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from http://schhresidents.forumco.com/
"You may have noticed that a house in that area was recently gutted, with all the stucco, sheathing, etc. removed. He (a home inspector) inspected the house. Not a normal inspection, but one seeking to determine whether there is moisture in the walls and whether there is mold growing inside the structure. (The home inspector) uses a FLIR camera (that is Forward Looking Infrared). By use of the camera he can determine the presence of moisture inside the walls and other structures of the house.
(He) found significant moisture problems caused by the incorrect application of the Tyvek sheathing and the stucco lath. Instead of one attachment every 18 inches as called for by the manufacturer, there were attachments every 2” to 3” across the entire surface of the house. This caused the moisture to back up inside the walls and ultimately led to the growth of the mold.
We discussed the stucco application, the problems with the control joints and a separate problem associated with the installation of the hurricane shutter brackets. When the H channel at the top is installed, each bolt that is inserted is supposed to be coated with silicone to prevent water from entering. This was not done in any home that he has inspected to date. Further, the builder put a strip of silicone across the top of the H channel, which causes water to be collected and not drained as planned by the manufacturer of the stucco product.
Pulte, faced with the results of his inspection and the photos taken by his FLIR camera, agreed to fix the house in question. He has since found at least 3 other houses in the area that have similar problems."
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Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
snake oil
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http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/03/25/1185240/senate-moves-bill-that-strips.html
"Jeff Fuqua, president of The Sembler Co., the project's developer, released a statement Thursday hailing the amended version as "a great victory for economic development" in the area.
"While the Senate-passed bill is different from the original bill, it nonetheless gives our company the ability to continue with plans for a high-end shopping mall that not only creates jobs but attracts new tourism dollars and expands the tax base," he said.
Sembler officials previously said the original bill was critical to their plans to build about 1.6 million square feet for national retailers and Italian and American designers at the intersection of U.S. 278 and S.C. 170. They say the project would bring an investment of about $400 million and create as many as 2,500 jobs in a relatively poor, rural region."
Why would ANYONE believe ANYTHING that Sembler says?
First they say that they won't go ahead with the mall uless they get $100+ MILLION in state sales tax incentives. Then, when they don't get it, they call it a VICTORY.
"... a great victory for economic development..."
"... attracts new tourism dollars and expands the tax base..."
"...as many as 2,500 jobs..."
a chicken in EVERY pot.
Snake oil, anyone?
Also, if Senator Pinckney's colleagues in the SC Legislature want to help Senator Pinckney's, AND THEIR OWN, constituents, then they'd focus their efforts on fixing public education in South Carolina. Year after year South Carolina is at the bottom of the nation in public education.
If those having a twelfth grade education in South Carolina compared favorably to those from other states with a twelfth grade education, then they could compete for the high-end mall, and even better, jobs. The SC Legislature knows that a good education is the key to good jobs, NOT public handouts to private developers of shopping malls.
"Leatherman said senators want to help Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland, a leading supporter of the incentives, create jobs for his district."
more snake oil.
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http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/03/25/1185240/senate-moves-bill-that-strips.html
"Jeff Fuqua, president of The Sembler Co., the project's developer, released a statement Thursday hailing the amended version as "a great victory for economic development" in the area.
"While the Senate-passed bill is different from the original bill, it nonetheless gives our company the ability to continue with plans for a high-end shopping mall that not only creates jobs but attracts new tourism dollars and expands the tax base," he said.
Sembler officials previously said the original bill was critical to their plans to build about 1.6 million square feet for national retailers and Italian and American designers at the intersection of U.S. 278 and S.C. 170. They say the project would bring an investment of about $400 million and create as many as 2,500 jobs in a relatively poor, rural region."
Why would ANYONE believe ANYTHING that Sembler says?
First they say that they won't go ahead with the mall uless they get $100+ MILLION in state sales tax incentives. Then, when they don't get it, they call it a VICTORY.
"... a great victory for economic development..."
"... attracts new tourism dollars and expands the tax base..."
"...as many as 2,500 jobs..."
a chicken in EVERY pot.
Snake oil, anyone?
Also, if Senator Pinckney's colleagues in the SC Legislature want to help Senator Pinckney's, AND THEIR OWN, constituents, then they'd focus their efforts on fixing public education in South Carolina. Year after year South Carolina is at the bottom of the nation in public education.
If those having a twelfth grade education in South Carolina compared favorably to those from other states with a twelfth grade education, then they could compete for the high-end mall, and even better, jobs. The SC Legislature knows that a good education is the key to good jobs, NOT public handouts to private developers of shopping malls.
"Leatherman said senators want to help Sen. Clementa Pinckney, D-Ridgeland, a leading supporter of the incentives, create jobs for his district."
more snake oil.
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No-show Pulte
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In January a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall collapsed at the Hills of Rivermist community in San Antonio, Texas.
On Tuesday, March 23, there was a public meeting for residents of the community. The builder, Pulte-Centex, didn’t show.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/88965822.html
“City Councilman Reed Williams said the reason for the no-show had more to do with legalities than politics.
“They are just in a very difficult situation with their legal department over what they can do and where they can go and what they can say,” Williams said.
“That is such a ... lame excuse,” said Mary Moreno, whose daughter lives in Rivermist.”
Mary Moreno is right. It is a LAME excuse.
All Pulte had to say at the beginning of the meeting is: “We know that you all are interested in the replacement wall. We’re here to answer all of your questions about the replacement wall.
We can’t address specific claims that some of you have because:
1. obviously damages are different for each claimant
2. property damage at one property will be different than property damage at your neighbor’s house next door
3. each claim must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis
4. it wouldn’t be fair to take up everyone’s time discussing your claim individually.
Now, what questions do you have about the replacement wall?”
Why else would Pulte refuse to show up for a public meeting on THEIR project? ONLY because that’s their SOP. They try to deal with people one-on-one, and have them sign gag agreements. If folks don’t know what’s going on, then Pulte can limit THEIR damages.
There are MANY feeding at the Pulte-Centex trough, making LAME excuses for them: Pulte-Centex themselves, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, salespersons, real estate agents, and POLITICIANS.
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In January a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall collapsed at the Hills of Rivermist community in San Antonio, Texas.On Tuesday, March 23, there was a public meeting for residents of the community. The builder, Pulte-Centex, didn’t show.
http://www.mysanantonio.com/business/88965822.html
“City Councilman Reed Williams said the reason for the no-show had more to do with legalities than politics.
