Anatomy of Dublin’s City Budget Woes
The City of Dublin, CA, is expected to have a $1.2M general fund deficit in 2010 and a more sizable $3M-$4.7M deficit in 2011. Dublin’s budget trainwreck is due to the fact that people are buying fewer cars and consumer goods in Dublin, our assessed home values have decreased, and Dublin’s Police and Fire expenses have continued to skyrocket at a breakneck pace. Dublin gets about half of its revenue from property taxes and about a quarter from sales tax revenue. The rest of our City’s funding comes from a variety of sources such as impact, permit, and use fees.
Dublin’s property tax receipts are projected to dip a little more than $1.5M in 2010, compared to that in 2009. Although this decrease is significant, property tax receipts will still be higher in 2010 than they were in 2007. While Dublin’s property tax funding has decreased gradually, our sales tax revenue has fallen off a cliff. Dublin averaged roughly $14M per year in sales tax revenue during the 2004-2008 period. Dublin’s Finance Director Paul Rankin now expects 2010′s sales tax revenue to come in at just over $10.5M, which is about a 25% decline from the average during the boom years.
Dublin’s precious impact fee pipeline ran dry in 2009 and has not started to flow since that time. During the housing boom years of 2004-2008, Dublin was pulling in roughly $12M per year. For 2010 we are only expecting about $2.7M in impact fees.
Given a backdrop of declining City tax and fee revenue, we would expect to see a commensurate decrease in expenses to balance the budget. Instead, certain expenses are actually skyrocketing upwards. Police and Fire make up over half of Dublin’s City budget. Back in 2001, Dublin spent about $10M for Police and Fire Services. Dublin is now projected to spend over $24M in 2010, with an increase of $1.75M in 2010 alone. Dublin has managed to trim expenses for 2010 in all other expense categories such as culture & leisure and general government to help offset the increase in the cost of Police and Fire Services.
How can Dublin balance the budget and stem the flow of red ink? Dublin City Hall and Alameda County Police and Fire Services are pushing for a bailout from residents in the form of a new City tax that will most likely appear on the November ballot. Another option that our elected officials could be considering is to bring Police and Fire expenses back to 2006-2007 levels. This strategy could save Dublin over $4M per year and eliminate the need for a new tax and further cuts to our parks and City services.
As Dublin City Hall deliberates on the best response to the skyrocketing cost of Police and Fire Services, the Around Dublin Team would like to ask our readers in Dublin to support all the businesses that have invested in our city. Every dollar we spend will help boost our declining sales tax revenue. We ask our city and school officials to stand with our local business owners and denounce any attempt at economic terrorism in the form of a boycott by a misguided few. Together, we will will make it through these rough patches and prosper once again as One Dublin.
12:52 AM on March 30th, 2010
Why cant the city get some nice socialist govt cheese everyone else seems to be getting?
6:59 AM on March 30th, 2010
I will be selling my kids school books and donating 10% additional from my paychecks to help pay for police services. We all need to realize that our brave police are in much more danger than those in Iraq and Afghanistan and we need to therefore pay them 2-4 times more than the average soldier AND give them a lifetime of luxury in the form of a pension that pays, what, 80% of salary for the rest of their life, even if they retire from the Dublin Police and go work for Fremont Police after a certain number of years.. Oh, and when it comes to danger on the streets, we all know that the Police chief and higher ups, you know the ones that never really leave the office, those are the most dangerous jobs on the force and therefore should be paid extra money–
Please donate your kids education, our deteriorating city streets and anything else you can think of to help make sure your local cop is well taken care of.
Dear Dublin Police (and family members), please come on here and talk about how dangerous your job is, how you’re only in it for the money (since that’s what you always claim is what needs to be paid highly in order to attract the great officers we have).. When you get frustrated, please tell all of us non-cops that the best way to fight back for government corruption is to just become an overpaid public employee ourselves, or better yet, call us all ungrateful a**holes and tell us that we better watch our backs because of all the evil on the streets– We love it when you get all threatening!
7:30 AM on March 30th, 2010
One of the best comments. I agree, with the warzone that Dublin is, they deserve every penny they make. If not for them you can’t even walk a block without getting mugged, raped, shot or all three.
