116 replies to this topic

[asbestoshills]

WHAT ABOUT THE FOLSOM SPORTS COMPLEX AND THE GUY WHO SCREWED THE CITY FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS..

IT SOUNDS LIKE AN EPISODE OF SOPRANOS....GIVE ME YOUR TRAIN PROFITS AND NOTHIN' WILL HAPPEN TO YOU......A LITTLE PROTECTION MONEY MAYBE ....TO KEEP THE TRAIN THING GOIN'............

GOSH, SHAME ON YOU CITY OF FOLSOM...OH MY, A .25 CENT INCREASE IN TICKET PRICES....

WHY DON'T YOU FOCUS ON WHY YOU TAKE ALL THE MONEY FROM PRAIRIE OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD MAINTENANCE AND COMMON AREAS AND USE IT TO ACTUALLY BEAUTIFY PRARIE CITY DRIVE? IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE EXTRA MONEY IS GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND .....DON"T WORRY THOUGH, THERE WILL BE A REQUEST TO SEE WHERE ALL THAT MONEY GOES...THAT NEIGHBORHOOD PAYS THE MOST IN EXCESS FEES THAN ALL THE OTHER FOLSOM NEIGHBORHOODS INC. EMPIRE RANCH...WHY AREN'T THE COMMON FENCES REPAIRED OR REPLACED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? WHEN I CALL THE CITY I JUST GET THE RUN AROUND.....

[Robert Giacometti]

WHAT ABOUT THE FOLSOM SPORTS COMPLEX AND THE GUY WHO SCREWED THE CITY FOR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS..

IT SOUNDS LIKE AN EPISODE OF SOPRANOS....GIVE ME YOUR TRAIN PROFITS AND NOTHIN' WILL HAPPEN TO YOU......A LITTLE PROTECTION MONEY MAYBE ....TO KEEP THE TRAIN THING GOIN'............

GOSH, SHAME ON YOU CITY OF FOLSOM...OH MY, A .25 CENT INCREASE IN TICKET PRICES....

WHY DON'T YOU FOCUS ON WHY YOU TAKE ALL THE MONEY FROM PRAIRIE OAKS NEIGHBORHOOD MAINTENANCE AND COMMON AREAS AND USE IT TO ACTUALLY BEAUTIFY PRARIE CITY DRIVE? IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE EXTRA MONEY IS GOING TO THE GENERAL FUND .....DON"T WORRY THOUGH, THERE WILL BE A REQUEST TO SEE WHERE ALL THAT MONEY GOES...THAT NEIGHBORHOOD PAYS THE MOST IN EXCESS FEES THAN ALL THE OTHER FOLSOM NEIGHBORHOODS INC. EMPIRE RANCH...WHY AREN'T THE COMMON FENCES REPAIRED OR REPLACED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD? WHEN I CALL THE CITY I JUST GET THE RUN AROUND.....

You are combining many different issues. Parks and L & L's are supposed to be seperate funding mechanisms. If you can prove there are funds being comingled then let all of us know. One can make the argument that since they both pay for Admistrative costs there is a relationship.

First and foremost, the City's deal to purchase the sports complex was and still is the best deal the City of Folsom has EVER recieved! The owner of the complex sold it to the city at BELOW his cost to build it and is carrying the note INTEREST FREE! FYI for everyone, he had recieved inquirys from other who were willing to pay substantially more than the deal he cut for the city.

Can anyone give us an example of where the city was able to buy something BELOW market price and BELOW what it actually cost to build and then have the note carried interest free?

I can understand if people want to debate the merits of the city owning and operating a sports complex, but the deal to buy it was a sweetheart for the city!

[Bill Z]

§ Mr. Gold has raised the ride fare $.25 which provides more than two times the revenue necessary to cover the increased rent expense to the city.

I have no idea how much of a rent increase has been asked for because the above memo is vague on that, but if it eats up his profits I don't blame him for wanting to call it quits.

Maybe you should re-read the post, I've kept the part above that should answer your question.

[ducky]

Maybe you should re-read the post, I've kept the part above that should answer your question.

Yeah, that didn't escape me. The part about the 25-cent increase really doesn't answer that question if in the whole scheme of things that increase was needed to cover other increased expenses to Mr. Gold's train or snack bar operations. Just because the city picks that out and tells Mr. Gold to use it towards their rent increase doesn't mean it makes his operation financially feasible.

[granto]

I wonder about that statement that the city has made substantial investments in the zoo. I know that the public has donated a lot to the zoo, also. Does anybody know where that money goes that you stick in the mouth of the statue inside the zoo? Does it go directly to the zoo or does it go into some city general fund?


