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PaidforbytheGregVaughnforHarpersFerryCampaign|2017|page
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Falsehoods & FACTS | UPDATED June 7, 2017
Informationoftenhasavibrantlifeofitsownthatcanbecomedistortedinitstellingandretelling.ThisfactsheetcapturesinformationMISPERCEPTIONSandFALSEHOODSthathavebeenrepeatedinrecentTownHallMeetingsandForumsalongsidecorrespondingFACTStohelpyoumakeinformedvotingdecisions.ELECTGREGVAUGHNASMAYOROFHARPERSFERRY!AlongsideadedicatedTownCouncilGregaddressedcriticalinfrastructure;advancedfinancesfromdeficittosurplus;andcultivatedlocal,national,andregionalcollaborationtolaystrongfoundationsforHarpersFerry'sfuture.
GregVaughnfirmlystandsagainstsimplisticandshort-sightedsolutionstocomplexissues,repeatedirresponsibilitywithfactsandfigures,“specialinterest”homeowneropposition,andpoliticalgrandstanding.StepbeyondmisperceptionsandreviewthefactsaswemovepastyearsofincivilityandobstructionismtowardthefutureHarpersFerrydeserves.
FollowingareseveralinformationMISREPRESENTATIONSandFALSEHOODSthathavebeenrepeatedinrecentTownHallMeetingsandForumsalongsidecorrespondingFACTStohelpyoumakeinformedvotingdecisions.GETTHEFACTS!
MOSTRECENTMISREPRESENTATIONS,FALSEHOODS&FACTS|weekof6.5.2017..........................................................................DistortionofFactsbyWayneBishopatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryWayneBishopasquotedinaThursdayJune8,2017JournalArticle,www.journal-news.net
ECONOMICGROWTH"Bishopstressedtheneedtoimprovecommunicationandbusinessinthetown,statingthatadirepicturehasbeenpaintedofthetown’sfinancialstabilityoverthepastfewyears;however,nowthatelectiontimeisnear,Bishopsaid,‘Weseemtohavelotsofmoney.”
FACTS:Overthelastyears,theMayorandTownCouncilhaveaddressedfinancialchallengesfacingallregionalmunicipalitiestoadvancefromdeficittosurplususingcollaborativeandinnovativefinancialandgovernancestrategies..
! Mr.Bishopmaynothavebeenfollowingthebudgetovertheyearsifhecontinuestomaintainconcernsthatrecentsurplusesaretheresultofelectionseasonaccountingdeceptionorgrandstanding.
! Mr.BishopmightrememberthatMayorVaughnandthecurrentTownCounciltookinnovativestepsincludinghelpingHarpersFerryestablishWestVirginiaHomeRuletosignificantlychangeTownfundingdynamics.
! Additionally,Mr.Bishopmaybeforgettingthe1%SalesandUseTaximplementedbytheMayorin2016,vigorousandimpartialenforcementoftheB&OTaxesenforcementbytheMayorandTownCouncilthroughouttheirterm,andthousandsofdollarsintouristparkingrevenuefromthevilifiedstrategicparkingpolicydesignedtoaddressresidentsafety,touristflowandturnover,andyes,incomethathavecontributedtothefinancialturnaround!
! CastinghisaspersionsonmotiveforthesurplusMr.BishopappearsunawareofthesteadyprogressiontoTownsolvencythathasbeenaccomplishedunderMr.Vaughn’sleadership.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsbyWayneBishopatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryWayneBishopasquotedinaThursdayJune8,2017JournalArticle,www.journal-news.netBOLIVARRELATIONSHIPS"Bolivarwon'ttalktothecurrentHarpersFerryadministration.Weneedtorebuildthatrelationshipandgetbackajointforce."FACTS:TheMayor,throughouthistermhasbeenincloselyaligneddialoguewithMayorDetmeraboutequitablefundingforsharingpolice(asBolivarhasthreetimesthecoverageneedsofHarpersFerry.)
