Rowlett spending big dough to try to win national award

sppollard, says:

I moved to Rowlett 20 years ago this week. Rowlett was a city of just over 20,000, we're now about 55,000. The tax base in 1989 was 86% residential and 16% commercial/business. Today the split is about 80% residential and 20% commercial/business.

When I moved to Rowlett in May 1989 the big item of discussion was Hwy 190 AKA George Bush Turnpike. The City was split 50/50 pro/against. We held up the roadway that 20 years later is finally being built, and during the 20 years Rockwall's businesses has boomed, the tax base for Rockwall boomed and blossomed. Rowlett, we just grew in population, but not in commercialism. Garland's tax base has boomed at Firewheel and Bass Pro, but not Rowlett, while we fought business growth.
We were short sighted - don't raise my taxes, don't build that store near me. So we have the high tax rates from .499 cents per hundred to over .74 cents per hundred.

People need to wakeup and notice that to repave roads cost money, to replace water pipes due to deterioration or they’re to small for the needed water pressure cost money. Sewer cost money, city employees cost money, police and fire cost money. People need to realize if you want to keep the value of your home up, you want the amenities of ball fields, soccer fields, senior center, etc. someone has to pay for them and that's through taxes, right now, residential.

The City is trying to get the All American City designation; the total cost approx. $70,000. If we are successful and the designation can help land one major employer or revenue producing business in the city then the sales tax, real estate tax, and business personal property tax will more than make up the $70,000 in 1 to 2 years. The rest will go to the general fund to build a senior center but not through higher taxes on the residents.
Don't be short sighted. Don't help cut our nose off despite ourselves, don't have the tunnel vision that has kept this City down while our neighbors have prospered because they had a vision for the future and implemented while we, Rowlett sit and gripe that our taxes are too high and we don't have anything.

And, oh yes, I personally had something to do with having WalMart here, Target and the adjacent shopping center, Home Depot, Tom Thumb and the adjacent shopping center, Albertsons and the shopping center it is in, the addition to the hospital, and several other things.

For you naysayers that are against the All America City designation, those that are against business growth, against the Turnpike, against City spending; what have YOU done to diversify the tax base, what have YOU done to positively affect this City and business and/or tax growth? Most of you have done nothing but gripe.

Anybody can gripe, but few have or give workable solutions. I challenge you to get involved in the City workings, bring workable solutions to the table.
Stanley Pollard P&Z member 1995 to 2005 Rowlett Bldg Codes & Appeals Board 1993-1995

Rowlettian, says:

Mr. Pollard, just because we are opposed to the City "applying" for this "award" after the City cuts its budget and lays off people (as in human beings), does not mean we are opposed to growth in this City. It means we are opposed to wasteful spending at an inappropriate time.

By the way, why is there an application fee for an award?

Also, the group that administers this award will not release figures of who applies. It would appear, on the surface, that everyone who applies, is always a winner or a runner up. Do you have any facts to dispute that? If this is the case, then we can expect Rowlett to win. If not, then this money is absolutely wasted.

I am extremely skeptical of this alleged award. It sure seems like a way for a few folks to get a trip to sunny FLA on the City's expense.

jtmbls, says:

ooohhhh...heeeyyy...idea!

People of Rowlett, I am willing to offer you the distinguished jtmbls Hottest City on the Planet Award for less than half the total cost of this other award! It will be the best damn designation you have ever had! Big Business will flock to your town.

So, will that be cash or cashier’s check???

(Gosh, this is so much easier than starting a church!)

RuralMaid, says:

Now, this is wonderful :) Daniel Rowlett would be very proud of the path his settlement (estab. ca. 1835) is taking. Historic preservation and revitalization of inner-towns is almost always a bright move for a community, if the funds and support can be raised.

Ahh-chooh!! 'Love your underarm deodorant' <my gosh!=""> I'll play nice. Bye-bye.</my>