another editorial about concession stand...

[Steve Morlino, LEED AP]

Tri-Town News Editorial June 29th, 2006


Baseball league has some explaining to do

Controversy surrounding the construction of a concession stand and meeting space for the North Howell Little League has erupted in Howell over the past two weeks.

At the heart of the issue is a building that is rising at the North Howell Little League fields on Okerson Road.

In 2004, the Township Coun-cil approved the construction of the league's concession stand and offices and agreed to buy the building from the league for $150,000 when it was built.

Much of the work and materials was expected to be provided by volunteers and/or donations. The building was expected to be about 2,700 square feet.

That reasonable plan to provide a desired facility is now in shambles, and the building is only partially finished.

Representatives of the North Howell Little League recently told the council that in a worst case scenario the cost of the building could reach $410,000 - and they have asked township officials to consider providing the $260,000 difference in what was originally budgeted with what is now possible.

Under no circumstances should the council consider spending $410,000 for a concession stand at a Little League baseball field. To do so at a time when residents are trying to pinch every dollar they earn just to pay their property taxes would be the height of fiscal irresponsibility.

We are certain the mayor and council members understand that. They have not given any indication that they will accede to the request to provide as much as $260,000 more than what was already a generous contribution.

The baseball league representative's claim that the completed Taj Mahal of all concession stands would be worth $600,000 to $700,000 for the township makes no sense. This white elephant would not be a building that produces local tax revenue. It's a hot dog stand at a youth baseball complex. Where is the value to Howell's 50,000 residents in that?

There are many questions that must be answered before this project goes forward and the first one is how a 2,700-square-foot building became a 4,000-square-foot building. To date, no one has addressed that issue.[/b]

In a perfect world, the North Howell Little League's revenues would pay for the expense of building a desired facility. How-ever, this is far from a perfect world and Howell residents should not have a problem with the municipality offering some level of financial assistance to a private sports organization. But residents will not tolerate a $150,000 payment skyrocketing to a request for up to $400,000.

More information is needed as to how this situation got so out of control.

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

A monument to stupidity in a location that most of Howell's residents will never even ride past.

Come to think of it, most of the North Howell Little League kids will never see the second floor of this building and probably not the storage room either. The kids will be (or should be) out on the field playing, and their parents cheering them from the bleachers. They might see a toilet stall or the counter of the refreshment stand, but the rest of this glorious building will be a waste that taxpayers will pay for many years to come.

The new NHLL poohbahs claim that the state and town mandates much of what they need to build and that's why the cost is so much higher. This wouldn't be the case if they didn't increase the size of the building in the first place! The larger size and the additional uses for the building are the reason that a larger septic system and more toilets had to be installed and the reason the costs escalated.

I also question the statement that Howell needs a building we can be proud of. In other words, a monument, located in an industrial section on an obscure border of Howell where it's hard to find a time when all the fields are in use. If Howell needs a building to take pride in why not the reservoir and it's great facilities? They are in the middle of Howell and the taxpayers don't have to pay for them.

This is a case of unqualified "volunteers" running amok and taking on tasks they are not remotely qualified to do. I know I'll be accused of picking on all volunteers but this is the kind of abuse that I dread. Two guys protected under the banner of volunteerism running up a huge debt for taxpayers!

Remember that the township has to borrow the money with interest to pay for this. It's called a bond. Remember that there is no revenue coming in to pay off that bond except what can be squeezed out of the taxpayers.

This isn't Howell's ONLY ball field, and the parents of North Howell Little Leaguers need to be aware of that. This isn't a facility that all of Howell's kids -- or even most of them -- will ever use. Just one of many Howell sports fields.

The North Howell Little League had the plans redrawn, put in a costly septic system (yes, it's already there, Burgess.) made the building larger and ONLY THEN came to the town for more money knowing the mayor and council wouldn't want to leave this eyesore sitting in the open.

That's a bit like blackmail and I hope the town management hangs tough.

It would be cheaper to take the second story off, finish a part of the interior, and only give NHLL the $150,000 originally planned. (Frankly, I don't care if a resident took it upon himself to front the NHLL $100,000. Maybe he bought the Brooklyn Bridge too. That's not our problem.)

[George_Krebs]

I just received my copy of the Howell Times and the front page story is, once again, the "multiuse facility" being built at NHLL.  

I was taken aback at the headline" DiBella and Little League Call Foul on Naysayers".

First of all, I'd like to question the term "multiuse facility". The original plans called for a concession stand, storage facility and restrooms at a size of roughly 2750 square feet and at a guaranteed price of $150,000. I was at the meeting where those plans were presented in late 2004 by the league administrators at the time. These plans were not a secret. Shortly there after the NHLL held an election and a new board was elected. This new board signed a contract with the town in June of 2005 ( six months or so later ) to do the building at the original cost and design. An ordinance was passed in addition to the signed contract.

In the article the name "North Howell Youth Sports Federation" is used. The correct name is "North Howell Youth Sports Assocaition" and I make this point  to differentiate the Howell Sports Federation(HSF) which is not connected to NHLL in any capacity.

