Good to see the emergence of the Sandhills Tribune and this new venture, We are the Pines. Competition is needed, in this case perhaps to pressure all news vehicles serving the local market to deal with issues openly and honestly, no matter whose toes get stepped on. The management/ownership behind any of these players need to distance themselves from the local movers and shakers, not try to become one, as was the trap Mr. Woronoff seems to have fallen in. A community newspaper is a break-even "business." To want to morph it into something more is unsound and foolish.
The Pilot actually was once a locally owned "community newspaper" that provided a vital role in the community: to report the local news honestly and deal with local issues openly and thoroughly. But the newspaper was purchased by an outside group that bought the publication not for what it was but for what they thought it could be: a profitable business. And, the ownership group set out on a course that brought with it so many conflicts of interests, compromising the paper in the process. Now, the realization has set in. The Pilot is not a money-maker. It needs to get back to its roots. But, hopefully, under new ownership. . . .
Methinks Mr. May needs a better hobby in his sunset years. The TEA party is no more. The remnants just look like a bunch of tired, old, ill-tempered seniors who sit back and collect their Social Security benefits and their Medicare benefits and private, government, or military pensions. They abhore entitlements, yet they reap those benefits.
Here's an idea: hire a competent, experienced town-management professional with a proven record of continuous improvement in a similar role, rather than waste taxpayer $ on trying to rework what is in place. Sometimes a little house cleaning is in order.
Members of the Planning Board: Michael G. Martin (Chairman); Gerard Ridzon (Vice Chairman); Dr. Elizabeth Lyerly; William Ross; Wanda Little; James P. Curlee; John McLaughlin. Be sure to congratulate these individuals on their wise decisions and for serving the best interests of their community. Also thank the Town Council for their stewardship per the commercial development along Morganton Road, Route 1, and 15-501. On the bright side, there is now only so much "developable" land left in Southern Pines. On the dark side, you will no longer recognize your community in ten years.
Dear writer, please note that this is not a parking deck but a $2,800,000.00 "Carriage House" and is primarily for the Pinehurst Resort's use, as Paul Dunn pointed out in a previous column in The Pilot. Only some 34 parking spaces will actually be available to residents and non-resort visitors. Surely the village has a need for 34 extra spaces, at a cost of $82352.94 each. No?
The Pilot's "publisher" is a member of the board of the county's economic development entity: Partners in Progress, as is Mayor McNeill. The Pilot LLC is not a local company but it majority owned by individuals who more than 50 miles from the newspaper operations in Southern Pines, although the paper is printed in Raleigh. Make no mistake, there is an inherent conflict with this "community newpaper," which was purchased by non-locals who have great expectations for profiteering that counts on area growth. Sam Ragan would be very disappointment in what has become of his paper. His fear has become reality. Congrats Woronoff.
Commercial development on Rt1, 15-501, and Morganton Rd. will lead NC DOT to create a bypass through horse country east of this mess. That is inevitable per the path that the Town Council is taking. Congrats gentlemen. Partners in Progress?
"Robert Hayter, a Pinehurst land planner who chairs the Moore County Planning Board, suggested using incentives to speed up redevelopment. . . ." Heck no. Using public funds (tax incentives) to attract new business would be a horrible idea, especially when there is no market for these national brand retailers and food franchises. Instead, Mr. Hayter, how about setting aside some funds to ensure our area retains its charm and character amidst all this greedy development? Southern Pines is being consumed by a Town Council that seems dedicated to accommodating any and all commercial development. This is not reversible folks. Remember all this nonsense come election time.
Ledo's. Ragazzi's. Sagebrush. Franchises of national chains. All failed. Go ahead and try to lure more of the same sort, chasing a share of a market that is already overrun with fast food peddlers. . “I have confidence that something nice is going to go in," says one of the braintrust. Right. Something real nice will go in ... and then go out.
TF121 2 weeks, 4 days ago
The Pilot Announces Changes to Paper, Website
Good to see the emergence of the Sandhills Tribune and this new venture, We are the Pines. Competition is needed, in this case perhaps to pressure all news vehicles serving the local market to deal with issues openly and honestly, no matter whose toes get stepped on. The management/ownership behind any of these players need to distance themselves from the local movers and shakers, not try to become one, as was the trap Mr. Woronoff seems to have fallen in. A community newspaper is a break-even "business." To want to morph it into something more is unsound and foolish.
