WAVE Pushes $1.2 Million Dollar Tax Increase for New Hanover County Families

Uses questionable polling data to manipulate public and elected officials

Sounds unbelievable but it’s true. What WAVE Transit is peddling as a mere $7 addition to our automobile registration tax is actually a $1.2 million dollar tax increase for New Hanover County families. According to the New Hanover County tax office there were 173,930 vehicles in the county in 2010. At $7 per car, WAVE will be able to pick our pockets for another  $1.2 million if it has its way.

In an interview with WWAY, WAVE executive director Albert Eby said WAVE had done a scientific survey and “Eighty-seven percent of folks wanted to see service to the beaches." County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield, who also sits on the WAVE transit board, made a similar claim in a September email to constituents. Barfield stated that “…87% of residents in the community are supportive of public transportation service to Wrightsville and the Southern Beaches.”

Our economy is collapsing. Our nation is on the verge of economic default. Families are losing their homes and somehow 87% of citizens in New Hanover County are in favor of higher taxes to pay for bus rides to the beach? That just doesn’t make sense. Honestly, it seems unbelievable.

But hey, this is something everybody wants. That’s what we were told, right? A closer look at the survey Eby and Barfield reference shows the 87% touted is not all that its cracked up to be and is misleading at best.

Approximately 1100 people took the survey. Only 150 of the 1100 even bothered to respond to the question about bus service to the beaches. Of those 150, 130 did indeed agree that buses to the beaches would improve service. Technically, that is 87%.

When you analyze the numbers honestly you see it was only 130 out of 1100, a mere 12% that supported bus service to the beaches. Not quite the “community support” we were told. Keep in mind 950 people didn’t even care enough to answer the question about service to the beaches.

It should also be noted that this same survey showed people put spending tax dollars on more public transportation at nearly the bottom of the priority list. 75 percent did not support a sales tax increase to pay for WAVE expansion, and likewise 90 percent did not support property tax increases.  That wasn't mentioned in the press reports. 

For those representing WAVE to put forth this survey as public support for their agenda is disturbing. To say they have the support of 87% of the community is intellectually dishonest at best. The question now is how can the public trust information coming from this organization?

According to WAVE’S own figures the average cost per ride is $4, yet they charge only $1. The truth is a very slight increase in bus fares would cover any route expansions. Not an idea WAVE Transit seems to be willing to discuss. They’d rather tax those that don’t ride the bus to pay for those that do.

 In the end this proposed scheme would take $1.2 million dollars out of our local economy to be given WAVE for routes that are not needed. Just what the doctor ordered to improve the worst local economy in decades. If  WAVE has it’s way, it will be an ever growing tax burden on the back on new Hanover County families as it continues to expand it’s empire. Hopefully county commissioners will stop this one before it ever leaves the station.

Reference links:

WWAY Albert Eby Interview

Commissioner Barfield Email

WAVE Survey 

County Looking to Take Control of Trash Collection Business

The county held the first of 3 meetings tonight at Ogden Elementary to discuss trash. An estimated 150 people were in attendance to voice their opinion to county officials. After a brief presentation by county officials, a steady stream of people stepped up to the microphone to voice their opposition to the countys efforts to take over trash removal services.

The proposed plan divides the unincorporated parts of the county into two parts, the north and the south. Carriers would bid on providing service to each of the two areas. Winning bidders would provide services for garbage, yard debris, recycling and appliances removal.

While county Manager Bruce Shell said, “Decisions have not been made”,  it appears the county is well on its way to taking over the garbage collection business.

For nearly an hour and a half, one after another, people spoke in opposition to the countys proposal. Commissioner Thompson said on more than one occasion that the people at the meeting did not represent the rest of the county. He also pointed to what he saw as the city’s success in the garbage collection business as support for the county’s plan.

The county tries to claim it would not be eliminating competition, but that’s simply not true. They would in fact bid out the contract and award it to a single carrier for an extended amount of time. Residential customers would be forced to use the company selected by the county or transport their garbage to the dump themselves.

The county’s plan would only apply to residential customers. Businesses would still be free to choose the garbage carrier of their choice.

So whom does the county’s have as a consultant for the project? According County Manager Bruce Shell it’s the same one that advised the county on the failed R3 Environmental deal.

