The Buzz of Greater Rome www.hometownheadlines.com SPLOST '06: ALREADY A CONTROVERSY? Corrected/item below It looks as if the "100 Acre Would" is back in play as a new SPLOST shopping list comes together. The property in question is about 100 acres at Ga. 140 and Ga. 53 owned by the development authorities. The site was rezoned heavy industrial almost two years ago (hence it would make a decent industrial site) despite an 800-signature petition opposing such a move. Last June, some $3 million of potential SPLOST money was designated for the purchase of the site (including money to run utilities to the area). Voters rejected the entire SPLOST package by a 1,000-vote margin. This time around, the Development Authority of Floyd County is pushing this property and two more chunks on the northeast side of the Ga. 140/53 intersection for industrial use. The cost: $15 million, including property and utility costs. That's how much an earlier SPLOST raised for State Mutual Stadium. The development authority's request must first be reviewed by the new SPLOST citizens review committee. The deadline for submissions is a week from Friday. Upon approval by the committee, the list then goes to local governments and finally onto the ballot (possibly July 18; more than likely Nov. 7). Voters most likely will be asked to approve a three- to five-year extra penny sales tax, perhaps raising $45 million to $60 million or more. First, you can pretty much assume the industrial proposal will be included on the 2006 SPLOST proposal. What comes next will be the hard part: selling the SPLOST package to voters, especially the 140/53 package. Here's why: A. County commissioners are going to be asked to rezone the two new chunks of the would-be industrial zone to heavy industrial. If you thought nearby residents were upset during the 2004 rezoning vote, wait until you see what happens this time. It would be wise to plan a series of community meetings before the commission--and SPLOST--vote. B. Much of the Shannon community already is upset over the new adult movie/novelty store opening in the area. This issue will put some of them over the top. C. Aside from the ongoing school improvement SPLOST, recent tax packages have won by narrow votes. That is, until a year ago when a general-purpose SPLOST (rec center, roads, 100-acre site purchase, etc.) was dead on arrival. D. The key component of the industrial project, the "100 Acre Would," has what politely is known as "history." At one time, Northwest Georgia and other parts of the state were in the hunt for Kronospan Gmbh. The deal was huge: It appeared to be worth between $120 million and $150 million and would create 280 to 650 jobs. The site of choice, at least from this end of the deal: Ga. 140/53. The plant eventually went to Oxford, Ala., where 700 people will find work. The capital investment could top $500 million, according to Alabama records (click ALA). Add that to the rezoning controversy of two years ago and failed SPLOST package in 2005 and you have a site with a reputation. But here we go again. The push for the 2006 industrial package publicly began Wednesday as chamber president Al Hodge addressed those attending Berry College's annual economic summit. Hodge urged the crowd to support the upcoming rezoning and to support the SPLOST. On Thursday, the development authority announced it would submit the application for $15 million in SPLOST funds for the purchase of the three sites and the required utility work. Next came word of a rezoning bid for the two new tracts, hopefully switching them to heavy industrial. Put all this together and you get what politely is called "a challenge." Are voters ready to add another penny to the sales tax? Will they support $15 million for development purposes in addition to what likely will be another $45 million in other SPLOST projects? We'll get our first answers from the SPLOST advisory committee soon. Let the marketing begin. >How to apply for 2006 SPLOST funds> HERE >What qualifies for potential SPLOST spending> HERE >Corrected: Earlier versions of this story said "Greater Hall." It should have read Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce. SEVEN DAYS TO QUALIFYING We're already seeing a few potential candidates withdraw as the qualifying deadline nears for Campaign 2006. What does appear likely: We might not have any local showdowns in the July 18 primary. A well-liked law enforcement veteran apparently has decided to forgo a county commission bid while a downtown business leader appears close to committing.  