Please help stop the sale of this course!!

[blink3665]

I received this email this weekend. This is one of the local munis that I play on a regular basis. It is one of my favorites due to location and cost. (I also shot my best score there :)) I just played there last week and had NO idea that this was taking place. I'm sure there are many other golfers that use that course that don't know this is going on.

 

I know that Everett, Washington is close to Southern Alaska in many of your minds. However, it's home to me.

 

Please help if you can, or forward this information to a Washington golfer that can take action.

 

Thank you.

 

 

 

Puget Sound Golf Association URGENT !

Please help Chuck try to save his course....Action needed May 11, 12 & 13

1....On Monday CALL 425 257 7115 - Everett Mayor Stephanson's office REQUEST he not allow WALTER HALL course to be sold to developers....

 

2....SEND EMAIL to Anne Pogson apogson@everettwa.gov requesting this popular course be continued for golfers to enjoy 55,000 + annual rounds.

 

Thank You. Gene & Diane Slagle - Solarek details (below)

 

 

Gene,

We need some help in Everett. Below is the e-mail I sent out to all our club members. This is simply outrageous!!

I am not sure how you can help other than to pass this on somehow. We need voices at the next meeting to stop this or we will be losing the course.

Thanks!

 

Chuck Solarek

 

THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF!!!!

 

The city of Everett is determined to sell off our golf course, either in whole or in part. At the meeting on Thursday, 8 May, any opposition was politely stifled. Discussion groups were made up after the formal meeting, but, any golfers were separated so that none could be in a group together.

 

It is apparent the city is willing to sell off a public asset in the guise of a city budget issue.

 

Those in attendance were told that each round played at Walter Hall loses money? Conversely, each round played at Legion Memorial MAKES MONEY. How is this possible since both courses are managed by Premier Golf and the city of Everett themselves?

 

There is a second meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 13th, at 5:30 PM at Everett Community College, Conference Center, Wilderness Auditorium.

 

WE NEED VOICES!!! PLEASE MAKE ROOM TO ATTEND OR WE WILL LOSE OUR COURSE AND OUR CLUB!!!

 

I am going to try and change my Mariner tickets for Tuesday to Wednesday so I can be there.

 

I believe we need an attorney for representation since the city is of a mind that they can sell off public assets without constituent approval.

 

I will be contacting local news media to try and get some publicity on the subject. A search on the internet does not give any results for this. The city is trying to steam roll the sale before any one that cares is aware.

 

I am also going to research if a petition can be generated.

 

Walter Hall is reportedly in the top five for most played courses in the state. Some where in the neighborhood of 50-60,000 rounds a year. How does a golf course with that much play lose money unless it is being mismanaged at some level.

 

If anyone is or knows an attorney that can help please pass on my contact info (cell is 206-225-3045).

 

Again, please come to the meeting Tuesday and help save our course!!!!

 

Fairways & greens,

 

 

Chuck Solarek

VP/Tournament

____________________

 

PSGA golfer:

 

This appears to be a case of a municpal overspending & penalizing the golfers for City budgetary problems. Holding 2 meetings on this matter in a period of 5 days (May 8 & 13) does not allow opponents enough time to even investigate the City decision to remove the Walter Hall course. Chuck & other interested golfers need to have a little more time to alert local golfers re: this dire situation.

Your immediate calls & emails will help Chuck Solarek & his Walter Hall club members forestall a quick sale of their beloved Home course!

 

Thank You for making the effort to help them ASAP. (If line is busy keep trying).

 

Gene & Diane Slagle, Directors

Puget Sound Golf Association

(206) 226 5332

[Truman]

If a golf course is the best spend of your tax dollars, it should be saved. What city expenses do you propose be cut instead.

This is likely a future tend as city, county, and state budgets tighten. Is a golf course the best spend of tax payer money? I prefer to see the various govt. entities raise the green fees to at least a break even level; to ward off the need to close them. This would also allow privately owned public course to raise their fees, improving their solvency.

[LansingMI]

Lansing,MI ..... already done to EVERY SINGLE COURSE except one. Some still remain undeveloped.

[ruascott]

Are green fees really low?

[golfortennis]

[quote name='Truman' timestamp='1400025737' post='9289807']
If a golf course is the best spend of your tax dollars, it should be saved. What city expenses do you propose be cut instead.

This is likely a future tend as city, county, and state budgets tighten. Is a golf course the best spend of tax payer money? I prefer to see the various govt. entities raise the green fees to at least a break even level; to ward off the need to close them. This would also allow privately owned public course to raise their fees, improving their solvency.
[/quote]

Not to mention the fact that a city-subsidized business is competing with tax-paying private businesses. That one has always irked me.

[ZMO]

What irks me is the fact that many for profit clubs are given preference over municipal courses. If the citizens of a city get together and decide they'd like a muni course....that's an entirely positive use of taxpayer funds. As for raising rates so that private businesses can stay solvent ...screw that. If they can't compete they should fail.



[quote name='Bluefan75' timestamp='1400093040' post='9295287']
[quote name='Truman' timestamp='1400025737' post='9289807']
If a golf course is the best spend of your tax dollars, it should be saved. What city expenses do you propose be cut instead.

This is likely a future tend as city, county, and state budgets tighten. Is a golf course the best spend of tax payer money? I prefer to see the various govt. entities raise the green fees to at least a break even level; to ward off the need to close them. This would also allow privately owned public course to raise their fees, improving their solvency.
[/quote]

Not to mention the fact that a city-subsidized business is competing with tax-paying private businesses. That one has always irked me.
[/quote]

[teckneeklyperfect]

I used to live in Marysville and played Legion a lot and Walter Hall less, but some. Sad to see it go, it will just make the other courses more crowded. hope you can save it

Who wants the land out there? Boeing?, housing developers? Yuck for that I would guess