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To: West Virginia Secretary of State, Elkins City Council, Randolph County Commission.
As a former resident of Elkins and a frequent critic of local government, on this rare occasion I agree 100% with the county commission: Stop the TIF!
I highly recommend that anyone with access to a computer, search and read this web site, "Good Jobs First, TIF 101: The Basics." This is a well-written and well-researched 13-page education. This is truly an eye opener!
Comes to mind the meaning of "tiff"? Merriam-Webster defines it as many already know, "a quarrel." Along the way, someone conveniently dropped one "f" from this new insidious shell game. Many of the readers will also know the meaning of "word salad."
As I read the 13-page document a number of things come to mind.
1) Who first brought the idea of a TIF District to the City of Elkins and Randolph County? Who or what organization is pushing the agreement and who in the long run will benefit most?
2) Does this particular TIF have a back door/opt-out where the agreement can be nullified?
3) Why was this very dangerous and long-term initiative involving so much money and rather extensive possible ramifications to the local system not brought to the general election and vote of the people? Is there any state law governing a situation such as this one?
4) Does the TIF have any direct connection with the $16+ million Tygart Hotel renovation? What do the financiers know about the future that the general public may not know? Surely, taking such a deep financial dive, the development group does expect to recoup their investment? This is somewhat addressed in the Good Jobs TIF 101 Basics document.
5) The map of Elkins showing the proposed TIF district encompasses the major business areas of the city and all of its main highway system. The Good Jobs website warns against "eminent domain clauses" that may be in the TIF District documents.
6) This could potentially become a situation similar to the "robber barons" of early West Virginia. They took all of the timber, coal and, over decades, great financial revenue.
7) All of this seems like the old adage, "He sold his soul to the devil."
8) What recourse would the county have if the TIF goes through? Perhaps by cutting all funding to any assistance that is currently providing to the city of Elkins? In the future this may keep the TIF District arrangement from getting any future county revenue.
Kudos to the Randolph County Commission! I still live in Barbour County.
Joe Shipp
Barbour County