“They are just in a very difficult situation with their legal department over what they can do and where they can go and what they can say,” Williams said.
“That is such a ... lame excuse,” said Mary Moreno, whose daughter lives in Rivermist.”
Mary Moreno is right. It is a LAME excuse.
All Pulte had to say at the beginning of the meeting is: “We know that you all are interested in the replacement wall. We’re here to answer all of your questions about the replacement wall.
We can’t address specific claims that some of you have because:
1. obviously damages are different for each claimant
2. property damage at one property will be different than property damage at your neighbor’s house next door
3. each claim must be dealt with on a case-by-case basis
4. it wouldn’t be fair to take up everyone’s time discussing your claim individually.
Now, what questions do you have about the replacement wall?”
Why else would Pulte refuse to show up for a public meeting on THEIR project? ONLY because that’s their SOP. They try to deal with people one-on-one, and have them sign gag agreements. If folks don’t know what’s going on, then Pulte can limit THEIR damages.
There are MANY feeding at the Pulte-Centex trough, making LAME excuses for them: Pulte-Centex themselves, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, salespersons, real estate agents, and POLITICIANS.
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Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Sen. Pinckney
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Senator Pinckney, you and your colleagues in the SC Legislature know better.
You know that year after year South Carolina ranks at the bottom of the country in education.
You know that, when asked about your bill to provide in excess of $100 MILLION to shopping mall developer Sembler Company to build a high-end MEGA shopping mall in tiny Hardeeville, that S.C. Department of Education spokesman Jim Foster said, "While you’ve got to acknowledge that economic development is critically important for that area of South Carolina, it obviously would be a concern if several million dollars in K-12 funds were cut. But at this point, that would be like throwing another bucket of water on somebody who’s already drowning because public schools have already taken more than $700 million in cuts over the past 22 months," Foster continued. "The big issue continues to be … this ongoing practice of making piecemeal changes to state tax policy instead of looking at the big picture in any kind of comprehensive way."
How many times have we been at a fast food restaurant, a Walmart, or similar store and encountered a young employee in their twenties who can’t make change, or even communicate in a meaningful way?
You and your colleagues know better. Building a high-end MEGA mall isn’t the answer. The $40K/yr. managerial jobs in the high-end stores that you refer to require people who can read, write, and calculate on a twelfth grade level nationally. Ten years from now WITH the MEGA mall young people who can’t read or write or calculate on a twelfth grade level will STILL be working the low-end jobs that you’re complaining about.
Senator Pinckney, with all due respect, we didn’t send you and your colleagues in the Legislature to Columbia to give tax money to developers. We sent you to Columbia to solve the problem of substandard public education in South Carolina. Adequately educating our young people will bring their prosperity in the future. Handouts to developers will not.
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Senator Pinckney, you and your colleagues in the SC Legislature know better.
You know that year after year South Carolina ranks at the bottom of the country in education.
You know that, when asked about your bill to provide in excess of $100 MILLION to shopping mall developer Sembler Company to build a high-end MEGA shopping mall in tiny Hardeeville, that S.C. Department of Education spokesman Jim Foster said, "While you’ve got to acknowledge that economic development is critically important for that area of South Carolina, it obviously would be a concern if several million dollars in K-12 funds were cut. But at this point, that would be like throwing another bucket of water on somebody who’s already drowning because public schools have already taken more than $700 million in cuts over the past 22 months," Foster continued. "The big issue continues to be … this ongoing practice of making piecemeal changes to state tax policy instead of looking at the big picture in any kind of comprehensive way."
How many times have we been at a fast food restaurant, a Walmart, or similar store and encountered a young employee in their twenties who can’t make change, or even communicate in a meaningful way?
You and your colleagues know better. Building a high-end MEGA mall isn’t the answer. The $40K/yr. managerial jobs in the high-end stores that you refer to require people who can read, write, and calculate on a twelfth grade level nationally. Ten years from now WITH the MEGA mall young people who can’t read or write or calculate on a twelfth grade level will STILL be working the low-end jobs that you’re complaining about.
Senator Pinckney, with all due respect, we didn’t send you and your colleagues in the Legislature to Columbia to give tax money to developers. We sent you to Columbia to solve the problem of substandard public education in South Carolina. Adequately educating our young people will bring their prosperity in the future. Handouts to developers will not.
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Monday, March 22, 2010
Nonsense!
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http://www.realestateproarticles.com/Art/13997/280/Home-Construction-Firm-Pulte-Homes-Corrects-Damage.html
So, we’re supposed to feel sorry for Pulte/Centex? Because they built a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall without a building permit and without engineered plans? and it collapsed.
What about the people who bought in that subdivision (Hills of Rivermist, San Antonio, Texas)? We shouldn’t feel sorry for them? They trusted Pulte/Centex, and the City of San Antonio building inspectors. Because of the retaining wall collapse, they’ve suffered material losses and mental anguish:
- Total disruption of their lives.
- Additional expenses of having your home uprooted and having to operate out of a hotel room miles away.
- Trauma to their children.
- Being left with property in a subdivision with the stigma of a collapsed retaining wall.
- Knowing that it may be next to impossible to sell without taking a huge “hit” financially.
So, we’re supposed to feel sorry for Pulte/Centex because it “…will cost about $4 million to $5 million…” for the replacement wall, and “…Homes at Rivermist were sold at an average of $200,000…” ?
We’re supposed to believe Fortune magazine? JD Power? RealEstateProArticles.com and HomeBuildingNet.com? (“…Last week, Pulte Homes Inc. was lauded by Fortune magazine as among the most admired firms in the world. Two of its home building companies, Centex and Pulte Homes, were among the top 5 firms in the home construction category. Pulte was second in the ranking while Centex, which was acquired by Pulte last year, was ranked fifth.”)
We’re supposed to believe the propaganda of those feeding at the Pulte/Centex trough? and, NOT feel sorry for the homeowners at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio, Texas?
Nonsense!
But, then, consider the sources.
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http://www.realestateproarticles.com/Art/13997/280/Home-Construction-Firm-Pulte-Homes-Corrects-Damage.html
So, we’re supposed to feel sorry for Pulte/Centex? Because they built a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall without a building permit and without engineered plans? and it collapsed.
What about the people who bought in that subdivision (Hills of Rivermist, San Antonio, Texas)? We shouldn’t feel sorry for them? They trusted Pulte/Centex, and the City of San Antonio building inspectors. Because of the retaining wall collapse, they’ve suffered material losses and mental anguish:
- Total disruption of their lives.
