Download pdf - Falsehoods & FACTS | UPDATED June 7, 2017

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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