Bud Stevenson: Plagues aplenty in Solano County
By Bud Stevenson | | January 12, 2009 23:00
I've been reading the suggestions for an appropriate slogan for Fairfield. It's been front page news in the Daily Republic, so I thought I'd add my own two cents worth.
I've come up with 'Fairfield Where the Ten Plagues Come to Life.' OK, they're not exactly like those in the Old Testament, which I studied faithfully until I was 13 years old. Most of these, of course, affect much of the country, and are not peculiar to Fairfield and Solano County, but they might give you an idea of just how bad things are.
Plague No. 1 would have to be the projected city deficit, which will only be mitigated by an immediate revival of the economy or an increase in taxes.
The deficit is related closely to Plague No. 2, which is the salary and benefit level agreed to by Fairfield and other cities in the county. Look no further than Vallejo, sinking, or sunk, into bankruptcy because it can't make good on the employee benefits it promised.
Plague No. 3 isn't in the Old Testament, either, but it may as well be. The city, the county and our local school district are handcuffed by something known as a 'PLA,' which stands for Project Labor Agreement. In effect, it means that contractors building public buildings must use union workers. That can run up the cost of a school or county office building as much as 30 percent, and naturally, add to Plague No. 1, the deficit.
Plague No. 4 is the condition of the roads and freeways. Yes, they have done some nice work on eastbound Interstate 80, but work seems to have stopped -- several months ago.
Westbound I-80 is another story. I take it every day home from Vacaville. If Sacramento is even thinking of raising the vehicle license fee, it should include a rebate for tires and front-end alignments for drivers using westbound I-80. There are probably highways in Zambia in better shape.
Closely related is Plague No. 5, the condition of some of the off-ramps from I-80. Take the eastbound West Texas Street exit and it looks like you're headed to a dustbowl town in 1930's Oklahoma.
The Abernathy Road off-ramp isn't much better, but I will admit that crews did a nice job repaving Abernathy Road itself, even fixing the bridge. The work did come too late for my speeding ticket about 10 years ago on Abernathy and having to abandon my car during a New Year's Eve flood a few years ago.
OK, they had a sign that said, 'Road Closed,' but in smaller letters I'm sure it said, 'except for Bud.'
Plague No. 6 is Solano Community College, which is under close inspection by the state. It's an embarrassment to have this sniping among the board members and disagreement about who's in charge. If we knew then what we know now, would we have passed the bond measure for the college? The board is proud of the new buildings but apparently its meetings are like Abbott and Costello movies.
No. 7is the collapse in the automobile business, with 'Auto Row' getting to be more like Death Row at San Quentin, as dealer after dealer closes doors.
I wonder what has happened to the rumors that Mercedes was coming to town. As dealers disappear, so does the sale tax so badly needed by the city.
That's related to Plague No. 8, the generally dismal retail environment, which is further hurting the city's revenue situation.
I reluctantly say that Plague No. 9 is the outcome for many students between the time they enter and the time they leave our public schools.
Some great graduates, but too many dropouts and uninspired students from a system that must still be called mediocre.
The last plague is the perception, even if not the fact, that many parts of Fairfield are dangerous places to be at night. The police work on the problem, as do the City Council and the mall managers, but that feeling is still out there.
Bud Stevenson, a stockbroker, lives in Fairfield. Reach him at Bsteven254@aol.com or visit his blog at www.dailyrepublic.typepad.com/mrniceguy.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Nut Tree merchants 'wait and see'
Nut Tree merchants 'wait and see'
By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com
Posted: 01/15/2009 06:59:45 AM PST
Merchants near and around the now-closed Nut Tree Family Park generally are unsure how its closure would affect their businesses but remain hopeful that their bottom lines will remain black in the short term.
"We're taking a wait-and-see attitude," Jim Hester, manager of Fentons Creamery, the popular ice cream shop and restaurant two doors down from the park entrance, said Wednesday. "Sales have been down generally but we're holding on right now. We're moving forward."
He said the park closure, announced Tuesday, came on the heels of rumors and speculation that it was in financial straits due to a drop-off in admissions -- and just before he had planned to issue a survey of customers.
Hester said foot traffic into his store was greatest on weekends, drawn in part by the park, which featured a historical miniature train, a small roller coaster, a carousel, park benches and bucolic grounds, including a reflecting pool, landscaping and a few shade trees. It is also home to the historic Harbison House, a Vacaville landmark owned by the Vacaville Museum and the last remaining architectural structure from the original Nut Tree business.
