The Millwood Avenue closure debate

Does anyone have any factual WPD data to support how many accidents have happened on this piece of roadway on Millwood between TV3 and OBT over the last 5yrs?

I can recall several at the Sheetz intersection beside the new SU business school but cannot recall piece of Millwood section that is in question of being a dangerous piece of road.

Really, is this not a final piece of the "deal of the century" that took place back in August of 1995 when the City sold the former Rouss Park (7.2446 acres) to SU for $1.5million at 0% interest on a 3yr note?

This is also at the time when the Park & Rec authority board lost their power and became an "advisory" board to City Council.

This should NOT be a land swap deal.  SU needs to pay "fair market value" for the piece of property that sits in front of OBT.

If a deal goes thru ...

SU will own ALL of that property expect the Beltone property which for some reason SU sold that to the present owners back in 1985 which was just before Dr. Davis came on board.

SU will own everything on the southern end of Jim Barnett Park expect the Tennis Courts and Ross Potts basketball courts.

It's been said that a deal was in the works and near completion of SU getting back that Beltone property (unconfirmed if a deal has been completed or not) and that is up to those individual owners on how they decide to wheel & deal on their own personal property.

The former Armory building ... actually Shenandoah University was 50/50 owner of this building already with the Commonwealth Of VA-Dept Military Affairs. So SU bought out VA-Dept Military Affairs half for $750,000.

But were you aware that the City of Winchester owned 50% of this building up until June of 2006 at which time the City of Winchester sold, well gave away their 50% stake to Shenandoah University for just one-dollar, $1.00?  To clarify, it was donated to SU. The $1.00 transaction fee freed the City of Winchester of any future liability from how it was understood.

Wonder why city officials back in 2006 did not at least get "fair market value" for the city’s 50% stake in the Armory building?

Wonder why city officials did not put the former Winchester Volunteer Rescue Squard building/property out on the open real estate market?

A couple of sources shared that OutBack and one of the major drug store chains were interested but the perception is that those tax base generating businesses were never considered.  Do not believe there was never any doubt that it was going to become part of SU's campus and home of the new business school.

Just more prime examples how the red carpet has been rolled by the City of Winchester for Shenandoah University.

As it's been stated previously, give and take, it's a 2-way street but the perception is that it's been 1-way for SU's entire stay in Winchester.

Back on July 25, 2008 … SU’s real-estate portfolio was as follows:

SU had 66.357 acres in the city with a tax assessed value of $62,272,700 and on-line records show that SU's total sum for those transactions was in the tune of $11,140,176.

As for Frederick County, SU owned 78.15 acres with a then tax assessed value of $4,473,000 million and records show that their out of pocket cash paid to obtain ownership was $710,020.

If this deal goes thru …

SU will get the official "entrance" that they have been seeking and everyone at SU will be happy.

The perception will be that "malfunction junction" just became a bigger problem of heavier traffic congestion as the citizens and motorists will become even more disgruntled with the outcome.  Will this perception become reality? 

Who will be responsible for paying to get this problem resolved of malfunction junction? 

How does the motorists and citizens benefit from this land swap deal?

To close, SU is here to stay and offers a lot of positives but again, they are collecting much prime time real estate that they need to pay at least "fair market value" vs. land swap deals and wholesale deals of City owned property.

SU’s economic impact study, really ... has anyone seen an impact study paid for by a university that is not going to cast a positive light?  How much more timely could that study been released, than several days before the public meeting with the MPO committee?

The citizens of Winchester need to voice their opinion come Monday evening.

The Pub stated back on 10/5/2009 that an SU impact study was coming

Reference this blog post:

Monday, October 5, 2009

Has the City of Winchester embraced Shenandoah University into our local community?

SU's local economic impact study released

To review the Executive Summary of the documented study, click on the following link:

http://www.su.edu//www/Shenandoah-Univ-Economic-Impact-Analysis.pdf 

The perception is that the president of TischlerBise, L. Carson Bise II should be somewhat familiar with SU and the local area as he received his MBA in Economics from Shenandoah University.

Other commonwealth university studies that might be of interest:

EMU's
http://www.emu.edu/ir/impact-study/economic/

JMU's
www.jmu.edu/instresrch/resrchstud/economic/EcoImp06.pdf

UVA's
http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/pdf/econ_impact_broc.pdf

Watch City Council Monthly Meetings "on-demand" via DotZot.net

There is new opportunity for the citizens of Winchester to keep more informed with the monthly City Council meetings being recorded and made available on-demand at the following website of www.DotZot.net.

A statement obtained from their website:

DotZot is a local online video network. We are serving the Winchester area by producing programming that engages the community. Our programming aim is to bring local businesses, events, and sports to you.

DotZot.net also is producing a Winchester Weekly spotlight which reminds you of the former Cable Talk show that Barry Lee did on Adelphia Cable Channel 6.

To watch the City Council meetings "on-demand", just click on the following link: www.DotZot.net and click on the Government tab at the top of the screen.

Google Apps, will it be the direction for ALL educational institutions to go?