• Fact,MayorVaughncontinuesongoingdialoguewithBolivarMayorDetmerincludingdiscussionsaboutresumingeffortstoprovidecoverageforBolivar.
• InaconversationMay30,2017MayorDetmerandMayorVaughndiscussedajointpolicepresencewithBolivar.MayorDetmernotedthattheyhavecommittedapoliceagreementwiththeSheriff’sDepartmentforthe2017-2018fiscalyear.
• Mr.Bishopmaywishtocheckhisfactsbeforepublishingincorrectstatementsonhiswebsite.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsbyWayneBishopatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryWayneBishopasquotedinaThursdayJune8,2017
MERCHANTSUPPORT"Inexplaininghowhewouldenhancethebusinessatmosphereofthetown,Bishopcalledforplanningofvariousfairs,festivalsandeventsforchildrenandadults.”
FACTS:ItisinterestingtonotethatwhileMr.BishopwasquicktoinaccuratelyattributecancellationofpasteventstoMr.VaughnhefailedtorespondtoMr.Vaughn’sresponsetothesamequestionaboutongoingoutreacheffortsformerchantsandsmallbusinesses.
! ThoughtheJournalarticledidreport“VaughnsharedthatHarpersFerryhasbeendesignatedanumberonetouristattraction…”itfailedtoreportthatMr.VaughninitiateddialogueswithWestVirginiaUniversitySmallBusinessConsultantstoconductworkshoptrainingsandbusinessassistanceforlocalHarpersFerryMerchants.
! Additionally,itwasnotreportedthatMr.VaughnisindialoguewiththeWestVirginiaUniversityTourismfacultytohelpsetupmeetingswiththenewStateDirectorofTourismandExecutiveDirectoroftheJeffersonCountyandVisitor’sBureautoexplorefurtherstrategicbusinessengagement.
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DistortionofFactsbyWayneBishopatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryWayneBishopasquotedinaThursdayJune8,2017JournalArticle,www.journal-news.netINFRASTURCUTRE"Bishopchastisedthemayorblamingpreviousadministrations[fordeferredwaterinfrastructuremaintenance]sayingthatsinceVaughnhasbeeninofficetheissuehaslargelybeenignored.'ThebuckstopswiththeMayor,'Bishopsaid."FACTS:Overthelastyears,theMayorhasconsistentlyworkedwithTownCouncilandateamofqualifiedcontractprofessionals-ledbycandidateBarbaraHumes-tosecurethestudies,reports,andfundingrecommendationsforaddressingwaterinfrastructureissues.
! Mr.Bishopcannothaveitbothways.Mr.Bishop'sstatementssuggestthateitherhehasfailedtoreadthestudies,reports,andfundingrecommendationsorrecognizethemasworkorheisinerrorforchallengingthefinancialframeworkforfundingtherecommendationsledbyMs.HumeashedidsoattheSaturdayMay20,2017LeagueofWomenVotersCandidateForumheldattheUnitedMethodistChurchatCampHill.
! Fact,MayorVaughnhasconsistentlyworkedalongsideateamofqualifiedprofessionalsledbycandidateBarbaraHumestosecurethestudies,reports,andfundingforwaterinfrastructureasrecordedinTownCouncilMeetingsevidencedinTownCouncilmeetingminutesifMr.Bishopisunclear.
! Further,inhiscomments,Mr.BishopattributedMayorVaughn’sreferencetodeferredmaintenancebypastadministrationsas"passingthebuck"ratherthanaccuratelyreflectingthatMr.Vaughnhassteppeduptotakethepotentiallyunpopularpositionofaddressing,interestingly,anactionthatwasnottakenduringTownCouncilsingletermthatMr.Bishop’swifeservedontheHarpersFerryTownCouncil.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteandreferencedagainatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryFIREDEPARTMENT“YourFiredepartmentfundinghasbeencutoffbyyourMayorandCouncil.”FACTS:Thisispatentlyfalse.FundingforthefiredepartmentHASNOTBEENcutoffbytheMayorortheCouncil.