Having the family park open on weekends "did have some effect (on business), but it's hard to determine," said Hester. "I don't know if we'll live or die by the park. We have a quality product and quality managers."
He and nearly all the merchants -- and a few shoppers -- who were interviewed cited park managers' decision to charge admission as a possible reason for a noticeable decrease in park use and its eventual closing.
"I think it will impact business but I just don't know how significantly," said Carlos Villasenor, manager of Villa Corona, a Mexican restaurant just a short walk from the park entrance.
Like Hester, he said weekend business was brisk, especially during lunch.
"It was a draw," Villasenor said of the family park. "It's kind of sad to see it close. It may be a good thing. I'm still positive."
Outside the restaurant, Vacaville resident Kristin Martin, 18, dined with two friends. She said the park manager's decision to charge entrance fees changed attitudes.
"It used to be free, but once they charged admission, that was it," she said. "It was a nice place to walk in."
Seated next to Martin, Kristie Neal, 18, also of Vacaville, noted that an older sister would take her children to the park but, with its closure, "there's nothing really here for the kids anymore."
At Kool Kids, a boutique shop filled with children's clothing and baby furniture, manager Kriss Thorn said about 10 percent of her business stemmed from foot traffic at the park.
"They'd come in to buy sunglasses, hats, new shorts -- if they had an accident," she said, smiling and seated inside her store.
Large parties that required room rentals at the park would also sometimes generate business, said Thorn, adding, "I'm kind of sad just because it just reopened not too long ago and it never got the chance to be what it could. The economy's hurting, everybody's hurting, the timing was bad."
Stephanie Jolander, assistant manager at Justice just for girls! a clothing store for young and preteen girls, also said foot traffic at the park translated into business at the store filled with racks of shorts, spangly tops, plush toys and T-shirts emblazoned with words such as "Music is my Life."
At Winters Fruit Tree, a dried fruit and nut store just a few steps from the park entrance, a family friend of owner Paula Khodaverdi, Alex Khodaverdi, said, "I would say the closure is going to affect us. We're on the main access to the park. We don't have other (street) exposure. We're at the mercy of return customers."
He added, "We're trying to stay in business -- as long as it's feasible," he said, seated in the large closet-sized shop.
Meanwhile, the Vacaville City Council is waiting to see what happens next.
Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt said that reviewing the Development Disposition Agreement between the city and Nut Tree Associates is in order.
"It's important to see where we stand after the dust settles," said Hunt, adding that maybe a more passive solution that includes access to the historical Harbison House inside is necessary.
"We'll have to see what we can do," he said.
Councilwoman Pauline Clancy said she isn't worried as much as some people.
"The amusement parks close this time of year anyway," she said. "I know the players."
Speaking of Roger Snell of Snell & Co., which owns the park, Clancy said, "He's a honest human being and a nice family man. He's trying really hard, but this economic time is just pushing in the opposite direction."
"We don't know what tomorrow brings," she added.
Staff Writer Melissa Murphy contributed to this report.
By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com
Posted: 01/15/2009 06:59:45 AM PST
Merchants near and around the now-closed Nut Tree Family Park generally are unsure how its closure would affect their businesses but remain hopeful that their bottom lines will remain black in the short term.
"We're taking a wait-and-see attitude," Jim Hester, manager of Fentons Creamery, the popular ice cream shop and restaurant two doors down from the park entrance, said Wednesday. "Sales have been down generally but we're holding on right now. We're moving forward."
He said the park closure, announced Tuesday, came on the heels of rumors and speculation that it was in financial straits due to a drop-off in admissions -- and just before he had planned to issue a survey of customers.
Hester said foot traffic into his store was greatest on weekends, drawn in part by the park, which featured a historical miniature train, a small roller coaster, a carousel, park benches and bucolic grounds, including a reflecting pool, landscaping and a few shade trees. It is also home to the historic Harbison House, a Vacaville landmark owned by the Vacaville Museum and the last remaining architectural structure from the original Nut Tree business.
Having the family park open on weekends "did have some effect (on business), but it's hard to determine," said Hester. "I don't know if we'll live or die by the park. We have a quality product and quality managers."
He and nearly all the merchants -- and a few shoppers -- who were interviewed cited park managers' decision to charge admission as a possible reason for a noticeable decrease in park use and its eventual closing.
"I think it will impact business but I just don't know how significantly," said Carlos Villasenor, manager of Villa Corona, a Mexican restaurant just a short walk from the park entrance.
Like Hester, he said weekend business was brisk, especially during lunch.
