Proposed Golf Course

[Livin in Oscoda]

I'm interested in seeing how many think this is a good or bad idea.

Personally I'm for it.

[Just Another Voice]

Well I suppose if the golf course owner, Boyd and Loretta Aldridge, were a good corporate citizen I could take it or leave it.
However, he is NOT a good corporate citizen as he holds up the paving of Golfview Circle because it would cost him some money. Likewise he has no concern for the lake level for the same reason. The entity who will benefit most from the proposed golf course is Boyd and Loretta Aldridge.

[Greenbush Guy]

Ask why Greenbush is not supporting Mr. A. a lot of Mr. A's crews live in Greenbush. Mr. A says his new golf course would be good for the area putting more people to work, increasing the taxbase,... But Mr. A.forgot to tell you he refused to pay his assessed taxes and is fighting Greenbush Township in a tax tribunal.

If Mr. A. gets the land, one stipulation should be that he open all his books up to Township, County and State o-fish-als so the new development, as well as his others, can be properly assessed for taxes.

[rich]

have they noticed golf courses are going bunkO? even Red Hawk cut back considerably

[Livin in Oscoda]

rich wrote:

have they noticed golf courses are going bunkO? even Red Hawk cut back considerably

Golf courses, like any other industry right now are seeing cutbacks, however Red Hawk and Lakewood are two different things. Lakewood is a resort, not just a golf course. This makes a considerable difference.

[Got The Picture]

Looks like the oscoda township board is once again thinking only of themselves and not the citizens. They refuse to listen to the people it will most affect; those living in the area of cedar lake and loud drive,not to mention the wildlife that will undoubtedly be affected and the trees that will be cut down to satisfy the monetary thirst of what a group of hungry golfers will bring to the community. We have acres of property in the area that could be developed without the cost to the people and wildlife. Let "Mr A" find something else to do with his millions; like paying taxes.

[Frustrated Resident]

I have never seen a community that "hopes for failure" from others like this community. They speak out of both sides of their mouths so much that it is hard to understand what people of this town really want! They say "shop local" but discourage growth. They didn't want a casino and now Standish, Arenac and AuGres schools and communities are benefitting tremendously with the dollars the casino sends them. And now a golf course is being challenge by dim wits like "Got the Picture". Where the hell do you get your info "got the picture"? How is the Board "thinking of themselves and not the citizens"? I'm a citizen and I want the golf course to help put dollars in the pockets of this and surrounding communities. If you have a problem with the wildlife of Cedar Lake and Loud drive, you need to be jumping up and down and screaming about the abuse and contamination of the "junk" yard in your back yard.(I don't need to mention the owner by name, but I'm sure you know who I''m talking about) You have sat by and allowed this trash heap to develop in the woods on Loud Drive!!! and now you want to complain about a golf course?????? Why don't you fight for a real cause and not assume all citizens are not being thought of by the Board because I am one citizen that wants this community to grow and a golf course would certainly help. The benefits out weigh all of your complaints. By the way, I live on Cedar Lake so not everyone thinks the way you do.... isn't the human mind wonderful... we all have opinions except some feel theirs is the only one and can't realize other are capable of having an opinion or thoughts. I belive that type of thinking is called "being narrow minded" Sorry about the outburst of feelings, but it's people like you that piss me off because your whiny attitude affects this whole community.....

[Just Another Voice]

Frustrated Resident, how do you feel about the golf course owners refusing to sign on for paving Golfview Circle? They have all the money in the world for a new golf course, "name your price" is what I believe they told the state. No money, however, to be a good corporate citizen. Why? Because there's no profit in it. As for the Township Board, they're perfectly happy for Oscoda to be a part-time employment town. So much so that they intend to lead by example by essentially making all the township employees part-time workers.

[Frustrated Resident]

You must be well intrenched in the local government to have such great facts, insight and knowledge about the moinds of our local Government. My answer to your question about paving your road: PAVE YOUR OWN DAM ROAD! I had to pay an assessment to have mine paved, why shouldn't you? The golf course gets no benefit from your road. And what the hell is a "good corporate citizen"? Is that something you made up? Because someone has money they should be a good "corporate citizen" and pave your road... get a life. You sound like another hard luck gimme gimme gimme hand out story and always wanting something for nothing. You chose to live there now be a good "community citizen" and ask the township to assess your taxes to pave your road. Something you need to understand, Mr A or any other business person is in business to make money and if you are so dam jealous of that fact then you need to get over it! Business is business and businesses do not exist unless there is a profit in it. Do you not understand that concept??... Now, lets talk about the Board being "perfectly happy for Oscoda to be a part-time employment town". Where did you dig that crap up??? Did you poll the Board or is this just another fantasy you have? Give us some more facts to back that statement and I might agree, but because all Michigan golf courses hire mostly part time help does not mean the whole community is a part time employer... DUH. As for part time employment, part time is better than nothing. At least thats a few summer employees that tax payers wont have to support through Government hand out money. Lakewood probably pays more in one year in unemployment money than I make in 3 years. I am sensitive to the fact that your new Cadillac Escalde probably gets dirt driving down that semi-paved circle of yours, but as I stated in my last post: it's people like you that piss me off because your whiny attitude affects this whole community.....