One resident commented officials were coming up with a plan to fix something that wasn’t broke. Another asked to simply be left alone, which lead to a roaring round of applause. The overall sentiment was that residents were happy with their current service and wanted to maintain their ability to choose their service provider.

In the end, this plan by the county represents the most current trend in government. That trend is it to come up with a plan to expand government services, and rather than increase taxes which would create an uproar, they develop a way to send it to tax payers in the form of a bill. Either way, the county seems to be on a mission to expand services in spite of public input. In the end, it will likely result in higher cost for everyone.

WAVE Seeks Tax Increase on NHC Families to Expand Routes

WAVE Transit is pushing a tax increase to pay for expanded bus routes to area beaches. A previous pitch by WAVE had beach towns paying to supplement the bus service, but the town leaders didn’t buy in. This go round WAVE has changed tactics proposing increasing vehicle taxes on New Hanover County families hoping beach leaders approve.

Here’s an idea, why not have those riding the newly proposed beach routes actually pay the cost for providing the service? If someone were to takes a bus to the beach, it’d be for pleasure or to save money on a parking spot. Why should the citizens of New Hanover County have to pay for that? If this is such a needed service, riders should be willing to pay the cost.

On the other hand, the free market has already provided cheap transportation for those not wanting to fight for parking spots at the beach. It’s called a Taxi. They’ll even pick you up right at your front door with no waiting at 100 plus degree bus stops on hot summer days.

Some claim bus service will bring extra revenue to the beaches. Oh, really? If someone can’t afford cab fare for a ride to the beach, why does anyone think that same person will have extra cash for dining and shopping.

On line public comments showed strong opposition to the idea. Opponents point out problems with everything from reports showing declining WAVE ridership to nearly empty buses driving around town.

Bus rides to the beach are a luxury, not a necessity. For any elected official, or bureaucrat at WAVE, to even hint at a tax increase for such a luxury at this time is hard to believe. It shows just how out of touch they are with the people they are suppose to represent. Maybe now is a good time to take a closer look at WAVE as they lobby to become an ever growing tax burden on the cItizens of New Hanover County.

Any tax increase would have to come before the New Hanover County Commissioners for approval. Be sure to take time tell your elected official what you think before it’s to late. You can contact your New Hanover County Commissioners here.

Who's wasting taxpayer dollars?

Recent reports have County Commissioner Chairman Jonathan Barfield taking the New Hanover County School Board to task for two empty buildings and a roof that was replaced on another. He expressed concern over how the school board was spending taxpayer’s dollars and sought “more fiscal oversight.”


Oversight of taxpayer’s dollars? Voters should be reminded that as a member of the WAVE Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority Chairman Barfield approved spending of up to $40,110.00 on a single piece of artwork. An inexplicable waste of taxpayer dollars, especially under the current economic conditions. Follow-up finds the piece is now in place and that it is surprisingly flimsy, which would seem to make it subject to damage from winds storms or an easy target for vandals.

A $40,000 piece of artwork was not the end of the spending binge. A visit to the new WAVE transfer station behind COSTCO reveals a layout that looks more like a ride at Disney World than a public bus stop. The buildings Leed certification, an expensive self proclaimed “eco-friendly” building technique, is used as an excuse to fend off those that might question the construction cost. However, the building practice is so cost prohibitive it is rarely used in the private sector.

 Fortunately our school board has taken a more practical, more cost conscience approach to the structures it builds, and are truly good stewards of the tax dollars entrusted to them. Chairman Barfield seeks to override the will of county voters by attempting to dictate actions of a duly elected school board. We shouldn't let that happen.

References:
WAVE Artwork Request For Proposal
WAVE Meeting Minutes 2.25.2010

Commissioner Offers Tax Increases to Make Up for WAVE Budget Deficit

WAVE budget deficits a growing burden for taxpayers

In an email to constituents Friday, New Hanover County Commissioner Jonathan Barfield offered a vehicle registration tax and a 1/4% sales tax hike as options to make up for looming WAVE transit budget shortfalls. He stated he was not advocating one way or the other, but was looking for feedback on the subject. (Read the complete email here.) 