TF121 2 weeks, 5 days ago
The Pilot Announces Changes to Paper, Website
The Pilot actually was once a locally owned "community newspaper" that provided a vital role in the community: to report the local news honestly and deal with local issues openly and thoroughly. But the newspaper was purchased by an outside group that bought the publication not for what it was but for what they thought it could be: a profitable business. And, the ownership group set out on a course that brought with it so many conflicts of interests, compromising the paper in the process. Now, the realization has set in. The Pilot is not a money-maker. It needs to get back to its roots. But, hopefully, under new ownership. . . .
TF121 3 weeks, 3 days ago
It's the Wrong Course
Methinks Mr. May needs a better hobby in his sunset years. The TEA party is no more. The remnants just look like a bunch of tired, old, ill-tempered seniors who sit back and collect their Social Security benefits and their Medicare benefits and private, government, or military pensions. They abhore entitlements, yet they reap those benefits.
TF121 3 weeks, 5 days ago
Village Assesses 2014 Priorities
Here's an idea: hire a competent, experienced town-management professional with a proven record of continuous improvement in a similar role, rather than waste taxpayer $ on trying to rework what is in place. Sometimes a little house cleaning is in order.
TF121 1 month ago
Southern Pines Planning Board Recommends Development on Morganton
Members of the Planning Board: Michael G. Martin (Chairman); Gerard Ridzon (Vice Chairman); Dr. Elizabeth Lyerly; William Ross; Wanda Little; James P. Curlee; John McLaughlin. Be sure to congratulate these individuals on their wise decisions and for serving the best interests of their community. Also thank the Town Council for their stewardship per the commercial development along Morganton Road, Route 1, and 15-501. On the bright side, there is now only so much "developable" land left in Southern Pines. On the dark side, you will no longer recognize your community in ten years.
TF121 1 month ago
Waste of Space
Dear writer, please note that this is not a parking deck but a $2,800,000.00 "Carriage House" and is primarily for the Pinehurst Resort's use, as Paul Dunn pointed out in a previous column in The Pilot. Only some 34 parking spaces will actually be available to residents and non-resort visitors. Surely the village has a need for 34 extra spaces, at a cost of $82352.94 each. No?
TF121 1 month ago
Forlorn For Long?: Stretch of Ghostly U.S. 1 Might Be Ready for Revival
The Pilot's "publisher" is a member of the board of the county's economic development entity: Partners in Progress, as is Mayor McNeill. The Pilot LLC is not a local company but it majority owned by individuals who more than 50 miles from the newspaper operations in Southern Pines, although the paper is printed in Raleigh. Make no mistake, there is an inherent conflict with this "community newpaper," which was purchased by non-locals who have great expectations for profiteering that counts on area growth. Sam Ragan would be very disappointment in what has become of his paper. His fear has become reality. Congrats Woronoff.
TF121 1 month ago
Forlorn For Long?: Stretch of Ghostly U.S. 1 Might Be Ready for Revival
Commercial development on Rt1, 15-501, and Morganton Rd. will lead NC DOT to create a bypass through horse country east of this mess. That is inevitable per the path that the Town Council is taking. Congrats gentlemen. Partners in Progress?
TF121 1 month ago
Forlorn For Long?: Stretch of Ghostly U.S. 1 Might Be Ready for Revival
"Robert Hayter, a Pinehurst land planner who chairs the Moore County Planning Board, suggested using incentives to speed up redevelopment. . . ." Heck no. Using public funds (tax incentives) to attract new business would be a horrible idea, especially when there is no market for these national brand retailers and food franchises. Instead, Mr. Hayter, how about setting aside some funds to ensure our area retains its charm and character amidst all this greedy development? Southern Pines is being consumed by a Town Council that seems dedicated to accommodating any and all commercial development. This is not reversible folks. Remember all this nonsense come election time.
TF121 1 month ago
Forlorn For Long?: Stretch of Ghostly U.S. 1 Might Be Ready for Revival
Ledo's. Ragazzi's. Sagebrush. Franchises of national chains. All failed. Go ahead and try to lure more of the same sort, chasing a share of a market that is already overrun with fast food peddlers. . “I have confidence that something nice is going to go in," says one of the braintrust. Right. Something real nice will go in ... and then go out.