"It was a draw," Villasenor said of the family park. "It's kind of sad to see it close. It may be a good thing. I'm still positive."
Outside the restaurant, Vacaville resident Kristin Martin, 18, dined with two friends. She said the park manager's decision to charge entrance fees changed attitudes.
"It used to be free, but once they charged admission, that was it," she said. "It was a nice place to walk in."
Seated next to Martin, Kristie Neal, 18, also of Vacaville, noted that an older sister would take her children to the park but, with its closure, "there's nothing really here for the kids anymore."
At Kool Kids, a boutique shop filled with children's clothing and baby furniture, manager Kriss Thorn said about 10 percent of her business stemmed from foot traffic at the park.
"They'd come in to buy sunglasses, hats, new shorts -- if they had an accident," she said, smiling and seated inside her store.
Large parties that required room rentals at the park would also sometimes generate business, said Thorn, adding, "I'm kind of sad just because it just reopened not too long ago and it never got the chance to be what it could. The economy's hurting, everybody's hurting, the timing was bad."
Stephanie Jolander, assistant manager at Justice just for girls! a clothing store for young and preteen girls, also said foot traffic at the park translated into business at the store filled with racks of shorts, spangly tops, plush toys and T-shirts emblazoned with words such as "Music is my Life."
At Winters Fruit Tree, a dried fruit and nut store just a few steps from the park entrance, a family friend of owner Paula Khodaverdi, Alex Khodaverdi, said, "I would say the closure is going to affect us. We're on the main access to the park. We don't have other (street) exposure. We're at the mercy of return customers."
He added, "We're trying to stay in business -- as long as it's feasible," he said, seated in the large closet-sized shop.
Meanwhile, the Vacaville City Council is waiting to see what happens next.
Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt said that reviewing the Development Disposition Agreement between the city and Nut Tree Associates is in order.
"It's important to see where we stand after the dust settles," said Hunt, adding that maybe a more passive solution that includes access to the historical Harbison House inside is necessary.
"We'll have to see what we can do," he said.
Councilwoman Pauline Clancy said she isn't worried as much as some people.
"The amusement parks close this time of year anyway," she said. "I know the players."
Speaking of Roger Snell of Snell & Co., which owns the park, Clancy said, "He's a honest human being and a nice family man. He's trying really hard, but this economic time is just pushing in the opposite direction."
"We don't know what tomorrow brings," she added.
Staff Writer Melissa Murphy contributed to this report.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Nut Tree Family Park shuttered
Nut Tree Family Park shuttered
By Melissa Murphy
Posted: 01/14/2009 07:48:50 AM PST
Nut Tree Family Park has closed its doors indefinitely, despite the owner's assurance last month that it would reopen in February.
"After considering current economic conditions and nearly two years of struggling attendance levels, the owner of the Nut Tree Family Park has elected to close the park indefinitely," stated a press release sent to The Reporter from marketing manager Marisa Hicks.
Rumors have been floating around for months that the 2-year-old Nut Tree Family Park, owned by Snell & Co., was on the brink of closing. Reached by phone Tuesday Roger Snell refused to comment.
In December, there was an effort to dispel the rumors.
"We are not closing for good," Hicks said just one month ago. "It's merely a time for us to regroup and come back with a plan for 2009."
However, rumors became a reality Tuesday afternoon when a press release blamed the park's viability on the economic climate.
"This decision was very difficult, but based on current economic conditions of the country and in the region, it was the prudent thing to do," said Dave Simon, vice president of AmusementAquatic Management Group (AMG).
AMG President Kent Lemasters said the company was retained by Snell & Co. a few months ago to evaluate and assist in managing and improving the day-to-day operations of the park.
Lemasters confirmed that the plan since October was to open again in February.
"The economy three months ago wasn't the impact it is now," Lemasters said. "It just wasn't prudent to stay open."
Although most of the Nut Tree Family Park employees were seasonal, about seven people will be laid off.
"There are no plans at this point to reopen," Lemasters said.
For now, AMG is in the process of making sure everything is stored and properly covered so the park can endure the winter months.
Meanwhile, questions about the future of the historical train that travels around the park are still unanswered. The renovated No. 5 Nut Tree Train was from the original Nut Tree Park, which closed in 1996.
Now that the park has closed for a second time, the city will have to revisit the agreement with the developer.
Interim City Manager Laura Kuhn said the agreement between the Redevelopment Agency and Nut Tree Associates, which includes Snell & Co., there is a requirement that the train continues to operate.
What that means now that the park is closed, Kuhn isn't sure.
