I've been around long enough to know this group well. There are two basic reasons you oppose this bond issue.
1) This being the most important: You see the passage of this bond issue as a victory for Thames. You will in no way support anything that you think may be precieved as a victory for Thames. If it spites the University as a wholel, so be it. I understand this and don't expect anything different.
2) The Kenny Fairly Complex. If something dosen't directly benefit me, (or my pocketbook in Fairly's case) then you'll be dammed if someone gets something you don't. This is what I don't understand and never will.
I accepted long ago that the bond issue wouldn't pass. I just how that afterwards, USM alumni remember who their real friends are, and support those who support the University.
quote: Originally posted by: Seeker "I've been around long enough to know this group well. There are two basic reasons you oppose this bond issue.
1) This being the most important: You see the passage of this bond issue as a victory for Thames. You will in no way support anything that you think may be precieved as a victory for Thames. If it spites the University as a wholel, so be it. I understand this and don't expect anything different.
NOT True Seeker. Some of us do support the bond issue. We just don't like this administration.
And some people are genuinely torn. (My nom, for example, is merely a desperate ploy to win the Nom d'Aplumb award!) Whilst having a serious discussion, of course, on something that concerns us all.
As Green Hornet pointed out, not everyone here opposes the bond issue. In my own case, it's a moot point, because I don't vote in Hattiesburg. And were it to pass, I would not view it as a "victory" for Thames, although I think Giannini should get due credit if that happens. (If it doesn't pass, I don't think he should be slammed to hard, either.)
However, I think your comment about Kenny Fairley is way out of line. He has stated publicly that he doesn't oppose the bond issue because it's for USM athletics -- he's a long-time USM sports fan & supporter -- it's because he thinks the needs of the "poorer" parts of Hattiesburg should be addressed first.
If you have evidence that he's "lining his pocket" by opposing the bond issue, I think you need to present that evidence.
have you noticed it seems most vocal supporters are either not residents of hattiesburg(in this case voters) or in their "real" life they are huge supporters of other universities?
i understand community support and the concept of "regionalism", but the fact of the matter is hattieburg residents are the decision makers. when it is all over pass or fail, the question will remain did the non-residents play a major role in the results.
i am happy to see other university supporters getting involved, but it does seem a bit disingenious(sp) to support a vote that would enhance their business interest. for some reason saying you support this bond issue, but for the last 30 years the only thing for sure i could count on from some of these folks is their purchase of football season tickets to "------"
quote: Originally posted by: time and time again "have you noticed it seems most vocal supporters are either not residents of hattiesburg(in this case voters) or in their "real" life they are huge supporters of other universities? i understand community support and the concept of "regionalism", but the fact of the matter is hattieburg residents are the decision makers. when it is all over pass or fail, the question will remain did the non-residents play a major role in the results. i am happy to see other university supporters getting involved, but it does seem a bit disingenious(sp) to support a vote that would enhance their business interest. for some reason saying you support this bond issue, but for the last 30 years the only thing for sure i could count on from some of these folks is their purchase of football season tickets to "------" "
Business interests will, no doubt, vote their pocketsbooks on the bond issue - whatever their interests may be. Avid USM football fans will, no doubt, vote their interests. The typical taxpayers will, no doubt, vote their interests. Lets hope the typical taxpayers turn out in great numbers.
quote: Originally posted by: Not a Bond Girl "And some people are genuinely torn. (My nom, for example, is merely a desperate ploy to win the Nom d'Aplumb award!) Whilst having a serious discussion, of course, on something that concerns us all."
i have received a couple of recorded messages in the last few days (aubrey lucas and jeff bower) urging a yes vote on bond issue. i dont think either jeff or aubrey are residents of hattiesburg(city voters) i am glad they have an interest in the bond passage, but there seems to be a glaring absence of usm faculty/staff/adminstration, i.e. usm employees who are voters, taking a prominent position. i appreciate these folks trying to enlighten the average citizens to the benefit of the bond passage, but it seems the current president would be the logical person to lead the charge(and he is a city resident). i am not troubled by these non residents, but it does appear they want the benefits(whatever they are preceived to be) of being outside the city limits, but when there is an issue brought to public vote they want a voice.
in jeff's message he alludes to "outsiders" spreading false information concerning the actual use of the bond proceeds. i certainly dont consider coach bower an outsider, however unless he has moved into the city limits, the "outsiders" to who he refers share the same place at the ballot box with him in this particular election
quote: Originally posted by: over and over again " they want the benefits(whatever they are preceived to be) of being outside the city limits, but when there is an issue brought to public vote they want a voice."