Also still up in the air: Tom Bennett's decision on a new four-year term. The official qualifying period is next Monday through Friday, April 24-28. Again, what is interesting: No apparent local primary battles, at least at this time. There's a slight potential on the GOP side but we expect that to vanish before it becomes official. Assuming no local primary races are needed, it will be curious to see how votes are courted on key statewide races. Republicans have to decide between Casey Cagle and Ralph Reed for lieutenant governor while Democrats must choose between Cathy Cox and Mark Taylor for governor (and from three candidates for lieutenant governor: Greg Hecht, Griffin Lotson and Jim Martin). Cox and Taylor are due in town Saturday night at the Democrats' Jefferson-Jackson Dinner (FCDP) Neither side apparently can jump to the other party to set up a potentially weaker opponent in the Nov. 7 election. Too much is at stake within their own parties. Democrats have a solid shot at unseating Gov. Sonny Perdue (he's been tagged as one of the governors "at risk" for re-election) while Republicans must decide who to groom when Perdue steps aside--either in 2010 or November. It all begins to unfold next Saturday night and then when qualifying begins April 24. LAST RIDE OR MORE TOUR TO COME? >Click HERE for our 2006 Tour preview Greater Rome has been among the most fortunate communities in the state when it comes to the four-year-old Tour de Georgia. Nothing will match the second year when superstar Lance Armstrong won both the race to Rome and the next stage, the time trial around Mount Alto. But as we prepare for the fourth year of hosting a stage--the Fayetteville leg ends in Rome around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday--there is speculation about whether this might be our last ride with the tour. Put that speculation aside, or at least in neutral gear. Tour organizers know what they have in Rome in terms of community support, a local operating committee that's as efficient as a crack SWAT team and a growing fan base. Even without Armstrong, we still should see 10,000 to 15,000 fans on Wednesday. Our share of the race is half of what it was in 2004 and 2005. The time trial around Mount Alto has been shifted to a Walker County-to-downtown Chattanooga trek. But we retain the finishing segment of the tour's second leg, and that is considerable. Rome has become a cycling destination; we've seen both amateur and professional cycling take off here. We've likewise become a popular destination for sports tourism. The tour's Rome stop is more significant than the other April event, the Steeplechase race, because of the international and national attention it brings to our market. Give it a look this Wednesday afternoon and evening. The world will be watching. THREE-DOT BUZZ >GLADIATORS ON K98: Seven of the Rome Gladiators' home games will be broadcast on K98. Those games include: Saturday's season opener; Thursday, April 27; Wednesday, May 10; Friday, May 19; Saturday, May 20; and Thursday, May 25. K98's switch to a member of Georgia Public Broadcasting is not expected to occur until June> GLADIATORS >A SPORTS BUFFET: This week will be a fun one for local sports enthusiasts. You have the Ford Tour de Georgia on Wednesday; the Rome Braves return Thursday through April 27; the division-leading Rome Renegades play at The Forum on Friday; and the league-champion Gladiators open the season Saturday night. Return to State Mutual Stadium on Sunday for the game and a great traveling baseball "theme park." >NEW LOOK AT DOWNTOWN: The "Sights and Sounds in Downtown Rome: Tour of Homes, Gala & Silent Auction" is set for Saturday and will benefit the Rome Symphony Orchestra> GREAT >RHS PRESENTS 'OKLAHOMA': Rome High School and the Wolf Pack Players present Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!"  Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. in the Rome High School Auditorium> GREAT >BEST OF THE FIRST 30 YEARS OF THE ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL: MB's is the site of the tribute to the Atlanta Film Festival on Saturday. Tickets are $7.50 per person with the doors opening at 5 p.m. > FILM HOMETOWN CHANGES We could be offline a bit this weekend as Hometown Headlines undergoes a few scheduled changes. Our other sites--www.romekids.com, www.romediningguide.com, www.thesalessite.com--will remain active. We'll provide breaking-news e-mails to Hometown subscribers as warranted throughout the weekend, and we'll direct you to a temporary site should those updates require additional coverage.
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