- Additional expenses of having your home uprooted and having to operate out of a hotel room miles away.
- Trauma to their children.
- Being left with property in a subdivision with the stigma of a collapsed retaining wall.
- Knowing that it may be next to impossible to sell without taking a huge “hit” financially.
So, we’re supposed to feel sorry for Pulte/Centex because it “…will cost about $4 million to $5 million…” for the replacement wall, and “…Homes at Rivermist were sold at an average of $200,000…” ?
We’re supposed to believe Fortune magazine? JD Power? RealEstateProArticles.com and HomeBuildingNet.com? (“…Last week, Pulte Homes Inc. was lauded by Fortune magazine as among the most admired firms in the world. Two of its home building companies, Centex and Pulte Homes, were among the top 5 firms in the home construction category. Pulte was second in the ranking while Centex, which was acquired by Pulte last year, was ranked fifth.”)
We’re supposed to believe the propaganda of those feeding at the Pulte/Centex trough? and, NOT feel sorry for the homeowners at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio, Texas?
Nonsense!
But, then, consider the sources.
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Sunday, March 21, 2010
Rivermist homeowners
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a note to the homeowners at The Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio, Texas, where a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall collapsed in January:
Pulte/Centex and the City of San Antonio are working out a "fix" to the collapsed retaining wall. This is CLASSIC. The builder and the City work up a solution for the homeowners; BUT, THEY DON'T INVOLVE YOU, THE HOMEOWNERS, IN THE PROCESS.
DEMAND TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
The replacement wall will not look like the collapsed wall. IT COULD BE UGLY.
Besides the fact that your property values have already been lowered by the stigma of a collapsed retaining wall, an UGLY replacement wall will further lower your property values.
SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT.
DEMAND THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND PULTE/CENTEX INCLUDE YOU IN THE SOLUTION.
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a note to the homeowners at The Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio, Texas, where a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH, retaining wall collapsed in January:
Pulte/Centex and the City of San Antonio are working out a "fix" to the collapsed retaining wall. This is CLASSIC. The builder and the City work up a solution for the homeowners; BUT, THEY DON'T INVOLVE YOU, THE HOMEOWNERS, IN THE PROCESS.
DEMAND TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS.
The replacement wall will not look like the collapsed wall. IT COULD BE UGLY.
Besides the fact that your property values have already been lowered by the stigma of a collapsed retaining wall, an UGLY replacement wall will further lower your property values.
SPEAK UP AND SPEAK OUT.
DEMAND THAT THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO AND PULTE/CENTEX INCLUDE YOU IN THE SOLUTION.
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Saturday, March 20, 2010
Okatie SC in 2020
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Actually, it's Tyson's Corner, VA, a location that I'm VERY familiar with, having lived within a mile of it for 30 years.
I remember Tyson's Corner when it looked like Okatie, SC does now. Then THIS happened! The shopping mall spawned high rises. Traffic, more traffic, MORE TRAFFIC--ALL hours, day and night! Noise, more noise, MORE noise. It isn't pretty!
"But, we want MORE stores. We want Gucci.
We want MORE restaurants.
We WANT more, MORE, MORE!"
Be careful what you ask for.
PS Tyson's Corner mall has Gucci's, Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Ave., Neiman Marcus, Morton's, Ruth Chris Steak House, etc.--ALL of the "high end" stores and restaurants. You can get a golf shirt there for only $250 and a steak dinner for upwards from $100 per person. It's only 550 miles up I-95.
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Actually, it's Tyson's Corner, VA, a location that I'm VERY familiar with, having lived within a mile of it for 30 years.
I remember Tyson's Corner when it looked like Okatie, SC does now. Then THIS happened! The shopping mall spawned high rises. Traffic, more traffic, MORE TRAFFIC--ALL hours, day and night! Noise, more noise, MORE noise. It isn't pretty!
"But, we want MORE stores. We want Gucci.
We want MORE restaurants.
We WANT more, MORE, MORE!"
Be careful what you ask for.
PS Tyson's Corner mall has Gucci's, Tiffany's, Saks Fifth Ave., Neiman Marcus, Morton's, Ruth Chris Steak House, etc.--ALL of the "high end" stores and restaurants. You can get a golf shirt there for only $250 and a steak dinner for upwards from $100 per person. It's only 550 miles up I-95.
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Hardeeville sucker punch
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When Sembler company briefed the Beaufort County council on their plans to build a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA shopping mall at one of the busiest intersections in southern Beaufort County, and headwaters of the Okatie estuary, Chairman Wes Newton commented that the Town of Hardeeville had not coordinated the project with Beaufort County, as per normal protocol.
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/02/08/1130678/sembler-foes-fans-pack-beaufort.html
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/02/20/1144495/true-regional-planning-just-not.html
Chairman Newton and Councilman Rick Caporale pointed out that EXTENSIVE highway improvements would be necessary to handle traffic from this HUGE traffic generator at the already gridlocked intersection. He also pointed out that Beaufort County was currently buying property at the site of the proposed MEGA shopping mall in an effort to halt pollution of the already-polluted Okatie estuary. He said that building a MEGA shopping mall at that location would more than nullify Beaufort County’s efforts with the HUGE quantity of additional stormwater that the MEGA shopping mall would discharge into the Okatie.
Hardeeville has about 2,000 residents. Beaufort County has about 200,000 residents. Tiny Hardeeville endorsing a GIGANTIC shopping mall at one of Beaufort County’s busiest intersections, and in the headwaters of the Okatie estuary, where Beaufort County is buying land to protect, is CERTAINLY a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. The need for regional coordination and planning is particularly evident after tiny Hardeeville “sucker-punched” Beaufort County with the Sembler MEGA shopping mall project.
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When Sembler company briefed the Beaufort County council on their plans to build a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA shopping mall at one of the busiest intersections in southern Beaufort County, and headwaters of the Okatie estuary, Chairman Wes Newton commented that the Town of Hardeeville had not coordinated the project with Beaufort County, as per normal protocol.