"If the train doesn't operate, then there is a problem because of the agreement," she said. "We will have to work with them to see what we can do. I'm not sure what their plans are."
Kuhn also said that because it is a private venture and that the city is not a business partner, there isn't an agreement to turn the park over to the city if it's closed.
City leaders said that it's unfortunate the park seemed to be the newest casualty of the tough economic state.
"I'm obviously disappointed," said Mayor Len Augustine. "But it's a financial situation with them. If people don't support it, they'll have to figure out a different way to operate it; but it's a private business so I can't speak for them."
Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt agreed. "I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed," he said. "We can't force people to stay in business and lose money."
"The city isn't in a position to make any type of subsidy," he added.
Events scheduled at the park were notified to find different venues.
Brett Johnson, president of NorthBay Healthcare Foundation, said the group had planned to hold part of a fundraising event at the park in April.
The Solano Wine and Food Jubilee, the biggest fundraiser in the county, is still being held this year on April 24, but the event will not carry over into the Nut Tree Family Park as originally planned.
"It was a piece of the event," said Johnson. Even without the park in the picture, he assured, the event will continue as it has in the past, with, among other things, wine, food and entertainment.
Johnson, who is also chairman of the Planning Commission, believes the economy played a part in the park's closing.
"Unfortunately, it's a sign of the times," he said, pointing to the fact that he was in favor of changes to the Nut Tree Village, which allowed a greater variety of businesses to move in.
Johnson isn't ready to give up though. "It is a setback in the short term, but I'm still hopeful for the long term."
By Melissa Murphy
Posted: 01/14/2009 07:48:50 AM PST
Nut Tree Family Park has closed its doors indefinitely, despite the owner's assurance last month that it would reopen in February.
"After considering current economic conditions and nearly two years of struggling attendance levels, the owner of the Nut Tree Family Park has elected to close the park indefinitely," stated a press release sent to The Reporter from marketing manager Marisa Hicks.
Rumors have been floating around for months that the 2-year-old Nut Tree Family Park, owned by Snell & Co., was on the brink of closing. Reached by phone Tuesday Roger Snell refused to comment.
In December, there was an effort to dispel the rumors.
"We are not closing for good," Hicks said just one month ago. "It's merely a time for us to regroup and come back with a plan for 2009."
However, rumors became a reality Tuesday afternoon when a press release blamed the park's viability on the economic climate.
"This decision was very difficult, but based on current economic conditions of the country and in the region, it was the prudent thing to do," said Dave Simon, vice president of AmusementAquatic Management Group (AMG).
AMG President Kent Lemasters said the company was retained by Snell & Co. a few months ago to evaluate and assist in managing and improving the day-to-day operations of the park.
Lemasters confirmed that the plan since October was to open again in February.
"The economy three months ago wasn't the impact it is now," Lemasters said. "It just wasn't prudent to stay open."
Although most of the Nut Tree Family Park employees were seasonal, about seven people will be laid off.
"There are no plans at this point to reopen," Lemasters said.
For now, AMG is in the process of making sure everything is stored and properly covered so the park can endure the winter months.
Meanwhile, questions about the future of the historical train that travels around the park are still unanswered. The renovated No. 5 Nut Tree Train was from the original Nut Tree Park, which closed in 1996.
Now that the park has closed for a second time, the city will have to revisit the agreement with the developer.
Interim City Manager Laura Kuhn said the agreement between the Redevelopment Agency and Nut Tree Associates, which includes Snell & Co., there is a requirement that the train continues to operate.
What that means now that the park is closed, Kuhn isn't sure.
"If the train doesn't operate, then there is a problem because of the agreement," she said. "We will have to work with them to see what we can do. I'm not sure what their plans are."
Kuhn also said that because it is a private venture and that the city is not a business partner, there isn't an agreement to turn the park over to the city if it's closed.
City leaders said that it's unfortunate the park seemed to be the newest casualty of the tough economic state.
"I'm obviously disappointed," said Mayor Len Augustine. "But it's a financial situation with them. If people don't support it, they'll have to figure out a different way to operate it; but it's a private business so I can't speak for them."
Vice Mayor Curtis Hunt agreed. "I'm not surprised, but I am disappointed," he said. "We can't force people to stay in business and lose money."
"The city isn't in a position to make any type of subsidy," he added.
Events scheduled at the park were notified to find different venues.
Brett Johnson, president of NorthBay Healthcare Foundation, said the group had planned to hold part of a fundraising event at the park in April.