I take offense to the notion that "naysayers", of which I am one as are the eleven sports leagues in the HSF, should come forward an apologize to the league for questioning this additional funding. At a time when we are eliminating departments, laying off employees, cutting municipal services and facing significant tax increases , to question such an expenditure is a duty, not a insult.

The HSF has no quarrel with NHLL getting a building. They need one; they have operated out of a ramshackle trailer for years and, in my opinion, port-o-johns are an expensive and unsaniatry solution. Our objection is to the significant increase in size and expense of the original building that appears to have occured sometime between the June 2005 and the present. The HSF was told in 2004 that all future buildingsfor recreational sites were going to be of a "cookie-cutter" design patterned after the building at Deerwood Park. Two leagues operate out of the building just fine with a total player enrollment of 800-900.

The HSF member leagues object to this additional funding first and foremost as taxpayers and secondly on the grounds of fairness to all. The questions we have include: Why did the size of the building have to increase when the other leagues are making do with much smaller or no building whatsoever? Was the township notified of the new plans and when? Why was a contarct signed in June 2005 when they "knew early on that the original plans and financial planning was severely miscalculated"?

At a time when funding for projects is scarce and the cost of living in Howell is rapidly reaching the point of no return we feel that these questions are legitimate. Finish the building to serve its original purpose of snack stand, bathrooms and storage. Put everything else on hold until a new funding plan  can be worked out that does not include any more burden on taxpayers. That's fair solution and equitable to anything any other sports league has received to date. What could be wrong with that?

[Sue_Veitengruber]

Well said, George!

[Ray_Spengler]

We keep dragging you back in Enforcer because you have A LOT OF COMMON SENSE!

[Sue_Veitengruber]

So Handleman writes an "editorial story" in the APP on the concession stand --- one that he was "assigned" to write! Handelman who can't even cover half the great sports stories coming out of the area's high schools. I'll never forget how he panned CBA's first swim team and then would not even acknowledge their Shore Conference win that season, or the fact that they have never lost a Shore Conference swim team championship. Handleman's coverage of the area's high schools is less than even handed. He has high schools he likes and others that he does not, and it shows in his "reporting". Now he is an expert on Howell Little League.

Does Handleman live in Howell?  For that matter do all the NHLL mouthpieces who are telling the town how to spend the taxpayers money live in Howell Township? Handleman works for Gannet papers which is controlled by George Norcross who controls Commerce Bankcorp and guess who works for Commerce who is also a little league coach? Gee that was an easy connect the dots. The mayor is well known for calling reporters, editors and publishers out when unfavorable press appears.

The message that Handleman sends is that is okay to ignore a signed contract with the Township and build/spend anything you want even if the cost is 150% more than the SIGNED CONTRACT stipulated. Handelman's message says it is okay to ignore every law in the state --- the ends justifies the means. Handleman thinks it was okay for NHLL  to ignore the contract then ask the Township to bail them out. I wonder what else Handleman would extend this to ------?  Maybe all those developer agreements? Handleman the self appointed czar of spending in Howell Township would probably say, "Yes we agreed to build only 500 homes, but found it would be better to build 600! Yes, we accepted a grant to pave Road A, but decided to pave Road B instead. Yes, we know the law says you can't overexpend a budget, but we thought it was abetter to spend money on things we did not budget for --- and Handleman would say BAIL THEM OUT!"

What does this fiasco do to the other sports leagues in Howell who have waited patiently for their "turn at bat" when it comes to facilities? Will the girls's softball project have to be curtailed to provide funds for the NHLL debacle?  Why is one league put through torturous negotiations for basic facilities while another league is given free reign to overexpend their budget and ignore a signed agreement?

Dunshee's "just bond it" cry is poor financial advice, especially for a FINANCIAL CONSULTANT.  On the NHLL website the music to the webcast of the building of the "concession stand" has lyrics stating that, "I want Ten Cadillacs, a diamond mill, ten suits of clothes to dress to kill, a ten room house, and fifty chicks not over twenty-two,a street that's paved with natural pearls a wagon load of bonds and stocks then open up the door at Fort Knox" ---- Well most people in Howell don't think that way. And Howell Township is NOT Fort Knox! The NHLL had $157,000 in revenues last year and netted a $30,000+ profit. The Township should not bond for the excess expenditures. NHLL is capable of borrowing the money itself. The fact that NHLL is now "promising" to pay the debt service should be viewed in the light of their broken contract for the building with the town. Why would anyone beileve anything Raccuglia and Dunshee had to say? What's to say that NHLL has a bad year and "can't make the debt service payment. What is Howell Township going to do? Repossess a building that the Township will already own?  What's to keep NHLL from saying to the Township that should not have to pay debt service on a building that the Township owns?

On NHLL website they cite that they have 244 players. One of the reasons given by the present administration for disbanding Howell Youth and Family Services was the small percentage of people in Howell who availed themselves of the service.  SO why is the Township Council even considering another $260,000 for NHLL. Pay the $150,000 after all the proper receipts have been presented and the building has a c.o. and it has been turned over to the Township. Let NHLL raise the cost overruns themselves.  We spent a great deal of time raising money for Pop Warner, Howell Central LL  and Farmingdale Howell Soccer when our kids were young. None of these leagues ever looked to the Township to bail them out.  Heck, I can remember people complaining when the Township Committee decided to light their own fields even though we charged the groups  for use of the lights. And when the Township Committee put scoreboards up on our own fields some people weren't happy either, but those actions were the right thing to do and were properly budgeted and stayed within those budgets.