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/02/08/1130678/sembler-foes-fans-pack-beaufort.html
http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/02/20/1144495/true-regional-planning-just-not.html
Chairman Newton and Councilman Rick Caporale pointed out that EXTENSIVE highway improvements would be necessary to handle traffic from this HUGE traffic generator at the already gridlocked intersection. He also pointed out that Beaufort County was currently buying property at the site of the proposed MEGA shopping mall in an effort to halt pollution of the already-polluted Okatie estuary. He said that building a MEGA shopping mall at that location would more than nullify Beaufort County’s efforts with the HUGE quantity of additional stormwater that the MEGA shopping mall would discharge into the Okatie.
Hardeeville has about 2,000 residents. Beaufort County has about 200,000 residents. Tiny Hardeeville endorsing a GIGANTIC shopping mall at one of Beaufort County’s busiest intersections, and in the headwaters of the Okatie estuary, where Beaufort County is buying land to protect, is CERTAINLY a case of “the tail wagging the dog”. The need for regional coordination and planning is particularly evident after tiny Hardeeville “sucker-punched” Beaufort County with the Sembler MEGA shopping mall project.
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Friday, March 19, 2010
bottom feeders
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“Caveat Emptor” we’re told. “Let the buyer beware.”
Some salespersons and real estate agents are “bottom feeders”, just like shoddy builders. They peddle BAD houses, and they KNOW that they are peddling BAD houses.
Just yesterday I saw an on-line real estate company in Chicago peddling houses at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio. I feel for the folks who own houses there, and who want to get out. Who wants to own a home in a subdivision where a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH retaining wall has collapsed? But, I ALSO feel for the unsuspecting buyers who are being sold damaged goods. Who’s looking out for them?
About six months after we moved to Sun City Hilton Head, SC, I heard that certain local real estate agents won’t touch houses here because of Pulte Homes’ shoddy construction. Where were those few when we were buying? MOST real estate agents here show houses at SCHH, even though they KNOW about the stucco lawsuits, the missing hurricane clips, the leaking roofs, the cracked floors, the shoddily constructed stormwater management lagoons, etc.
Some real estate brokers are BOTTOM FEEDERS, just like their shoddy builder counterparts.
Caveat Emptor--let the buyer beware.
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“Caveat Emptor” we’re told. “Let the buyer beware.”
Some salespersons and real estate agents are “bottom feeders”, just like shoddy builders. They peddle BAD houses, and they KNOW that they are peddling BAD houses.
Just yesterday I saw an on-line real estate company in Chicago peddling houses at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio. I feel for the folks who own houses there, and who want to get out. Who wants to own a home in a subdivision where a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH retaining wall has collapsed? But, I ALSO feel for the unsuspecting buyers who are being sold damaged goods. Who’s looking out for them?
About six months after we moved to Sun City Hilton Head, SC, I heard that certain local real estate agents won’t touch houses here because of Pulte Homes’ shoddy construction. Where were those few when we were buying? MOST real estate agents here show houses at SCHH, even though they KNOW about the stucco lawsuits, the missing hurricane clips, the leaking roofs, the cracked floors, the shoddily constructed stormwater management lagoons, etc.
Some real estate brokers are BOTTOM FEEDERS, just like their shoddy builder counterparts.
Caveat Emptor--let the buyer beware.
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Thursday, March 18, 2010
SC lawmakers
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South Carolina lawmakers don’t get it.
Year after year South Carolina ranks at the bottom of the nation in education. What do South Carolina lawmakers do about it? They debate a bill that would invest upwards from $100 MILLION in tax incentives to a private developer to build a mega shopping mall--tax money that would be siphoned from public schools.
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-17/Sembler_Giveaway_School_Money_to_be_Siphoned.aspx?searchid=83ca9f2a-07cc-4db3-891b-2589b96f8349&nocomments=true
S.C. Department of Education spokesman Jim Foster says, "While you’ve got to acknowledge that economic development is critically important for that area of South Carolina, it obviously would be a concern if several million dollars in K-12 funds were cut."
"But at this point, that would be like throwing another bucket of water on somebody who’s already drowning because public schools have already taken more than $700 million in cuts over the past 22 months," Foster continued. "The big issue continues to be … this ongoing practice of making piecemeal changes to state tax policy instead of looking at the big picture in any kind of comprehensive way."
What is the matter with South Carolina lawmakers? When will they get it? When will they understand that South Carolina’s future doesn’t depend on investing MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars in mega shopping malls; but, it DOES depend on educating South Carolina's children? THEY, not mega shopping malls, are the hope for South Carolina’s future.
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South Carolina lawmakers don’t get it.
Year after year South Carolina ranks at the bottom of the nation in education. What do South Carolina lawmakers do about it? They debate a bill that would invest upwards from $100 MILLION in tax incentives to a private developer to build a mega shopping mall--tax money that would be siphoned from public schools.
http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-17/Sembler_Giveaway_School_Money_to_be_Siphoned.aspx?searchid=83ca9f2a-07cc-4db3-891b-2589b96f8349&nocomments=true
S.C. Department of Education spokesman Jim Foster says, "While you’ve got to acknowledge that economic development is critically important for that area of South Carolina, it obviously would be a concern if several million dollars in K-12 funds were cut."
"But at this point, that would be like throwing another bucket of water on somebody who’s already drowning because public schools have already taken more than $700 million in cuts over the past 22 months," Foster continued. "The big issue continues to be … this ongoing practice of making piecemeal changes to state tax policy instead of looking at the big picture in any kind of comprehensive way."
What is the matter with South Carolina lawmakers? When will they get it? When will they understand that South Carolina’s future doesn’t depend on investing MILLIONS of taxpayer dollars in mega shopping malls; but, it DOES depend on educating South Carolina's children? THEY, not mega shopping malls, are the hope for South Carolina’s future.
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Wednesday, March 17, 2010
my friend's brand new blogsite
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http://my-sun-city-world.blogspot.com/
This is my friend's brand new blogsite.
Please consider becoming a follower of his blogsite and/or posting a comment.
Thanks.
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http://my-sun-city-world.blogspot.com/
This is my friend's brand new blogsite.
Please consider becoming a follower of his blogsite and/or posting a comment.
Thanks.
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Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Sembler & Hardeeville defy logic
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Following are exchanges from http://schhresidents.forumco.com/:
Posted - 03/14/2010 : 1:56:09 PM
According to a recent missive, they looked at 13 sites within a 4 mile radius of Okatie Crossing and found nothing that would work.
According to the report: To create a successful project, they require a site that is sufficiently sized, located on a major roadway with high visibility, located near an existing town or city with large and mulitple residential developments, and the site mush have the proper zoning for this type of development.