7:55 AM on March 30th, 2010
John, you say that police and fire expenses have skyrocketed, but do we know the details behind it? By not knowing what is actually making those expenses go up, it gives jack-asses like Mr. Anonymous to go off on inflated police/fire salaries and pensions.
If you’re going to point out how costs have gone up so much since 2001, which is true, at least mention how the population of Dublin has also skyrocketed in that time (thus increasing the need for police and fire).
People forget we live next to a jail (you know, the one that was on lockdown last night because of inmate violence), and we need a bigger police force because of that. The fact that Dublin remains a safe place to live indicates the police are doing their jobs effectively. Does that mean there is room to cut expenses in police and fire? Of course there is. But let’s see what’s really driving up the costs so we can engage in intelligent debate, something the comments on this blog sorely lack.
As stated previously, many police and fire units contribute to their own pensions out of their own paychecks. I do think that police and fire shouldn’t get any pensions, and they should contribute to their own retirements like most other folks. But blaming the men and women who put their lives on the line for Dublin residents is so ass backwards and makes no sense. Get mad at the people who agree to the union terms, not the employees.
Oh, and another thing. If the Dublin City Council wants me to spend my disposable income in Dublin just because it’s Dublin, they can shove it. They care about our money, but not our votes? I seem to recall Mr. Sbranti, the liberal who supposedly cares about people, telling the people to shove it as he ignored their votes and didn’t appoint you to the vacated Council seat. I seem to remember seeing Kasie Hildebrand shopping at Wal-Mart, in Pleasanton, not Dublin. Why couldn’t she shop at Target in Dublin? Because they want us to do as they say, and not as they do?
If they want me to shop in Dublin, then give me a reason to. I go to San Ramon for Whole Foods because Dublin can’t bring Whole Foods here. Dublin wants Whole Foods? Then lower taxes further to provide the incentive for WF and Blake Hunt to do business here. They don’t want me going to Wal-Mart for cheap household goods? Then give me a Target in East Dublin before 2015, and I won’t have to go to Pleasanton. Give me a farmer’s market without having to wait another year for it. Give me a downtown before Hell freezes over. Force DiManto to sell his land and build something usable. Bend over backwards for businesses to come here, and they will come here. You increase tax revenues by lowering taxes, not raising them.
Until Dublin takes on this attitude, I’ll shop wherever I want, whether it’s here, Pleasanton, San Ramon, or Danville. And apparently Kasie Hildebrand feels the same way, and that makes it ok, right?
8:29 AM on March 30th, 2010
Hi Anonymous – that’s a good point on the population change. The City has increased spending on police and fire by 140% since 2001 and Dublin’s population has increased by about 40% over the same time period.
With respect to 2006-2007, Dublin’s population has increased by about 8% and police and fire expense has increased by 20% (about 2.5 times the rate of population growth).
Thx, John Z.
10:02 AM on March 30th, 2010
it’s a county jail. why would dublin have to pay to staff it? however, i would vote yes on a bond to build a new jail somewhere else outside of dublin.
10:44 AM on March 30th, 2010
They don’t, but when inmates are released, they’re walking around our town, and our police has to keep an eye on them.
9:42 AM on March 30th, 2010
I too am curious about the “skyrocketing” police and fire costs. It seems that if the city wants to justify a new tax to help support these departments, they had better give us details as to why their costs are going up so significantly, especially compared to population increase. I totally support robust police and fire services, but something isn’t adding up here, literally.
12:05 PM on March 30th, 2010
“We ask our city and school officials to stand with our local business owners and denounce any attempt at economic terrorism in the form of a boycott by a misguided few. Together, we will will make it through these rough patches and prosper once again as One Dublin.”
I like this statement. OneDublin.org should be ashamed of their economic terrorism in the form of boycotts to local businesses. They are trying to drive businesses away from Dublin. They do not care about reduced sales revenue to the city for their own selfish agenda. This does not reflect very well on their name.
12:08 PM on March 30th, 2010
What happen to OneDublin.org and our local businesses?
