Madeline,
The residents of Wedgefield need to pay attention to what is going on in terms of the golf course and be prepared for the knock on the door.
Gary Roberts, Realtor, Wyndell Peacock, Sam Tanner, and Butch Williams, residents and Board Members, Bob Garrison and Jacky Walton met with Brian Tucker of Georgetown County last week to discuss the county purchase of Wedgefield's golf course and amenities. Bob Garrison claims the board has absolutely no involvement in this deal, opinion, or say, (if you really believe this). He fails to recognize that most residents understand that it was Adam Anderson who had a letter published in the Georgetown Times pleading with them to purchase the course, getting the ball rolling. Bob reported that talks are in preliminary stage and basically the issue is going to be "how the county can legally enforce a $500 fee on residents."
This is how it's all going to come down folks.
Bob Garrison composed a petition that the above mentioned residents plan to take door to door to get you to sign. (Glad your not involved Bob)
Bob claims the petition is not to get residents to agree to the sale and imposed $500 fee but to agree to the "concept" of the county owning the course.
The above named residents will use talking points to get you to sign because the county needs a certain percentage of us on board to move forward to the next step, deciding how they will impose the tax or fee and then getting you to agree to pay by voting on a referendum. What this percentage is?.... is unclear as Bob stated they want more than 51%, (typical dodge response). The above named residents will aggressively pursue your signature. They seem to be part of the driving force behind this deal. They plan to tell you that housing values will increase if the county purchases and operates the golf course among other things. It's their side of the story folks, (it's their horse in the race).
The details of the sale has not been determined. You may be paying a $500 a year fee or tax, but it could be more. How many years residents are on the hook for this fee is unclear. How they will secure our privacy and secure our neighborhoods is not even in the equation at this point. How they will utilize the grounds and Manor house is a million dollar question. All other details are up in the air. The only focus at this point is to get your signature. Would you sign a blank check? Will you agree to a "concept" that is not well defined and a big question mark at this time?
Not all residents will be surveyed. There are approximately 23 properties on the golf course that are not part of the HOA. Absentee homeowners will not be surveyed. The board doesn't want to waste money on paper, printing, and stamps to pursue these folks. Even though they will receive the imposed tax, their opinions and signatures are not important to the board. And if you are not approached about the survey... for some reason you were not included. This is not an accurate survey folks, it's selective and subjective and it's being conducted by the very people behind this deal. This may be on purpose.
Stay tuned folks..... and be alert. Your privacy, security, and the future of Wedgefield is at stake. Remember how many owners try to make a go of this golf course and were unsuccessful. Where are we if this course fails under the county? Oh what will they do with this land? It's a gamble on a very questionable and possibly shaky future. Good luck with your decision.
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