Now, it seems strange that they need it near all these residents when they plan on drawing 10 million cars a year from a four state area, but that is the BS they are peddling.
Wes
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 08:09:54 AM
Strange indeed!
BTW, what "recent missive" and what "report"? Sembler's? the same outfit that is telling us that they didn't know that they offered Senator Davis a job? or Hardeeville's?
Do you think that maybe they oughta expand their radius (why did they choose SCHH for the center?) to maybe 10 miles? 15? for a REGIONAL MEGA shopping mall that THEY say will be drawing patrons from MANY states?
They must think that we're ALL stupid. And, maybe they're right.
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 10:50:59 AM
Ray
Why do you believe they have not done as you suggest, when searching for the best location -- accessible to the most shoppers/experience seekers at the best cost structure?
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 2:36:30 PM
Michael,
I don't know. It only makes sense to me that you'd locate a HUGE regional shopping mall like the one being proposed next to I-95. There are malls all around the US that are a LOT smaller than 1.5 MILLION square feet that have access ramps right off interstate highways to get the HUGE amount of traffic in and out of them.
It just doesn't make sense to me that a mall like this would be located 8 MILES off I-95. The highway improvements that'd be needed to the existing interchange at I-95 and US 278, 8 MILES of US 278, to SC 170, and to the existing interchange at US 278 and SC 170 to handle the HUGE amount of traffic expected for a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA mall would be IMMENSE.
Not only does the location of this MEGA mall not make sense to me, the mall itself doesn't make sense to me. I don't see how a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA mall could possibly succeed here. Look at Shelter Cove. I envision either an uncompleted mall, or a mall full of empty stores--a magnet for crime either way.
SOMEBODY knows something that we don't know. Sembler? for sure. Hardeeville? probably. Pinckney? probably. Herbkersman? As to whether or not we'll ever find out what's REALLY going on here, I'm not holding my breath.
Ray
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Following are exchanges from http://schhresidents.forumco.com/:
Posted - 03/14/2010 : 1:56:09 PM
According to a recent missive, they looked at 13 sites within a 4 mile radius of Okatie Crossing and found nothing that would work.
According to the report: To create a successful project, they require a site that is sufficiently sized, located on a major roadway with high visibility, located near an existing town or city with large and mulitple residential developments, and the site mush have the proper zoning for this type of development.
Now, it seems strange that they need it near all these residents when they plan on drawing 10 million cars a year from a four state area, but that is the BS they are peddling.
Wes
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 08:09:54 AM
Strange indeed!
BTW, what "recent missive" and what "report"? Sembler's? the same outfit that is telling us that they didn't know that they offered Senator Davis a job? or Hardeeville's?
Do you think that maybe they oughta expand their radius (why did they choose SCHH for the center?) to maybe 10 miles? 15? for a REGIONAL MEGA shopping mall that THEY say will be drawing patrons from MANY states?
They must think that we're ALL stupid. And, maybe they're right.
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 10:50:59 AM
Ray
Why do you believe they have not done as you suggest, when searching for the best location -- accessible to the most shoppers/experience seekers at the best cost structure?
Posted - 03/15/2010 : 2:36:30 PM
Michael,
I don't know. It only makes sense to me that you'd locate a HUGE regional shopping mall like the one being proposed next to I-95. There are malls all around the US that are a LOT smaller than 1.5 MILLION square feet that have access ramps right off interstate highways to get the HUGE amount of traffic in and out of them.
It just doesn't make sense to me that a mall like this would be located 8 MILES off I-95. The highway improvements that'd be needed to the existing interchange at I-95 and US 278, 8 MILES of US 278, to SC 170, and to the existing interchange at US 278 and SC 170 to handle the HUGE amount of traffic expected for a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA mall would be IMMENSE.
Not only does the location of this MEGA mall not make sense to me, the mall itself doesn't make sense to me. I don't see how a 1.5 MILLION sq. ft. MEGA mall could possibly succeed here. Look at Shelter Cove. I envision either an uncompleted mall, or a mall full of empty stores--a magnet for crime either way.
SOMEBODY knows something that we don't know. Sembler? for sure. Hardeeville? probably. Pinckney? probably. Herbkersman? As to whether or not we'll ever find out what's REALLY going on here, I'm not holding my breath.
Ray
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
dangerous drivers at SCHH
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I took these photos with my cell phone while on my walks. For those familiar with SCHH, the location is between 96 and 98 Stratford Village Way. I walk this route almost every day, sometimes twice a day.
The vehicle that ran off the roadway wiped out a double mailbox on a post and then hit the tree behind it. It ran across the driveway before getting back onto the road.
The vehicle that ran off the roadway wiped out a double mailbox on a post and then hit the tree behind it. It ran across the driveway before getting back onto the road.
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The SAME thing (driver driving off the roadway, wiping out mailboxes) happened on Fenwick Drive within the past couple of months. On that occasion we happened to drive by when the EMS vehicles were there.
During my walks on Stratford Village Way, Colonel Thomas Heyward Drive, Doncaster Lane, and Redtail Drive there have been NUMEROUS times that drivers have come dangerously close to me. There are no sidewalks on these streets, as is the case with most streets at SCHH. I ALWAYS walk at the edge of the roadway facing traffic.
On one occasion a woman actually came back after coming dangerously close to me. She said: "I didn't see you." I was so flabbergasted that I didn't have the presence of mind to say to her: "with vision as poor as yours, you should park your car in your garage and NEVER get behind the wheel again!"
On another occasion a woman actually veered directly TOWARDS me when I was walking on Stratford Village Way. I dove for safety. If I had had a baseball bat, then she would have had a broken windshield.
But, the scariest ones of all are the ones who come dangerously close from BEHIND me. Get the picture here: I'm walking at the edge of the road on the side opposing traffic, and someone comes up from BEHIND me, only feet away. Not only are they driving on the WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, but there aren't any other vehicles on THEIR side of the street, moving or parked, that might cause them to drive over the centerline. These dangerous drivers are REALLY scary!
During the past year we've had MULTIPLE incidents here of drivers driving their cars into lagoons (wet stormwater management ponds).
The problem has grown WORSE in the 5+ years since we've been here. The Community Association, SCHH Security, SCHH Public Safety Committee, Sun City media (Sunsations (the community's slick magazine), SCHH TV, etc.) have done little or nothing to address the problem. Maybe it's because the Community Association's Board of Directors is controlled by Pulte Homes, and the Community Association is busy defending Pulte Homes, instead of addressing community problems.