Just wanted to share ... wonder if the local school systems are looking into Google Apps?  After reviewing what Google Apps has to offer, not sure how any educational institution cannot afford to not take advantage of the free service.

Build your 21st century school, starting today ...
Google Apps' advanced collaboration and communication tools make it easy to help your students acquire the skills that will help them soar, in their education and out in the world.  There's no hardware to maintain or software to install, no ads, and no cost for schools.
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/k12.html

10 reasons to choose Google Apps:
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/sell.html

Customer’s stories:
http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/customers.html

Not sure if the Frederick County Public Schools and Winchester Public Schools are exploring the opportunity with Google Apps but the perception is that it will be most cost effective way to go for the future.

It was communicated to The Pub that Shenandoah University has taken advantage of Google Apps.

SU working on a deal to regain the Beltone Hearing Aid property?

The Pub was informed from a credible source last week that SU is working to make a deal to regain the Beltone Hearing Aid property at 1650 Apple Blossom Drive beside TV3-Winchester.

The current Beltone land was once in the real-estate portfolio for SU but for some reason, SU officials sold that land years ago (1985 timeframe) for $90,000 to the present Beltone owners.

The perception is that SU has a plan in place with the hopes for the closure of Millwood Ave and the hopes of sealing a deal to regain the property at 1650 Apple Blossom Drive.

Wonder what the plan is?  Seems logical for an ideal location for an official campus entrance to be constructed.  SU admins have made that known that they really have no official entrance to the campus.

If there is really a safety issue with students crossing the street, it seems like the Apple Blossom Drive section below Sheetz down toward the Beltone Hearing Aid area is the most dangerous vs. the Millwood Ave section in front of  OBT and TV3.

If SU gets the closure of Millwood Ave in front of OBT/TV3 and regains the Beltone Hearing Aid property, then if not mistaken, SU will own everything from vacant lot beside Bob Evan's up along Millwood on both side to the Beltone property and SU's new business school.

SU company sued after eatery closes

The Pub made a comment about this back on March 8th.

The former Jimmy's Steakhouse Restaurant ... is there another side to that story???

SU company sued after eatery closes
August 21, 2010
By Vic Bradshaw
The Winchester Star
    

WINCHESTER- A local restaurateur has filed a lawsuit seeking up to $1 million from a company owned by Shenandoah University, saying changes it made led to the demise of his long-standing family business.

George James Sempeles - who took over the restaurant his father founded at the site in 1964 and operated it as Jimmy's Steak and Seafood Grill - has sued Shenandoah Hotel Property LLC (SHP) for breach of contract.

The lawsuit was filed Thursday in Frederick County Circuit Court. It requests a jury trial.

The suit details an array of changes made at the hotel property at 1017 Millwood Pike (U.S. 50) that opened as a Holiday Inn and now is a Quality Inn. It claims those changes negatively affected Sempeles' business, which he closed on or about Feb. 24.

Follow this link to read the complete story ...
http://winchesterstar.com/articles/view/su_company_sued_after_eatery_closes

Discovery Musuem location in the Park debate

Does anyone remember a debate like this back in 2004 on the DM location in Jim Barnett Park?

I sure do not recall any such debate, wonder why or maybe I missed it?

What is a "park" and why was the DM location chosen in Jim Barnett Park?

Not showing any disrespect here, but just wanted to remind everyone that a "park" is:

1. An area of land set aside for public use, as:
a. A piece of land with few or no buildings within or adjoining a town, maintained for recreational and ornamental purposes.
b. A landscaped city square.
c. A large tract of rural land kept in its natural state and usually reserved for the enjoyment and recreation of visitors.

Is not Jim Barnett Park becoming more and more commercialized with more buildings while losing valuable green space?

Times have changed and the lease has expired, why not explore keeping the DM downtown to hopefully keep a draw of visitors on the walking mall to patronize those businesses.

After having dialog with two former Park-n-Rec board members, they basically had NO say in the deal as City Council and DM members worked it out.

Wonder why DM and the 2004 City Council members/Ed Daley were so gung ho about the Park?

Wonder if it will eventually have some connection with SU?

Wonder who will benefit the most with the DM in the Park?

Park perception - Now transitioning into a private club?

If Discovery Museum officials are all about constructing a “green” building, then why would supporters even consider building on basically the last desirable green space in Jim Barnett Park?

Anyone can clearly understand why DM officials wanted the building in Jim Barnett Park with the sweetheart deal that was given on a 40-year lease for $1 annually on the land, but that deal has expired.

Wonder why this green space was even offered up by the prior Parks & Rec board and City Council back in 2004?

Has not Jim Barnett Park already sacrificed enough green space? Most notable, back in 1995, the community lost free use of 7.2446 acres of the former Rouss Park, which was open space that included an unsecured baseball field that is now home to Ohrstrom-Bryant Theatre. Shenandoah University got the deal of the century when it purchased the Rouss park property for $1.5 million at 0 percent interest on a three-year note for that high-profile green space.

Why would I state “deal of the century”?