! Infact,MayorVaughnandTownCouncilcreatedanewdisbursementmethodthatallowsforamorepredictableincomeflowforthefiredepartment.
! Asaresultofamuchimprovedrevenuestreamitisanticipatedthatfinancialsupportforthefiredepartmentwillincreasethisfiscalyear.
! GregVaughncontinuestomeetwiththelocalfiredepartmentpresidentandleadershiptocollaborativelydiscusstheircriticalneeds.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteandreferencedagainatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryPOLICE“YourPolicedepartmentcoverageisatanall-timelow.Crimeisontheriseandyouhavenopoliceprotectionatnightforyou,yourfamilyandyourlovedones.TheTownofBolivarwillnotspeaktoyourMayororCounciloverthisissue.”FACTS:Followinga30yearpolicingcareer,GregVaughncontinuestoeffectivelyaddresspublicsafety.
! HarpersFerryhasinfactmaintainedapoliceforcewhileneighboringjurisdictionshavereducedoreliminatedcoverageduetobudgetaryconstraints.
! HarpersFerrypolicedonotpublicallyannouncecommunityshiftcoverageforsecurityandpublicsafetyreasons.
! TheTownCouncilhasbeensuccessfulingeneratingrevenuestreamsforHarpersFerrythatwillbeappliedtopublicsafetyandadditionofnewofficers.
! ThepolicecoverageforHarpersFerryis2.5swornpoliceofficersper290residents.Thenationalaverageforcommunitypolicecoverageistwo(2)swornpoliceofficersper1,000residents.
! Statistically,andaccordingtotheHarpersFerryPoliceChief,therehasbeennoindicationthatcrimeisontheriseinHarpersFerry.
! Fact,MayorVaughncontinuesongoingdialoguewithBolivarMayorDetmerincludingdiscussionsaboutresumingeffortstoprovidecoverageforBolivar.
! MayorDetmermostrecentlyadvisedMayorVaughnthatBolivarre-signedanotherpoliceagreementwiththeSheriff’sDepartmentforthe2017-2018fiscalyear.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteORDINANCE1313“Ialongwithover100citizenshavefoughtlongandhardtogetprotectionsforourcommunityintotherecentlypassedOverlayOrdinance.ThisnewlawisnowindangerofbeingpickedapartbyanoutofTownDeveloper.Iwillnotallowthattohappenifelected.”FACTS:Moreactually,hundredsofindividualsandcommunityadvocateshaveworkedalongsidetheTownCouncilinmorethan60meetings,forums,andpersonaldialoguesessionstoarriveatcommunityprotectionsbuiltintotherecentlypassedPromontoryOrdinance1313.
! Thenew“law”isnotindangerofbeingpickedapartbyan“out-of-town”developerunlessOpponentsoranewTownCouncilchoosetodismantleoramendtheOrdinance,openingthetowntopotentialyearsofdelay,legalchallenge,andfurtherdissension.
! Fact,theTown’sBoardofZoningAppeals(BZA)hassoleauthoritytoruleonanyplanforthehotelpropertythatexceedsthecurrentfootprintanddesign.
! Aswithanyregulation,theapplicant(hotelpropertyowner)hasarightunderWVCodetoappealanyBZAdecisiontotheCircuitCourtofJeffersonCounty,regardlessofwhoisMayor.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteandreferencedagainatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryPARKING“Youarecurrentlybeingchargedtoparkinfrontofyouownhomes.Iwilleliminatetheconfusingparkingpolicy.”FACTS:ThecurrentparkingplanDOESNOTchargeresidentstoparkinfrontoftheirownhomes,rather,undertheplanallresidentsaregivenaccesstotownrights-of-way.
! ThiscomprehensivestrategyforHarpersFerryparkingsimultaneouslyaddressesresidentsafety,increasedtourismtraffic,andstrategicparkingmanagementwhilegeneratinganewrevenuestreamthatcanbedirectedtocommunitysafetyandinfrastructureenhancements.Thisisapublicsafetyissuenotaddressedbyprevioustownadministrations.