The Township has always been supportive of youth sports, but never has it been asked for a financial bail out by any league.  I can just imagine what the fiscal policies of the Township will be if Raccuglia gets elected to the Howell Council. Raccuglia is the co-chair of NHLL's capital improvements committee and his disregard for the taxpayers pocketbooks in this situtation should serve as a warning as to how he would spend the taxpayers money if elected.

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

"On NHLL website they cite that they have 244 players."

Wait a minute, Sue. Didn't Raccuglia state in the APP article that they had over 500 members? Another problem with math or just a lie?

I'm concerned that Bob Walsh might give in to their demands because he is truly concerned with kids. I hope that he hangs tough on this matter. This is not the time to give in to blackmail. There is more than meets the eye to this story.  

My recommendation to the NHLL (if anyone cares) is to ask Kevin Dunshee, and Mauro Raccuglia to resign immediately, continue using the concession trailer and porta-potties for the remainder of the season, and get busy fund raising over the winter so they can restore the building to it's original, approved plans.

A little humility from the NHLL poohbahs, an apology to the taxpayers for even assuming we can afford to bail them out, and maybe the town will let them keep the field. Since the huge septic system is already in, a road paved to the building, and the blocks up perhaps the town can finish the building as a town hall annex.

Let those 244 kids play at one of the school fields or another Little League field. The NHLL has proven that it cannot be trusted to run anything.

[Jim_Burgess]

Everyone is attacking everyone on this issue, but as far as i have heard at meetings. Bob Walsh is the only one who has said that this building has to be completed. I'm not argueing with him nor oppossing his viewpoint. I am hjust curious why everyone is attacking other members of the council who have not voiced their opinion other tahn to say it has to be looked into  are not saying anything about Councilman Walsh's statement.

[Ray_Spengler]

Everyone is attacking everyone on this issue, but as far as i have heard at meetings. Bob Walsh is the only one who has said that this building has to be completed. I'm not argueing with him nor oppossing his viewpoint. I am hjust curious why everyone is attacking other members of the council who have not voiced their opinion other tahn to say it has to be looked into  are not saying anything about Councilman Walsh's statement.

Maybe its the same reason you think everyone in this forum has it in for the mayor.

[Sharon Carpenter Migliaccio]

Everyone is attacking everyone on this issue, but as far as i have heard at meetings. Bob Walsh is the only one who has said that this building has to be completed. I'm not argueing with him nor oppossing his viewpoint. I am hjust curious why everyone is attacking other members of the council who have not voiced their opinion other tahn to say it has to be looked into  are not saying anything about Councilman Walsh's statement.

I'm missing it.

Where is everyone attacking everyone else?  Where is anyone attacking the council?

The building should be completed, sans second floor, air conditioning and whatever else is unnecessary.

And, what George said!

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

Jim, I'm sure Bob Walsh said that this building has to be completed but he didn't say that the taxpayers should kick in to do it.

I attacked the mayor on this because he is a coach at the NHLL and also the mayor of this town. I still do not understand how a huge septic system went in, a road was paved, and a huge two story building appear in front of his eyes without him saying "Wait a minute... This isn't what the town agreed to."

It's even more suspect when the person in charge of this irresponsible escalation of a project is also a member of the same "social club" as the mayor and running for a seat on the council with the mayor.

Surely they know each other and talk about politics and Little League.

[Sue_Veitengruber]

Everyone is attacking everyone on this issue

REALLY? Who has attacked you? Who has attacked Sharon, Ginger, Ray George, BOb? Who , etc.,etc.,etc.? WHO? Maybe you have just inhaled too many fumes from the charcoal lighter at your barbecue!

I know it must be  very upsetting to have your heroes not look good, especially your newest, Mauro Raccuglia. Gee, first the petition fiasco, now the 150% cost overrun debacle. What's next?

[Ginger_Hoffmeier]

Sue, please don't use the word "heroes" and "Mauro Raccuglia" in the same paragraph. We might see it printed as an out of context quote in the campaign literature.

[Jim_Burgess]

Sue,

You have me all wrong, You Are My Hero

[George_Krebs]

This will serve as a partial retraction to my post earlier in this topic. I made the following statement:

"The original plans called for a concession stand, storage facility and restrooms at a size of roughly 2750 square feet and at a guaranteed price of $150,000. I was at the meeting where those plans were presented in late 2004 by the league administrators at the time. These plans were not a secret. Shortly there after the NHLL held an election and a new board was elected. This new board signed a contract with the town in June of 2005 ( six months or so later ) to do the building at the original cost and design. An ordinance was passed in addition to the signed contract. "

There is a factual mistake in my statement. There was, in fact, no reference to the exact measurement of 2,750 sf. in  the signed agreement. The $150,000 cost was specified. I apologize for any confusion this may have caused.