The Solano Wine and Food Jubilee, the biggest fundraiser in the county, is still being held this year on April 24, but the event will not carry over into the Nut Tree Family Park as originally planned.
"It was a piece of the event," said Johnson. Even without the park in the picture, he assured, the event will continue as it has in the past, with, among other things, wine, food and entertainment.
Johnson, who is also chairman of the Planning Commission, believes the economy played a part in the park's closing.
"Unfortunately, it's a sign of the times," he said, pointing to the fact that he was in favor of changes to the Nut Tree Village, which allowed a greater variety of businesses to move in.
Johnson isn't ready to give up though. "It is a setback in the short term, but I'm still hopeful for the long term."
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Report provides no economic relief for Fairfield-Vallejo area
Report provides no economic relief for Fairfield-Vallejo area
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | January 12, 2009 17:03
FAIRFIELD - Local jobless rates will continue to soar through 2009, according to a recent study.
The California and Metro Forecast from University of the Pacific in Stockton states unemployment rates for the Fairfield-Vallejo area will rise steadily throughout 2009, peaking late in the year at about 9.3 percent.
That would represent a dramatic leap from the heady days earlier this decade, when local unemployment dipped to barely 4 percent. The projected rise would make the Fairfield-Vallejo area the hardest-hit in the Bay Area, although it would be about on par with the statewide average.
'The (area) has felt the effect of the housing market collapse since 2006,' wrote economist Jeffrey Michael. 'Things will not get better in 2009.'
Michael's report does not predict much change in the housing market in the short term. In fact, 2009 may be worse for the industry than the devastatingly bad market of 2008. A true reinvigoration of the home-building industry may not take place until 2011, Michael said Monday.
'I don't believe that California is badly oversupplied with housing,' he said. 'Our population is continuing to grow and there is still demand out there for housing. What got out of balance was more the price of housing related to people's ability to pay rather than an oversupply of housing units.'
Leading the way in job losses are the sectors of manufacturing and construction, the former never having recovered from the 2001 recession and the latter still profoundly affected by a stagnant housing market that shows few signs of reviving.
Michael said the state may continue to hemorrhage as many as 50,000 jobs per quarter through 2009, with unemployment rates stabilizing after that. However, just as there was a lag between the start of the recession and the start of job losses, so will there be a lag between the end of the recession and the resuming of hiring, he said.
'Now that it is becoming clear that business is way off and is going to stay off, (employers) are having to pull the trigger (on layoffs),' he said. 'Unemployment rates in 2010 could be worse than 2009 on average. This is a serious downturn and employers are going to be really cautious picking up people coming out of it.'
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
By Ben Antonius | Daily Republic | January 12, 2009 17:03
FAIRFIELD - Local jobless rates will continue to soar through 2009, according to a recent study.
The California and Metro Forecast from University of the Pacific in Stockton states unemployment rates for the Fairfield-Vallejo area will rise steadily throughout 2009, peaking late in the year at about 9.3 percent.
That would represent a dramatic leap from the heady days earlier this decade, when local unemployment dipped to barely 4 percent. The projected rise would make the Fairfield-Vallejo area the hardest-hit in the Bay Area, although it would be about on par with the statewide average.
'The (area) has felt the effect of the housing market collapse since 2006,' wrote economist Jeffrey Michael. 'Things will not get better in 2009.'
Michael's report does not predict much change in the housing market in the short term. In fact, 2009 may be worse for the industry than the devastatingly bad market of 2008. A true reinvigoration of the home-building industry may not take place until 2011, Michael said Monday.
'I don't believe that California is badly oversupplied with housing,' he said. 'Our population is continuing to grow and there is still demand out there for housing. What got out of balance was more the price of housing related to people's ability to pay rather than an oversupply of housing units.'
Leading the way in job losses are the sectors of manufacturing and construction, the former never having recovered from the 2001 recession and the latter still profoundly affected by a stagnant housing market that shows few signs of reviving.
Michael said the state may continue to hemorrhage as many as 50,000 jobs per quarter through 2009, with unemployment rates stabilizing after that. However, just as there was a lag between the start of the recession and the start of job losses, so will there be a lag between the end of the recession and the resuming of hiring, he said.
'Now that it is becoming clear that business is way off and is going to stay off, (employers) are having to pull the trigger (on layoffs),' he said. 'Unemployment rates in 2010 could be worse than 2009 on average. This is a serious downturn and employers are going to be really cautious picking up people coming out of it.'
Reach Ben Antonius at 427-6977 or bantonius@dailyrepublic.net.
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