The memo above points out that Mr. Gold's income has increased because ridership has increased, but fails to point out that his costs have probably also increased. I imagine all those "extra" events they point out mean Mr. Gold has to work "extra" hours.

The city is obviously making Mr. Gold out to be greedy (notice the spelling above of Gold's with a dollar and cent sign instead of apostrophe "S.") Mr. Gold is a businessman and is entitled to make a profit for his hard work. I have no idea how much of a rent increase has been asked for because the above memo is vague on that, but if it eats up his profits I don't blame him for wanting to call it quits.

1. All the zoo money goes to a zoo trust fund that the city maintains. The Friends foundation (a separate non-profit) raises money for zoo and animal improvements. I believe the train/consession revenue also goes into the zoo trust fund.

2. As this memo was duplicated and provided by John, I think you need to ask him if the apostrophe change was intended or an accident. I tend not to subsribe to consipiracy theories so I am betting on an unfortunate accident.

3. Most government consession agreements are based on a portion of revenue (e.g. 1% of revenue or 8% of profits as an example). If that is the case with this one, I do not see how an operator could get "put" out of business.

What I gather from this memo is that the city is committed to making sure the train keeps operating for families no matter who the consessionaire is.

[ducky]

1. All the zoo money goes to a zoo trust fund that the city maintains. The Friends foundation (a separate non-profit) raises money for zoo and animal improvements. I believe the train/consession revenue also goes into the zoo trust fund.

Thanks for the explanation. I'm more likely to continue giving if I know it's only going to the zoo.

2. As this memo was duplicated and provided by John, I think you need to ask him if the apostrophe change was intended or an accident. I tend not to subsribe to consipiracy theories so I am betting on an unfortunate accident.

I didn't say anything about a conspiracy so I'm not sure how you made that jump. I doubt John changed the memo. That cents symbol isn't even on my keyboard or anywhere near the apostrophe so I don't think it could be an accident.

3. Most government consession agreements are based on a portion of revenue (e.g. 1% of revenue or 8% of profits as an example). If that is the case with this one, I do not see how an operator could get "put" out of business.

What I gather from this memo is that the city is committed to making sure the train keeps operating for families no matter who the consessionaire is.

I'm glad to hear they are committed to keeping the train. I just think Mr. Gold has done a great job for almost two decades. I would hate to see someone else come in and have rate increases, lousy hours, and shoddy mainteance.

[asbestoshills]

You are combining many different issues. Parks and L & L's are supposed to be seperate funding mechanisms. If you can prove there are funds being comingled then let all of us know. One can make the argument that since they both pay for Admistrative costs there is a relationship.

First and foremost, the City's deal to purchase the sports complex was and still is the best deal the City of Folsom has EVER recieved! The owner of the complex sold it to the city at BELOW his cost to build it and is carrying the note INTEREST FREE! FYI for everyone, he had recieved inquirys from other who were willing to pay substantially more than the deal he cut for the city.

Can anyone give us an example of where the city was able to buy something BELOW market price and BELOW what it actually cost to build and then have the note carried interest free?

I can understand if people want to debate the merits of the city owning and operating a sports complex, but the deal to buy it was a sweetheart for the city!

HOW CAN THE owner afford to sell something below his cost to build it???? WHAT is he getting in return? Don' t tell me it was for charity? Is he getting a huge tax break....What is the deal?

Also, why is PRairie Oaks common area run down when the home owners pay a fortune to keep it nice? We pay more than Empire Ranch and the Parkway....Please help if you can...I want to see the accounting of where the money goes...It's almost $1500 extra per year...
on top of property taxes....Some is used for Gallardo elementary, but where is the remaining money? All the city does is mow the lawns...The landscaping is atrocious on Prairie City.....

P.S.-The train guy is not making a fortune.....Hopefully, he will stay...

[Robert Giacometti]

HOW CAN THE owner afford to sell something below his cost to build it???? WHAT is he getting in return? Don' t tell me it was for charity? Is he getting a huge tax break....What is the deal?

Also, why is PRairie Oaks common area run down when the home owners pay a fortune to keep it nice? We pay more than Empire Ranch and the Parkway....Please help if you can...I want to see the accounting of where the money goes...It's almost $1500 extra per year...
on top of property taxes....Some is used for Gallardo elementary, but where is the remaining money? All the city does is mow the lawns...The landscaping is atrocious on Prairie City.....