- SU paid $8.09 per square foot for the former Exxon station property lot at 710 Millwood Ave., now an SU parking lot beside Bob Evans, on May 14, 1993.

- SU purchased Rouss Park for $4.75 per square foot on Aug. 17, 1995. 

- SU paid $9.71 per square foot for the property at 647 Millwood on April 1, 1996, a former service station property lot that is basically now the parking lot at TV3-Winchester.

As Shelly Lee pointed out in The Star on May 4, the museum is educational, but how is it going to be affordable for all children with the rate of admission jumping from $7 at the present location to $10 if it’s constructed in the park?

Several folks have already shared their thoughts in The Star with alternative possibilities because there are so many vacant and under-utilized buildings in Winchester in or close to the downtown with ample parking.

Kudos to the current Parks & Rec board members who did a heckuva job in drawing up all of those questions on the Discovery Museum that were featured in The Star on April 24.

The vision of WPRD is that it strives to develop, provide, and maintain quality programs and facilities that meet the growing needs of our diverse community.

The perception is that Jim Barnett Park is transitioning into a private club if individuals don’t have necessary funds to participate.

Immigration by the Numbers

November 02, 2006 — This is a MUST SEE video for anyone interested in the immigration debate, whether you are a citizen, an illegal alien or a Congressman.

This video, Immigration by the Numbers, features Roy Beck demonstrating the catastrophe of the huge numbers of both legal and illegal immigration by Third World people into the modern nations. He uses standard statistics and simple gumballs to show this disaster in the making.

Video was done by Roy Beck:
http://www.answers.com/topic/roy-beck

Valley Health meeting deals with growth

First of all, I like to state in my opinion, Mr. Mark Merrill is a very nice individual.  I think he'll be the best thing to happen to VHS.
 
There is no doubt that VHS is feeling the affects of the economy as it was featured in a story today in the Winchester Star ... Valley Health meeting deals with growth

Merrill also noted some challenges Valley Health has been facing, such as a declining demand for elective surgeries and an increase of charity care and bad debt in the last four years.

“We’ve had almost a 1 percent increase, or a $10 to $12 million increase, year-over-year in terms of our charity care and bad debt, as the economy has softened and more people have been added to the roles of the uninsured,” he said. “Hopefully, the health reform will reduce some of those uninsured.”

BUT I have much concern if VHS is doing a better job of pre-qualifying the customers.  Up until last May/June timeframe of 2009, their billing policy was not as detailed as it reads today ... www.valleyhealthlink.com/billing


Valley Health's previous billing policy … Valley Health January 15, 2009 Financial Aid Policy  basically stated the following:

- Please pay us
- If you cannot pay us, make arrangements to pay us
- If you are uninsured, we want a deposit

I was informed of a lady right now that was paying $10 per week on an outstanding bill and VHS elected to garnish her wages.

After a friend of mine inquired with me, the perception is that this lady is a prime candidate for some type of financial assistance.  I asked … did she fill out the FIS form?  My friend stated that from what he understood that she was not aware of any such FIS form.

Currently, the middle-aged lady has the necessary forms in her possession and hopefully the outstanding debt that VHS has elected to garnish her wages for will be written off as bad-debt now since it’s already been billed.

There is a strong suspicion that this lady would have qualified for “charity-care” only IF she would have been pre-qualified.

Now here’s the kicker, if VHS is not doing the best job possible of pre-qualifying the customers, then if it’s done after the fact, after it’s been billed, that will inflate the “bad debt” figure as it’s the “charge figure” that is written off vs. the “cost figure” when “charity care” is predetermined.

Basically, if you sell a widget for $100 but it only costs you $2 to make, then for “charity care” purposes you are only allowed to write-off $2.  Once it’s been billed at the charge of $100, then VHS has to write-off $100 for bad-debt if a customer qualifies for charity-care assistance after the fact of being billed.

Now granted, there are some folks who have the ability to pay but refuse to pay as those would be legitimate bad debt expenses.
 
The evident perception was that if you the customer did not ask or inquire about any type of financial assistance, then VHS did not inform you.  Mr. Merrill told me in person that they are trying to do a better job of pre-qualifying the customers.

So folks, it’s up to you to ask the questions and file the necessary FIS form found in the following link … www.valleyhealthlink.com/billing

To close, don't forget the WMC had been pretty darn profitable.

The Winchester Medical Center's profits alone from 2001-2007 increased 460%.

2001 - $11.8 million (per Quad State Biz Journal)
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2005 - $54,346,679 (per IRS990)

2006 - $57,422,678 (per IRS990)

2007 - $66,617,961 (per IRS990)

The Spirit of Shenandoah campaign update

Campaign Progress

Overall Campaign Goal: $65.0 million
Raised to Date: $65.1 million

The overall campaign goal is comprised of the following:

Capital Gifts
Capital Gifts Goal: $29.5 million
Raised to Date: $18.3 million


Endowment
Endowment Goal: $32.0 million
Raised to Date: $16.6 million


Operational
Operational Goal: $3.5 million
Raised to Date: $30.2 million



http://www.spiritofshenandoah.org/Progress/progress.asp