What interests do Chatham County businesses and taxpayers have in the promotion of South Carolina businesses and listings of homes for sale in South Carolina on SEDA websites? I have contacted SEDA, the elected leaders of Chatham County, the City of Savannah and this same newspaper about this matter but in return have heard nothing except that SEDA was awarded more than $123,000.00 in continued funding by Chatham County last week.
Can you imagine my shock when finding SEDA promoting 16 South Carolina based companies in one category of the businesses listed? These 16 SC companies compete for the same jobs our Savannah based company does. 28% of the companies listed in this single category were from South Carolina. Of course our name was listed but it pointed to another website with someone else answering the phone call.
Looking to move out of Chatham County? I found 49 homes for sale in South Carolina. SEDA listed more homes for sale in SC than GA.
When these same pages report on the protections South Carolina has in place to protect South Carolina businesses from competing Georgia companies, when these same pages report the closing of a County health department dental clinic, when these same pages report the low pay offered to City and County peace officers, when people are forced to stand in the hot sun and pouring rain because of the lack of shelter waiting on a late running bus in Chatham County, tell us County Commissioners, what good has come from these promotions of South Carolina businesses and real estate listings you continue to fund?
The mayor of Savannah referred me to the annual report for SEDA to see all of the good SEDA has done for Savannah and it was in the same report that I found a promotional advertisement for SEDA’s South Carolina based accounting firm. I ask the County to explain how they continue to believe this is the best use of these dollars and ask other voters and tax payers the same. I think this new $123,000.00 award to SEDA is another shameful waste of local tax dollars and is money for nothing. I demand an explanation and maintain that this is a ridiculous funding decision that must be reversed.
Congratulations to the creative coast for again succeeding in securing money for nothing. Yes, the Chatham County commissioners are idiots. Yes, the tax payers of Chatham County are fools. You have succeeded at making us all look like fools.
For those still not informed about these matters. This local business operator took exception to the numerous listings for competing SC companies listed on the creative coast website. There were more SC companies listed than legitimate Ga businesses and many times more than Chatham County based businesses on a single page. To view the page please see http://www.savannahchannel.com/seda_promotions/ On this page you can see how your hard earned tax dollars have been utilized. You can witness the free ride enjoyed by SC businesses and real estate companies. Surely we can't forget about the very thankful SC tax commissioner who witnessed your GA tax dollars being used to pump money into the SC economy.
In addition to the large numbers of SC businesses listed, you could also easily find a home in SC to buy as there were many more SC homes for sale than GA homes for sale. In other words it would be easier for you to find a home in SC than in GA on this County/City sponsored website.
Yes, you are all fools. Yes, the coasters are very clever and devious and have proven very well how stupid we all are. Surely no one could do a better job of proving how stupid local tax payers are than the cash rich coasters.
For more information please see http://www.prosavannahbusiness.com
You can see what the main directory of knowledge based businesses looked like in the advertising, marketing and pr section of their page on July 5, 2007. Anyone who runs a media design or marketing communications company in Savannah would be offended. So here you are.
Please note that South Carolina State law requires state agencies to give a 6% preference to SC based companies bidding on contracts over neighboring state contractors bidding for the same job. In other words, a SC company can bid $106,000 and win over a $100,000 bid from a Georgia business.
Bill Dawers has it all wrong. The Creative Coast is no more interested in open dialog or acting as a democratic forum than they are in replanting trees removed to bring Chrysler to Savannah. The coasters record of such notions proves that Dawers is not up to date on recent events. I will do my best to bring Mr. Dawers up to speed and see what he has to say about the coasters next.
The fireworks display was quite impressive this year. I didn't see anyone really get out of hand. I think everyone was well behaved except for all of the litter left behind. There were cups and paper strewn everywhere. The sidewalk, the gutter, the bushes, the monkee grass. As you would expect, the public restrooms behind city hall on river street were locked up tight.
I just recently discovered the best place to hang out besides Starbucks, The Metro, downtown offers a variety of drinks and smoothies at a reasonable price. My ultimate favorite is pineapple bubble tea...YUMMM!!!
when will the city do something about the traffic lights in Savannah? There are huge amounts of wasted energy/fuel burned at the lights that are not timed properly.