Escaping Hattisburg's taxes but sticking ones nose into Hattiesburg's business? We call that "representation without taxation."
quote: Originally posted by: over and over again "i have received a couple of recorded messages in the last few days (aubrey lucas and jeff bower) urging a yes vote on bond issue."
If one's telep;hone number iis on the NO CALL list do they still receive such calls?
Yes. I'm on the state and federal "No Call List" and got two calls, two from Lucas and one from Bower. If I get any more, I will change my vote on the bond issue. Guess which way.
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Emma
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RE: I understand why you guys oppose this Bond....
quote: Originally posted by: call center "If one's telep;hone number iis on the NO CALL list do they still receive such calls?"
Senate Bill 2445 aka the "Mississippi Telephone Solicititation Act" restricts the no-call concept to situations where the caller makes a sales presentation with the intent to complete the sale during the call. Real estate & insurance agents, car dealerships, charitable organizations , funeral homes & investment brokers are all specifically exempted as well.
I'm sure political groups -- including both Win-Win and Enough Is Enough -- consider themselves "charitable" organizations.
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Invictus
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RE: I understand why you guys oppose this Bond....
quote: Originally posted by: Seeker "USM alumni remember who their real friends are, and support those who support the University."
USM alumni support those who support the university? Perhaps you are right, young man. Too bad the university administration didn't adopt that position in its nationally infamous and embarrasing attempt to terminate two dedicated faculty members this past Spring. Those two men were among the very strongest supporters of the university, and in more important ways than mere monetary. I'm still listening for a cry of outrage from the alumni association. Hello?
Originally posted by: over and over again "i have received a couple of recorded messages in the last few days (aubrey lucas and jeff bower) urging a yes vote on bond issue. i dont think either jeff or aubrey are residents of hattiesburg(city voters) . . . it seems the current president would be the logical person to lead the charge(and he is a city resident).
in jeff's message he alludes to "outsiders" spreading false information concerning the actual use of the bond proceeds. "
I think AKL moved just a few blocks down Jamestown Road after he left the USM President's residence. Unless he has moved since, he is very much "in Hattiesburg." I understand from other posts that the Bowers are, too.
The "powers that be" recognize SFT's "baggage." It is no accident that he is taking a low profile. The bond supporters very much want this to pass, and they recognize that active faculty opposition would undermine their cause. They have enough problems with NO NOT NOW and ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.
Speaking of which, I suspect that ENOUGH IS ENOUGH are the "outsiders" to whom JB refers. It is the political action arm of the Mississippi Restaurant and Hospitality Association that seems intent on undermining any tax based initiative, including such efforts on the Coast and in Jackson. They are really well funded, too. I received two different large, high-gloss post cards from them, one yesterday and another today. It will be interesting to see if we get new ones everyday until the election. Yesterday's showed a poor, middle aged white guy with his head in his hands worried about all the mounting taxes. Today's showed a bunch of upscale white yuppie-types in evening dress toasting each other with champagne. (The bond supporter/sky box crowd, one presumes.) There are captions to the effect that we don't need our own Taj Mahal here in the Burg. Just a tad over the top, so to speak.
In my opinion the EIE ads are overtly misleading. They advert to the bond issue being used to pay for luxury sky boxes (the "Taj Mahal" reference?), which is just not the plain truth. While I agree with another poster, shell game, who points out that money freed up by one source (i.e., the bond issue) may be available for another use (i.e., the sky boxes), that is only a speculative and tangential connection in this instance, not the direct connection the EIE ads would have voters believe.
I think AKL moved just a few blocks down Jamestown Road after he left the USM President's residence. Unless he has moved since, he is very much "in Hattiesburg." I understand from other posts that the Bowers are, too.
aubrey moved to canebrake, not all residences at HCC are in city. jeff very well could be a voter
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Invictus
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RE: RE: RE: RE: I understand why you guys oppose t
quote: Originally posted by: Invictus " Lucas is still listed with a Jamestown Road address on Yahoo People Search... I heard some years back that he'd built a house in Bent Creek."
the next time you see aubrey in his mercedes notice the canebrake property owners decal on windshield, of course he may have bought the mb used and the sticker was a holdover
quote: Originally posted by: home again " the next time you see aubrey in his mercedes notice the canebrake property owners decal on windshield, of course he may have bought the mb used and the sticker was a holdover"
My understanding is AKL owns a lot at Canebrake, thus the reason for the property owner decal on his Mercedes. His residence is on Jamestown Road, down the street from the President's Home. He is a resident of the city of Hattiesburg.
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Emma
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RE: I understand why you guys oppose this Bond....
Invictus is high on my list of people to meet too. Also LVN. Where is she these days? Of course, we all want to meet Judge Cooley, whether or not he is fictional.