[Sensible]

The 2 posts above by 'Frustrated Resident' YEAH! I'm, for one, pro your opinions. Couldn't have said it better. Shop local without growth is next to impossible. How can a town really survive and be productive and grow on Glens and Family Dollar? We need to get out of the box. A town can't thrive on Glens and Family Dollar alone. We NEED growth. We need COMPETITION. We NEED business's that are capable of employment possibilities. I welcome the new Golf course. And I will welcome ANY other business that wants to locate here. YEAH. WELC
OME. I heard a retiree, in a previous post somewhere here say that they did not want this growth. That the reason they moved here was because there was no rat race. Well, if you want to live a hermits life, I say go to an island where there is no growth or prosperity. Live with the monkeys and the coconuts. But, some of us need to survive here. This is our home. We did not come here to retire and live off our fat pensions. We grew here, were raised here, went to school here, and intend to age here. We need jobs to do that. We need to survive here.

[chiliman]

Frustrated,

It is my understanding that the majority of the residents on Goflview Circle who are not the Golf Course agreed to have their assessments increased to pave the road.

The Golf course which owns more than 50% of the property on Golfview Circle would not agree - effectively killing that initiative.

So the residents were not asking for a handout, they were willing to pay their fair assessment.

We own property here and intend this to be our permanent home. I try to support the local economy but I am also concerned that what steps are taken to bolster the economy be long-term solutions.

The kind of jobs needed have to be related to sustainable full time industries not part time economy (in my opinion Oscoda has sufficient part-time economy).

We also have to be cognizant that a large part of the allure of this area is its small-town nature and the natural setting.

I do not know enough about the particulars surrounding the Golf Course to make any intelligent suggestions as to its worthiness or how it should be deployed if at all.

I am a golfer and enjoy playing the Serradella.

I rarely see great crowds at the other 2 courses so I am not so sure a fourth course would actually pull in that much additional business. Again I don't have any facts, just some casual observation.

Another casual observation: it appears the Course owners are putting money into the courses and their lodging. The clubhouse at the Serradella has seen better days and appears to be lacking in even basic maintenance let alone any improvements.

Currently the golf course business in the US is suffering just like other industries.

I travel a fair amount and I witness many public courses being closed or severely compromised. I also have witnessed many private courses being opened to the public or even closed as a result of the economic downturn.

I doubt Golf will be an economic stimulus for any area soon since it is dependent on disposable income and there is less of that every day.

[Just Another Voice]

And Tiger Woods isn't helping much right now....

[Got The Picture]

Thank you Chiliman!....I vote for you! You are sensible and you stated it well.

[Got The Picture]

Since "they" keep saying Lakewood is a resort, why don't the owners build an indoor golf course simulator for the winter months and poor weather conditions. Then with the rest of the property they can offer a real resort atmosphere such as a lodge with sleigh rides, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, etc. They could even offer a hunters special getaway for "down south hunters". That way the trees don't get eaten up, the wildlife can remain and we have people traveling here in the winter as well. Just a thought.

[Frustrated Resident]

I agree with you Chiliman, but you know, sometimes you take what you can get. If a private investor wants to spend his own money and it will benefit the community there has got to be some value in it. I'm sure every community on the "Sunrise Side" wishes they had a full time industries instead of part time economy. Again, you take what you can get. In my opinion, the Oscoda area appears to lack leadership needed to move this community forward and entice full time industry. You have people like "Just Another Voice" whine about the township board, The reputation of the school district discourages growth, the Villages of Oscoda has lost its appeal (largely due to the lack of wisdom of the leadership)and the Chamber..... well the Chamber is what the Chamber will always be. It's too bad that "Just Another Voice" did not state all the facts about paving Golfview, but maybe there are reasons (and I'm sure there are) that they did not want to participate in the assessment. Maybe they are going to use the money to fix up the clubhouse.
Whatever..... I see more benefit to a new course than not. By the way, I understand there were plans at one time to completely destroy the clubhouse and build a new resort type facility except as usual, the communities squeaky, whiny minority pissed people off and the project died.... for now.

[Got the Picture]

FR... My, my....this is an internet forum used for the purpose of offering all ideas and opinions to be heard. You seem very immature about your emotions. I am not against progress. I was for the casino, the amusement park and the drag strip is growing on me. I think the resort is fine if they use the land wisely. Remember that it is state land that is at issue. This should not be entered into lightly. If the owners want to purchase some other plot of land to build the course, have at it. Also....unless somehow you have managed to retreive personal information on me I suggest you hold onto your thoughts of accusation. You have assumed much...my area of residency, my involvement in local issues and whether or not I am a "dim wit". I assure you FR that my true hope is that my intelligence far exceeds your ability to tolerate those who have differing opinions. As for the township board, well it has long been a issue with many small town government bodies that they live by their own agendas and limit themselves to few opinions. That is my opinion and as for my opinion about you...I will hold that thought.