P.S.-The train guy is not making a fortune.....Hopefully, he will stay...

I'm sure there has been some point in your life where you made a donation to worthy cause because it was something you believed in and NOT for tax reasons. There are people who have the ability to make larger donations than you & I make, for the same reasons we do.

When the previous owner started to explore building the project, I was coaching his oldest son in basketballand we were always running to other comunities to play games because there was lack of facilities in Folsom. He wanted the Folsom kids to have their own facility so he set out to build one and used his experience, talents and resources and did it, for far less than what the city could build it for. He then donated all his time and talents and sold the building below his DIRECT costs back to the city, in one of the most generous altrustic things I have ever personally seen by an individual!

He could have sold it for more money and made a profit, but that was NEVER his intentions, it was always to give the children & adults of Folsom a top of the line recreational facility.

IMHO, we as a community owe him a tremendous amout of gratitude for his generosity for what he has done!

The issue about your L & L should be addressed to the city staff person who can answer them. You might also contact Don Bergst (a community activist) who has spent many hours researching and asking questions about these.

I have found there are generally 2 different perspectives to each issue, so getting both perspectives may be beneficial in forming your own opinion.

[palango]

My kids love that train. If he shuts it down, it would a huge loss to the city.

[ducky]

http://www.folsomtel...tail/80212.html

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

Today's Telegraphs says there's an online poll at the Telegraph's website. I don't see it. Do you?

[john]

I think it's a cash grab. An 'event tax' is bollocks... if you want to see something done, email parks & rec... voices go a long way. Lots of voices go even farther.

[ducky]

I couldn't find the poll either, resumelady.

Here is my favorite quote from the article. I believe it's being attributed to Mr. Sheldon, parks & rec czar:

“All we’re trying to do is give the city its fair shake,” he said. “But (Gold) has got to face reality. These are tough economic times and the city can’t keep sustaining his lifestyle without getting anything in return."

Nothing in return, huh? I know people that only come to Folsom so their kids can ride the train and go to the zoo. There are probably countless scrapbooks out there with their child's first train ticket given to them by Mr. Gold next to the picture of their first ride on the train.

The city can't keep sustaining his "lifestyle"? What exactly does that mean? Sounds more like Mr. Sheldon doesn't care about recognizing someone that has provided 18 years of a unique and valuable service to this city and is ready to kick him to the curb.

[Andrea V]

I couldn't find the poll either, resumelady.

Here is my favorite quote from the article. I believe it's being attributed to Mr. Sheldon, parks & rec czar:

“All we’re trying to do is give the city its fair shake,” he said. “But (Gold) has got to face reality. These are tough economic times and the city can’t keep sustaining his lifestyle without getting anything in return."

Nothing in return, huh? I know people that only come to Folsom so their kids can ride the train and go to the zoo. There are probably countless scrapbooks out there with their child's first train ticket given to them by Mr. Gold next to the picture of their first ride on the train.

The city can't keep sustaining his "lifestyle"? What exactly does that mean? Sounds more like Mr. Sheldon doesn't care about recognizing someone that has provided 18 years of a unique and valuable service to this city and is ready to kick him to the curb.

You should write THAT to the city!!

[Robert Giacometti]

I couldn't find the poll either, resumelady.

Here is my favorite quote from the article. I believe it's being attributed to Mr. Sheldon, parks & rec czar:

“All we’re trying to do is give the city its fair shake,” he said. “But (Gold) has got to face reality. These are tough economic times and the city can’t keep sustaining his lifestyle without getting anything in return."

Nothing in return, huh? I know people that only come to Folsom so their kids can ride the train and go to the zoo. There are probably countless scrapbooks out there with their child's first train ticket given to them by Mr. Gold next to the picture of their first ride on the train.

The city can't keep sustaining his "lifestyle"? What exactly does that mean? Sounds more like Mr. Sheldon doesn't care about recognizing someone that has provided 18 years of a unique and valuable service to this city and is ready to kick him to the curb.

Please people don't be jumping to conclusions over a public relations ploy by Mr. Gold!

There is a HUGE portion about this topic that isn't being talked about in public.

Ernie Sheldon has done more for this community regarding children than the next 3 people combined! There is NO way Ernie Sheldon or any of the council members are trying to close the train. Mr Goss is also a stand up guy who would NEVER do anything to hurt the city of Folsom.

FYI, I served on the Park Commision nearly 10 years ago when this subject was discussed then and I KNOW first hand there are some issues that we as taxpayers need to have addressed regarding the train and its operations.

Don't be sucked into something you really don't understand!