Flynrider
Phoenix,#2Consumer Comment
Wed, May 18, 2011
". After enticing the city to spend over $20 million for a
cruise ship terminal facility, Carnival left town without even the good
manners of a courtesy notice."
So, in exchange for building this facility, the city did not get any contractual obligation requiring Carnival to operate in Mobile for a given period of time? Doesn't that sound kind of stupid (it's not really. Stupidity is just a cover)? I think your anger is directed at the wrong party.
If you really want to find the culprit, follow the money. Find out which politicians benefitted by building this facility with no guarantee that it would be used. My guess is that Carnival knew full well that they might not stay long term, which would explain their not signing a long term agreement. On the other hand, the locals who would benefit from the $20 million expenditure wouldn't have made jack if such a deal had required the commitment.
This is local politics 101 and is usually the explanation for glaring oversights such as these (as opposed to just plain stupidity).
Michael
Summerland Key,#3General Comment
Tue, May 17, 2011
Are you a representative of Mobile, or are you just some Joe Schmoe who is just upset you don't have a local cruise embarkation port anymore? If a rep of Mobile, you only have yourself to blame. You failed to sell your city to tourists, therefore letting down Carnival who was homeporting there. If you are the latter, you need to understand the workings of economics and understand why Carnival left. They weren't selling cruises. That's the bottom line.
Cory
San Antonio,#4Consumer Comment
Sat, May 14, 2011
I see that same crap happening to cities all over the country. These scumbag politicians GIVE these sweetheart deals to companies who agree to set up shop in their little bergs. Here in town it was AT&T and Sony just to name of few of the many. Some companies stay as long as their tax "breaks" last, then it's on to the next town. Some bail out as soon as they find it's not profitable, even before their tax "breaks" end. Many cities won't go after money that companies that DO bail owe, in fear of scaring off future business. How about THE BIGGEST of all? Jerry Jones and his billon dollar stadium. Didn't cost him a penny yet he gets to keep all the profit. Can't blame a business man. Those politicians are the ones who GIVE IT away. The big rip off right now here in town is the appraise value of commercial properties. Before, IF a company contests an appraised value and they LOST their appeal they had to PAY ALL legal fees. Now if they lose the appraisal district can only collect $100,000 max. for legal fees. We're talking big bucks here. JW Marriot spent $200 MILLON building their hotel here. THEY say it's WORTH $50 million. The appraisal district says $150 millon. Of couse JW's gonna spend millons contesting the appraised value. IF they lose, the most the appraisal district can collect in THEIR legal fees IS $100,000. You can thank a politician that has his nose buries up the butt of business for that new law.