! GregVaughnwishestopublicallythankMidgeYostforresearchingandrecommendingtheinnovativeparkingappthatisnowbeingusedthatMr.Bishopsuggestshadnopublicinput.
! Totalcosttoanytownresidentis$5peryear/pervehicle(coveringthecostofprintingtheresidentdecals)andanyresidentcanrequestawaiverforconsiderationif$5ayearisabarrier.
! Thedecalshelppoliceidentifynon-residentautosinworkingtosecureadequateparkingintheirneighborhoodastourismtrafficincreasesthroughouttheseasonandrobustparkingturnoverformerchants.
! Allreportsforthecurrenttouristseasonindicatenodeclineintourismwhilegenerating
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thousandsofdollarsinNEWrevenueforHarpersFerryservices.
! Carefulreviewoftheactualplanbyitsopponentswouldremedythefalsehoods.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteWATERPLANT“YourWaterplantandsystemcurrentlyneed6-7milliondollars’worthofimprovement.Yourratesarenowscheduledtoskyrocketby40%.Iwillfindalowinterestsolutiontothisissue.”FACTS:ThefragileconditionoftheHarpersFerrywatersystemisaresultofyearsofdeferredmaintenancedecisionsbyprevioustownadministrationsthatmustnowbeaddressed.
! TheTownCouncilcontinuestoworkalongsideTheWaterCommissionledbyBarbaraHumeswhohasworkedtirelesslyforthepasttwoyears-andwithfinancialspecialistsandcommunityadvocatestoacquirethemostcosteffectivewaytofundtheneededinfrastructureimprovementtoourwatersystem.
! Thecollaborativeapproachseekstominimizefuturemaintenancecostsandimpacttoresidentsandmerchants.
! SewerServicesarenotadministeredbythetownandtheTownCouncilDOESNOTcontrolsewerfees.
..........................................................................DistortionofFactsfromWayneBishopforMayorWebsiteHILLTOPHOTEL“TheTownisabouttousherina50-60milliondollarHoteldevelopment.ThatmaybegoodfortheTaxbase,howeverthereisnooneinyourcurrentadministrationthathasaclueastohowtheconstructionofthisnewdevelopmentwillaffecteveryone’sdailylives,publicsafetyoryourquietpeaceablewayoflife.”
FACTS:Mr.Vaughnhasnavigatedcomplexoversightoflocal,state,andfederalcodesandenforcementthatpreservetheuniquecharacterofHarpersFerryforallconstruction,andparticularlyfollowingtheLowerTownFirerebuilding.
! Mr.Vaughncontinuestodemonstratehisuniquequalificationsandcapacitytoworkalongsidethearchitects,constructionspecialists,engineers,inspectors,andregulatorybodiesnecessaryforlargescaleprojectsinahistoricallysignificantcommunity.
! IfMr.Bishopwishestoapplyforapositionasaconstructionmanagerwithadeveloper,thatishisprerogative.
! IfMr.Bishopchoosestorunformayorratherthanconstructionmanager,hewillrequireexceptionalskillsingovernance,policy,andadministrationtoworkwithteamsofagenciesarchitects,engineers,andcomplianceofficials.
! Mr.Vaughn’sdemonstratedabilitytocoordinateandcollaboratewithlocal,state,andfederalagenciesaswellasqualifieddesignandbuildingprofessionalsassuresintegrity,compliance,andfiscalsuccesstoenhancequalityoflifeforeveryindividualwhoexperiencesHarpersFerry.
..........................................................................AspersionofFactsandMotive:HarpersFerryneedstoengageaCPAfirmtopreventfiscalmismanagement.*WayneBishopatLeagueofWomenVotersTownForum,May2017FACTS:HarpersFerrycurrentlyhires,andhashiredforyearsinaccordancewithWestVirginiaStatecode,aWVapprovedCPAFirmthatconductsroutineadvisoryfunctionsandreviewandaseparateWVapprovedfirmfortherequiredannualaudit.