IMHO, it's only a matter of time before someone is killed here by one of these dangerous drivers. I hope that it isn't me.
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During my walks on Stratford Village Way, Colonel Thomas Heyward Drive, Doncaster Lane, and Redtail Drive there have been NUMEROUS times that drivers have come dangerously close to me. There are no sidewalks on these streets, as is the case with most streets at SCHH. I ALWAYS walk at the edge of the roadway facing traffic.
On one occasion a woman actually came back after coming dangerously close to me. She said: "I didn't see you." I was so flabbergasted that I didn't have the presence of mind to say to her: "with vision as poor as yours, you should park your car in your garage and NEVER get behind the wheel again!"
On another occasion a woman actually veered directly TOWARDS me when I was walking on Stratford Village Way. I dove for safety. If I had had a baseball bat, then she would have had a broken windshield.
But, the scariest ones of all are the ones who come dangerously close from BEHIND me. Get the picture here: I'm walking at the edge of the road on the side opposing traffic, and someone comes up from BEHIND me, only feet away. Not only are they driving on the WRONG SIDE OF THE STREET, but there aren't any other vehicles on THEIR side of the street, moving or parked, that might cause them to drive over the centerline. These dangerous drivers are REALLY scary!
During the past year we've had MULTIPLE incidents here of drivers driving their cars into lagoons (wet stormwater management ponds).
The problem has grown WORSE in the 5+ years since we've been here. The Community Association, SCHH Security, SCHH Public Safety Committee, Sun City media (Sunsations (the community's slick magazine), SCHH TV, etc.) have done little or nothing to address the problem. Maybe it's because the Community Association's Board of Directors is controlled by Pulte Homes, and the Community Association is busy defending Pulte Homes, instead of addressing community problems.
IMHO, it's only a matter of time before someone is killed here by one of these dangerous drivers. I hope that it isn't me.
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Friday, March 12, 2010
Question
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The question that nobody is asking
Amidst all the discussion about the bill before the South Carolina Legislature to give Sembler Company $100+ MILLION in incentives paid for by taxpayers to build a 1.5 MILLION SQ. FT. MEGA shopping mall, nobody is asking:
Why not locate it on I-95 near the intersection with US 17 in Hardeeville?
1. The proposed location is at US 278 and SC 170 at one of the busiest intersections in the area--8 MILES FROM I-95.
Traffic to and from this HUGE traffic generator will permanently gridlock an area that is already gridlocked during peak tourist season.
The question that nobody is asking
Amidst all the discussion about the bill before the South Carolina Legislature to give Sembler Company $100+ MILLION in incentives paid for by taxpayers to build a 1.5 MILLION SQ. FT. MEGA shopping mall, nobody is asking:
Why not locate it on I-95 near the intersection with US 17 in Hardeeville?
1. The proposed location is at US 278 and SC 170 at one of the busiest intersections in the area--8 MILES FROM I-95.
Traffic to and from this HUGE traffic generator will permanently gridlock an area that is already gridlocked during peak tourist season.
2. The proposed location is in the headwaters of the Okatie, an environmentally-sensitive estuary, unique to the South Carolina coast. Stormwater runoff from the mall (even CLEAN stormwater runoff) will mean the END of shrimp, crabs, and oysters in the Okatie. (http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/pub/seascience/bluecrab.html).
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If this mall will be the regional attraction that its proponents say that it will be, then why make patrons coming from all over drive 8 MILES FROM I-95, when it could be located ON I-95 at US 17?
It makes one wonder about the private planners at Sembler and the government planners in Hardeeville.
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Now there's an oxymoron for you:
Hardeeville planners!
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Is it over?
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http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-11/Davis_Sembler_Attorneys_Tried_to_Hire_Me.aspx?searchid=594a003e-c3fa-4def-82e5-c425def0683a&nocomments=true
Note the comments:
"Wow! I must say, that is very gutsy of Senator Davis to stand up like that! We all know this stuff happens in Columbia, but rarely does anyone tell the truth about it. I feel better knowing at least some politicians can't be bought. Great reporting, Nerve! "
M.L. Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:38 PM
"Are we going to hear a response from Sembler? Can they actually deny this type of accusation? I hope this shine's a light on all that is corrupt within government. Good for Sen. Davis with exposing this type of corporate welfare!"
Meg Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:15 PM
Let's hope, for South Carolina's sake, that this bill is DEAD!
If not, just THINK of the message that it sends to citizens of South Carolina, and the nation.
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http://thenerve.org/Comments/10-03-11/Davis_Sembler_Attorneys_Tried_to_Hire_Me.aspx?searchid=594a003e-c3fa-4def-82e5-c425def0683a&nocomments=true
Note the comments:
"Wow! I must say, that is very gutsy of Senator Davis to stand up like that! We all know this stuff happens in Columbia, but rarely does anyone tell the truth about it. I feel better knowing at least some politicians can't be bought. Great reporting, Nerve! "
M.L. Thursday, March 11, 2010 4:38 PM
"Are we going to hear a response from Sembler? Can they actually deny this type of accusation? I hope this shine's a light on all that is corrupt within government. Good for Sen. Davis with exposing this type of corporate welfare!"
Meg Thursday, March 11, 2010 10:15 PM
Let's hope, for South Carolina's sake, that this bill is DEAD!
If not, just THINK of the message that it sends to citizens of South Carolina, and the nation.
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Thursday, March 11, 2010
call to action
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Subject: thank you.... and Sembler follow up
Date: 3/10/2010 6:00:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: Rebecca@scpolicycouncil.com
Reply To:
To: rkoenigsc@aol.com
Ray,
Thanks so much for joining us yesterday… please check out the email below and shoot it to as many people as possible. We’re organizing people to watch politicians – and lawmakers are going to know it. As soon as the debate heats up (tomorrow or Tuesday) we want EVERYONE watching. I’ll be in touch so you, and the rest of your contacts know when to watch. Thanks for all you do.
Show politicians you won’t be ignored -- let them know you are watching! Click on thenerve.org tomorrow and see what they are up to as they debate the major incentives bill S. 1054.