NC House Bill 148 was signed into law in September of 2009 . Barfield explained the bill as follows: “…the legislation allows the authority (WAVE Transit) the ability to seek a resolution from the New Hanover County Board of Commissioners for a vehicle registration fee of up to $7.00 per vehicle and/or for the commissioners to call a referendum levying ¼ cent to the sales tax with the proceeds exclusively benefiting public transportation in the county.” The additional taxes would be used to cover everything from new buses to employee benefits.

The email does not mention raising rider fares to cover the associated cost of use.

Even with a decline in ridership of nearly 20%, the list of WAVE spending projects continues to grow. The new WAVE transit station, nicknamed the “Taj-Ma-Wave” by some for it’s over the top design, is currently under construction behind Costco. The project includes an allocation of up to $40,000 for a single piece of artwork.

The downtown multi modal center is another project being pushed by the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority (WAVE) that would ultimately be funded by taxpayers as well. Barfield sits on the Cape Fear Public Transportation Authority board. Who was it that said, “Build it and they will come?”

Commissioner Barfield asked for feedback. Mine is below. Please take time to let him know your opinion regarding another tax increase. His email address is jbarfield@nhcgov.com

Dear Commissioner Barfield

Please, please, please do not even consider raising our taxes. We are being taxed to death, literally, a 1/4% at a time. The current economic condition of our state and country should serve as a slap in the face that things must change. The spending and taxing has to come to an end. We are headed full speed at the unforgiving wall of economic destruction, a crash it will take our country a long time to recover from, assuming we are able to recover at all. The “free ride” is over.  Working families simply can’t afford it anymore.      

Derail the Wilmington Multi-Modal Center Now

A bad idea ultimately costing taxpayers millions

Ahhhh....the multi-modal center. A tantalizing mix of city buses, taxis and trains to nowhere, all in one magical location. We thought it had gone away, but now it has reared its ugly head again. What is the multi-modal center really? A perfect example of the massive government waste that has put our city, our county, our state and our nation in the dire financial straights we find ourselves in today.

Thousands have already been wasted on studies. It will cost tens of millions dollars to build, and in the end, taxpayers will be left holding the bag paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in salaries and yearly maintenance cost.

City Councilwoman Laura Padgett is quoted as saying “We need this.” “We” need this? She says we need it “to get those synergies.” “Synergies” of what? A bunch of taxis and city buses all in the same parking lot? Apparently “synergy” in the government speak means “a colossal waste of taxpayer dollars.” If that's the case, maybe we need a little less synergy and a little more common sense.

Here's the bill of goods supporters are trying to sell us:
1) That people riding a bus are going to go to this multi-modal center, get off the bus, and then take a taxi some place else in the city(that also has bus service!)
2) That the person in a taxi, rather than going from point A to point B like a
taxi is suppose to, is going to choose instead to be dropped off at the multi modal center, so they can then take a bus to bus stop, and then walk the rest of the way to their destination.
3) And finally, if you think #1 & #2 are going to happen, then you also must believe that all the people riding in the buses and taxis are going to be lining up to take the train out of town.
You’re right. None of these scenarios make any sense, but that’s the logic behind the need for the multi modal center.

Oh yeah, and bringing a train into downtown Wilmington. That sounds like a great idea, too!

Keep in mind these are the same folks that approved an expenditure of $40,000 for a single piece of artwork for the new WAVE Transit Station behind Costco. They simply don’t have the best interest of the taxpayer in mind.

This boondoggle will ultimately be another tax burden on the citizens of Wilmington and New Hanover County. There are only a few people driving this project, but if we don’t take time to stand up and say enough is enough, it will be built.

Below are some of our local elected officials that serve on the Transportation Advisory Committees. Take a moment now to email and tell them this multi-modal hub is a massive waste of taxpayer dollars and to please stop this project now. Contact your state legislators as well.

jbarfield@nhcgov.com
laura.padgett@wilmingtonnc.gov
bill.saffo@wilmingtonnc.gov
jthompson@nhcgov.com

Related links of interest:
WWAY TV3 Coverage of this story
Star News Article Downtown transit hub getting back on track
Star News Article Padgett wants seat on N.C. Board of Transportation
Wilmington Metropolitan Planning Organization