! HarpersFerryhascompletedALLCPAcertifiedauditswithnoindicationofanymismanagement.
! Allauditsareavailableforonlinereviewbythepublic.
..........................................................................DistortionofFacts:HarpersFerryresidentswillhavetopaycapacity,infrastructure,andsupplycostsforadditionalwaterusagegeneratedbyanewHilltopHotel.FACTS:TherecentlyapprovedHotelOverlayOrdinancerequiresANYANDALLCOSTSthatmightresultfromcapacity,infrastructure,andsupplyneedsbeyond2008levelsTOBEBORNSOLELYbythehoteldeveloper...........................................................................DistortionofFacts:WaterandSewerCostIncreasesforresidentsareoccurringduetoTownCouncilmismanagementandfailuretoreachouttopotentialfundingpartnersforthe$6.5millionHarpersFerryWaterSystemUpgrade.FACTS:Costincreasestoresidentsaretheresultofdeferredmaintenanceoverthepastdecades.
! Thecurrentcouncilisaddressinginfrastructureissuesthathavenotbeenattendedtoforyearsduetolackoffunding.HarpersFerryTownCouncilandCommunityadvocateshaveworkedalongsidecommunityadvocatesandfundingprofessionalstocraftthemostcost-effectiveapproachtoprojectfinancingforwaterservicesessentialtopreventinghigherlongtermcosts.
! TownCouncilrecordsreportthewide-rangingoutreachstrategiesthathavebeenexploredwithlegalandfinancialcounseltosecurethebestratesundertheleadershipofBarbaraHumes.
..........................................................................DistortionofFacts:ThecurrentHilltopHotelOverlayallowsforunrestrictedgrowthofaprojectbeyondthescaleofthesiteandhascompromisedpublicandregulatoryoversight.FACTS:TheapprovedHotelOverlayOrdinanceprescribesahotelfootprintthatfallswithintheoriginalsizeparametersofthesite.
! TheapprovedHotelOverlayplancontainsstrictandenforceablezoningandregulatoryprocesseswithcommunityinputscheduledintoeachdesignphase.
! AnyproposedincreaseinthecurrentfootprintorsizeMUSTBEapprovedbytheBoardofZoningAppeals(BZA)followingpublicreview.
..........................................................................DistortionofFacts:ThecurrentTownCouncilhasnotbeentransparentinmattersrelatedtotheHilltopHotelOverlayandotherTownmattersandrefusestoheardissentingvoices.FACTS:ThecurrentHarpersFerryTownCouncilcontinuestoholdongoingandopencommunitymeetings,forums,anddialogueinwhichallstakeholdervoicesareheardaboveandbeyondtherequirementsofgovernanceordinances.
! Inmultipleinstances,dissentingvoiceshaverefusedtohonortheframeworksestablishedforcivilandaccuratepublicdiscourse.
! TheTownadditionallyhasbroughtinimpartialfacilitatorstomakecertainmeetingsareopenandcivil.
AllinterestedpartiescanreachouttotheTownCouncilRecorderfornotesandinsomecasestranscriptsandrecordingsofthesessions.
.........................................................................DistortionofFactsbyWayneBishopatMerchantAssociationForum,June7,2017BolivarLibraryWayneBishopasquotedinaThursdayJune8,2017JournalArticle,www.journal-news.net
STAYTUNEDFORADDITIONALFACTUPDATESASWHENNEEDED!ThissitehonorsWestVirginiaElectionRules:SponsoredbytheGregVaughnforHarpersFerryelectioncampaign.JohnMadigan,Treasurer
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THANKYOUFORYOURRESPECTFULCONSIDERATION.EmbracingtheFutureHarpersFerryDeserves!
PLEASESHAREANDSTAYTUNEDFORADDITIONALFACTUPDATESASNEEDED!GregVaugnforHarpersFerry.weebly.comHonoringWestVirginiaElectionRules:SponsoredbytheGregVaughnforHarpersFerryelectioncampaign.JohnMadigan,Treasurer