Subject: thank you.... and Sembler follow up
Date: 3/10/2010 6:00:09 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: Rebecca@scpolicycouncil.com
Reply To:
To: rkoenigsc@aol.com
Ray,
Thanks so much for joining us yesterday… please check out the email below and shoot it to as many people as possible. We’re organizing people to watch politicians – and lawmakers are going to know it. As soon as the debate heats up (tomorrow or Tuesday) we want EVERYONE watching. I’ll be in touch so you, and the rest of your contacts know when to watch. Thanks for all you do.
Show politicians you won’t be ignored -- let them know you are watching! Click on thenerve.org tomorrow and see what they are up to as they debate the major incentives bill S. 1054.
- We’ll stream live video – from the Senate floor so that you’ll know what is going on as soon as it happens
- We’ll post page views – so lawmakers are aware that you – and 1,000’s of others are watching them – LIVE.
But don’t stop there.
- Post this message and tomorrow’s link to your Web site or blog.
- Forward this e-mail to everyone in your address book.
- Wear out your Twitter account by tweeting and re-tweeting politicians and your contacts.
We’ll be tweeting and re-tweeting, too, and updating our Facebook page, all the time letting the politicians know that you are watching them.
Depend on us to send an E-mail Alert as soon as the critical discussions begin so you won’t miss a thing. Watch lawmakers react to the facts at
thenerve.org -- it won't be hard to see who's for and against the free market!Sign up here to follow us on Twitter. Become a fan on Facebook. More information on incentive bills:
Sembler Opponents: South Carolina Not for Sale
New Cartoon on the Sembler Incentives from Robert Ariail
Three Steps Toward Transparency: Protecting Taxpayer Investments in S.C.’s Economy
Rebecca Gaetz
Director of Development
South Carolina Policy Council
1323 Pendleton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 779-5022 Ext. 103
Fax: (803) 779-4953
www.scpolicycouncil.com
www.unleashingcapitalismsc.org
www.thenerve.org
Limited Government • Free Enterprise • Individual Liberty
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Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
a message to my friend on Facebook
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Ray Koenig March 8 at 9:27pm
******,
VERY good letter to the editor! The situation in San Antonio is a PERFECT example of the LACK of consumer protection in the homebuilding industry. NO NATIONAL standards. STATE building codes are left to LOCAL governments to enforce.
San Antonio's building department didn't issue a building permit, and doesn't have plans, for a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH retaining wall! How many city inspectors have been at Rivermist since its inception, and how many times? HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF TIMES. And, yet NOT A SINGLE INSPECTOR ON A SINGLE OCCASION checked to see that there was a permit or plans for the retaining wall, or to see that it was being BUILT properly. That's OUTRAGEOUS!
Fortunately no one was killed or injured, but MANY families are suffering needlessly because of Centex's and San Antonio's NEGLIGENCE.
Your situation in San Antonio is NOT unique. Here, Pulte Homes, decided to stop installing hurricane clips on truss connections. We live about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Needless to say, hurricanes are a concern. Beaufort County SC inspectors failed to pick up the problem with the roof truss connections. As a result, more than 2,700 homes had to be reinspected. 668 needed repairs.
Victims of shoddy construction need to make some noise PUBLICLY. If more people wrote letters to the editor, tweeted on twitter.com, posted on Facebook, and started (FREE) blogsites like mine (http://peretired.blogspot.com/) to expose the shoddy construction and the shoddy builders, then maybe things would change.
Builders don't like bad publicity.
Politicians don't like being voted out of office.
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Ray Koenig March 8 at 9:27pm
******,
VERY good letter to the editor! The situation in San Antonio is a PERFECT example of the LACK of consumer protection in the homebuilding industry. NO NATIONAL standards. STATE building codes are left to LOCAL governments to enforce.
San Antonio's building department didn't issue a building permit, and doesn't have plans, for a 1,000 ft. long, 30 FT. HIGH retaining wall! How many city inspectors have been at Rivermist since its inception, and how many times? HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF TIMES. And, yet NOT A SINGLE INSPECTOR ON A SINGLE OCCASION checked to see that there was a permit or plans for the retaining wall, or to see that it was being BUILT properly. That's OUTRAGEOUS!
Fortunately no one was killed or injured, but MANY families are suffering needlessly because of Centex's and San Antonio's NEGLIGENCE.
Your situation in San Antonio is NOT unique. Here, Pulte Homes, decided to stop installing hurricane clips on truss connections. We live about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. Needless to say, hurricanes are a concern. Beaufort County SC inspectors failed to pick up the problem with the roof truss connections. As a result, more than 2,700 homes had to be reinspected. 668 needed repairs.
Victims of shoddy construction need to make some noise PUBLICLY. If more people wrote letters to the editor, tweeted on twitter.com, posted on Facebook, and started (FREE) blogsites like mine (http://peretired.blogspot.com/) to expose the shoddy construction and the shoddy builders, then maybe things would change.
Builders don't like bad publicity.
Politicians don't like being voted out of office.
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Sunday, March 7, 2010
strange noises?
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2011259620_realfoundations07.html
an interesting article from the Seattle Times (thanks, Cheryl).
It's a widespread problem.
Sun City Hilton Head has foundation problems:
Then there's the failure of the 1,000 ft. long, 30 ft. high, retaining wall at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio Texas.
Most homeowners are on their own. it's NOT a good place to be.
What's needed is NATIONAL attention on the whole problem of shoddy house construction.
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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/realestate/2011259620_realfoundations07.html
an interesting article from the Seattle Times (thanks, Cheryl).
It's a widespread problem.
Sun City Hilton Head has foundation problems:
- sinking houses (http://peretired.blogspot.com/2008/11/master-builder-strikes-again.html (they were eventually demolished)
- cracked foundation slabs
- strange noises, etc.
Then there's the failure of the 1,000 ft. long, 30 ft. high, retaining wall at Hills of Rivermist in San Antonio Texas.
Most homeowners are on their own. it's NOT a good place to be.
What's needed is NATIONAL attention on the whole problem of shoddy house construction.
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Tuesday, March 2, 2010
post mortem
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In his column in Bluffton Today yesterday Herbkersman paints a very rosy picture of the outcome of the Phase 5 lagoon fiasco. Here’s mine:
I found the whole situation unsatisfying and frustrating. MANY of the construction problems with the lagoons didn’t get addressed. Why? Largely because of the WORST builder and the WORST state environmental agency (DHEC) that I’ve seen in my 40+ years as an engineer.
Also, because of SCHH’s Property and Grounds Committee. They suggested at one meeting in Beaufort that all that Pulte had to do was to put in a plan amendment to change the depth of the lagoons to 3 feet, instead of the 5 shown on the original plans. The Property and Grounds Committee said that DHEC would have to approve it, and DHEC quickly agreed.
