Another 13 months late, another $1 million short

Now this is Taxpayer funded Economic Development at its finest.

First, a plan must be developed so that Tamarack no longer is operating $1 million in the red each year. And secondly, a way must be found to satisfy some $7 million in bond debt. Without elaborating, Martin said a plan "is in sight" toward meeting the second goal.

"The authority has to tie up the loose ends," Goes said. "We'll have to sort through the technical aspects of what do they own, what agency or entity can actually hold title. I don't think it will take a terrible amount of time once everything starts to get going. Those are the types of details you have to look at any time you move things around in state government."

No deadline has been set, although Gov. Joe Manchin some 13 months ago chaired a parkways meeting to announce he was amending its role so that its mission is limited exclusively to maintaining the West Virginia Turnpike. In essence, it meant the authority would abandon its legislatively mandated scope of economic development and tourism.

"So we're just still looking at some opportunities. We haven't forgotten about them. We're still very proud of Tamarack. We're still looking for the best way to make a smooth transition. We haven't made any final decision."

http://www.dailymail.com/News/200805060214

And the Gazette has an opinion.

As Mannix Porterfield of the Register-Herald in Beckley reported, the legislative auditor's office found that the authority has pumped some $20 million into Tamarack over 10 years to keep it afloat. That's a lot of money not going into road needs.

There is also $7 million in bonded indebtedness associated with Tamarack, and that obligation, too, must be satisfied before Tamarack becomes a Commerce Department concern. Martin said there is "a plan in sight" for doing that.

Tamarack brings West Virginia-made wares to an interstate market, and thus helps some artisans. But Tamarack bled the Parkways Authority of the money it needs to keep the road in good shape.

http://www.dailymail.com/Opinion/Editorials/200805070194

Which Legislator(s) has the "biggest $take" in Tamarack, ...... huh, huh, huh?

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