter though, was that these guys couldn't fathom why anyone would want to move here. It is pitiful how people who are from here can't see the beauty in this area. these guys went on to complain that property taxes were getting to be so high, they wouldn't be able to afford to live here.
No, not all Hispanics are from Mexico; however, most of our immigrants do share an incredible work ethic,an impressive love of family, and the ability to enjoy life in the face of extreme poverty.
It is true the many locals can't see the beauty of the area, but every day I am meeting more and more retired folks who have recently moved to Lenoir and they are overjoyed to have finally found such a beautiful place.
Unfortunately, tax increases are inevitable. While your friend has 18 acres there will be those former furniture workers that will struggle to pay the taxes on there 2-3 acres lots. Hopefully, some of the money coming into will help schools, including the community college, so that the local people will benefit as well.
Don't take my comments the wrong way. I have the utmost respect for the immigrant work force that has come to our area. I agree with you on all of the traits that you mentioned. The guys that I ran into used the term "mexican" in a subtley derogatory way.
As to retirees, the gentlemen I talked to couldn't fathom why anyone would want to move here. They said that Lenoir is trying to lure retirees here, but they didn't think it was going to work. I know for a fact that retirees are moving here in droves and it's just the beginning.
I don't want people to lose the ability to live where they have always lived, but people must also change with the times. If you were a buggy whip maker at the turn of the 20th century, you could decry the automobile all you wanted, but it didn't change the fact that you better start retraining for a new career. Same thing here: don't moan and complain about the loss of manufacturing jobs, take advantage of the incentives to go back to school and retrain for a better career.
As for more money coming into the schools, that is a tough one. Caldwell County schools are ranked 104th out of 106 school systems in per pupil funding, yet rank in the top 25% in student performance. I feel that our property taxes are pretty low to begin with, so an increase would just bring them to where they need to be.
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