Then there’s the politicians who created DHEC, and then turn a deaf ear to DHEC’s ineffectiveness. But, who are more than willing to make “a little hay” trumpeting their success “dealing with stormwater issues”.
Finally, the overwhelming apathy of MOST of the residents here to the lagoon mess.
One of the members of the Phase 5 lagoon committee said to me during the fiasco that “in the end Pulte is going to do what Pulte is going to do”. IMHO, that’s EXACTLY what happened.
NO thanks to DHEC-OCRM, the SCHH Property and Grounds Committee, MOST of the residents here, and Herbkersman.
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In his column in Bluffton Today yesterday Herbkersman paints a very rosy picture of the outcome of the Phase 5 lagoon fiasco. Here’s mine:
I found the whole situation unsatisfying and frustrating. MANY of the construction problems with the lagoons didn’t get addressed. Why? Largely because of the WORST builder and the WORST state environmental agency (DHEC) that I’ve seen in my 40+ years as an engineer.
Also, because of SCHH’s Property and Grounds Committee. They suggested at one meeting in Beaufort that all that Pulte had to do was to put in a plan amendment to change the depth of the lagoons to 3 feet, instead of the 5 shown on the original plans. The Property and Grounds Committee said that DHEC would have to approve it, and DHEC quickly agreed.
Then there’s the politicians who created DHEC, and then turn a deaf ear to DHEC’s ineffectiveness. But, who are more than willing to make “a little hay” trumpeting their success “dealing with stormwater issues”.
Finally, the overwhelming apathy of MOST of the residents here to the lagoon mess.
One of the members of the Phase 5 lagoon committee said to me during the fiasco that “in the end Pulte is going to do what Pulte is going to do”. IMHO, that’s EXACTLY what happened.
NO thanks to DHEC-OCRM, the SCHH Property and Grounds Committee, MOST of the residents here, and Herbkersman.
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Monday, March 1, 2010
"Polite Persistence"
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In his column in today’s Bluffton Today, "Polite persistence pays off with stormwater fix", Bill Herbkersman, our representative in the State Legislature, takes credit for “20 to 25 hours of phone calls and meetings” over the course of the Phase 5 lagoon fiasco here. I wasn’t aware of that even though I provided MANY hours of technical input into the Phase 5 Lagoon Committee’s efforts. I guess that I should call Rick McCollough at the phone number that Herbkersman gives in his column, and ask Rick what Herbkersman did.
However, I will say this (figuratively) to Herbkersman:
“DHEC-OCRM is, beyond a doubt, the WORST state environmental protection agency that I’ve seen in my 40+ years as an engineer. The State Legislature created the mess called DHEC that is answerable only to you politicians. The State Legislature is the ONLY one that can fix it. It’s your job; it’s your responsibility. Please, PRETTY PLEASE (now isn’t that “polite”?), fix the mess that you created.”
http://npaper-wehaa.com/bluffton-today/2010/03/01/#?article=778652
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In his column in today’s Bluffton Today, "Polite persistence pays off with stormwater fix", Bill Herbkersman, our representative in the State Legislature, takes credit for “20 to 25 hours of phone calls and meetings” over the course of the Phase 5 lagoon fiasco here. I wasn’t aware of that even though I provided MANY hours of technical input into the Phase 5 Lagoon Committee’s efforts. I guess that I should call Rick McCollough at the phone number that Herbkersman gives in his column, and ask Rick what Herbkersman did.
However, I will say this (figuratively) to Herbkersman:
“DHEC-OCRM is, beyond a doubt, the WORST state environmental protection agency that I’ve seen in my 40+ years as an engineer. The State Legislature created the mess called DHEC that is answerable only to you politicians. The State Legislature is the ONLY one that can fix it. It’s your job; it’s your responsibility. Please, PRETTY PLEASE (now isn’t that “polite”?), fix the mess that you created.”
http://npaper-wehaa.com/bluffton-today/2010/03/01/#?article=778652
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SPEAK OUT!
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Edmund Burke said: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Things won't change unless victims of shoddy construction speak up, and SPEAK OUT! Not across the back fence in a private conversation with your neighbor, but PUBLICLY.
Builders, particularly BIG builders, have LOTS of resources! The airwaves are FLOODED with their self-promotion. They have a virtual ARMY of supporters feeding at their troughs: contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, salespersons, real estate agents, consultants, etc. How do YOU fight ALL that "spin"?
Answer: GO PUBLIC! One way is to create your own FREE blogsite, and tell your story PUBLICLY. Another way is to tell your story on one of the MANY internet sites devoted to exposing shoddy construction. Another way is to use Twitter.com, like the builders and those feeding at their troughs do. On Twitter.com create your own "Tweets". "Re-Tweet" the Tweets of victims of shoddy construction. Create our own virtual army! NOW THAT'S "FAIR AND BALANCED"!
Builders don't like negative publicity. It hits them where it hurts--SALES. If you're a victim of shoddy construction, then hit the builder where it hurts. GO PUBLIC!
Eventually, builders may "get it", and stop shoddy construction. Your children, your grandchildren, your friends, and your nation will thank you.
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.
Edmund Burke said: "The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing."
Things won't change unless victims of shoddy construction speak up, and SPEAK OUT! Not across the back fence in a private conversation with your neighbor, but PUBLICLY.
Builders, particularly BIG builders, have LOTS of resources! The airwaves are FLOODED with their self-promotion. They have a virtual ARMY of supporters feeding at their troughs: contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, salespersons, real estate agents, consultants, etc. How do YOU fight ALL that "spin"?
Answer: GO PUBLIC! One way is to create your own FREE blogsite, and tell your story PUBLICLY. Another way is to tell your story on one of the MANY internet sites devoted to exposing shoddy construction. Another way is to use Twitter.com, like the builders and those feeding at their troughs do. On Twitter.com create your own "Tweets". "Re-Tweet" the Tweets of victims of shoddy construction. Create our own virtual army! NOW THAT'S "FAIR AND BALANCED"!
Builders don't like negative publicity. It hits them where it hurts--SALES. If you're a victim of shoddy construction, then hit the builder where it hurts. GO PUBLIC!
Eventually, builders may "get it", and stop shoddy construction. Your children, your grandchildren, your friends, and your nation will thank you.
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