12:26 PM on March 30th, 2010
In case you do not know, OneDublin.org is sending out threatening letters to boycott local businesses that have their banners on AD. What is the reason? Everybody knows OneDublin.org is against Tassajara Prep and AD is for it. OneDublin.org wants to kill AD and then Tassajara Prep. Who else is behind OneDublin.org? Dublin Unified School District. But the funny thing is: AD does not make any money out of this, if I remember correctly what AD said before.
2:09 PM on March 30th, 2010
If you will make allegations this big, you should reveal your name. Otherwise, you are a coward and has no credibility.
2:15 PM on March 30th, 2010
Liza,
People who live in glass houses should not throw rocks. All of us are anonymous or using fake names for a reason. Check the AD fan page for what’s been happening in your city. With a terrorist organization like OneDublin around saying that if you are not against the charter school you are against the existing sub-par high school, no one is safe. Maybe we will find you on the terrorist watch list soon.
2:29 PM on March 30th, 2010
First, you are no more than a coward because you did not disclose your name either. Second, anonymous whistle blower is completely legitimate, especially under such threatening environment. The email proofs are there, so nobody is making it up.
3:41 PM on March 30th, 2010
OneDublin.org has not threatened or targeted a single business with a boycott nor has OneDublin.org sent a single email to a business threatening a boycott. Period.
I have personally emailed several businesses that advertise on Around Dublin, making them aware of the frequent anonymous attack postings on Around Dublin that go largely unchecked by the blog’s founders.
Note that the anonymous attack postings – whether they are about public education or safety services or Muslim centers – surely damage the City of Dublin’s reputation since those thinking of moving here will find the postings via Google and form an opinion of our city that is not accurate. Local businesses should be aware of how a website with a Google Page Rank of 4 (meaning – pretty good) is allowing our city to be represented (by passively encouraging anonymous attack postings).
I talked to John Zukoski in real-time today requesting not that he censor or delete anonymous attack postings but rather that he discourage postings that are personal attacks or that clearly cross the line. To set some ground rules as most forums do. Forget about the charter school debate – there are numerous examples of where Around Dublin anonymous posters make the City of Dublin look bad. Ideally postings wouldn’t be anonymous – like Facebook – but that’s a choice for the blog owner alone to make.
If you want a copy of the exact email I sent contact me at magtmagt@yahoo.com and I’ll forward you a copy. You’ll find that the characterizations above are completely untrue.
Finally, I’ve made my case regarding the charter school debate and do not plan to publish anything further on the topic other than keep people informed about steps in the process. I also do not plan on posting on the Around Dublin site unless I am personally attacked (as was the case here) and need to defend myself.
I should note – there is a line where statements stop being controversial and become libelous – the statements made above are, in my opinion, close to that line.
5:18 PM on March 30th, 2010
James,
Since John is not an elected official and was not responsible for any of the controversial decisions he covered, why should he be held accountable for the angry feedback from the community? If our elected officials don’t like seeing the negative comments, here is a thought — stop going against the will of people and rubber stamp every project proposed by developers. Also, John has already stated publicly about his feelings on the some of issues you listed in this classic article:
http://www.arounddublinblog.com/2009/11/dublin-deals-with-racial-tension-as-city-continues-to-grow/
So far, we have yet to hear from the City Council and the School Board about the denigrating remark Board Member John Ledahl made about an entire race of students. Where is your outrage when that racist remark was made publicly on the blog? At least John had the courage to cover such a delicate issue in an open and respectful way. Just because the students who were targeted by that hateful remark look different than your daughters does not mean they are any less human.
10:01 AM on March 31st, 2010
If not for these “attacks” who would even visit this site. I like the offensive material. It’s good drama and great entertainment. Keep up the East vs West rivalry.
11:27 AM on March 31st, 2010
This is a image copy of email Mr. Morehead sent to local businesses:
http://i44.tinypic.com/vsgocx.jpg
This is the original quote:
“In the past few days parents offended by Around Dublin’s behavior have started a boycott not just of the Around Dublin website, but also the Around Dublin Facebook page which has dropped by 20 Fans just since yesterday afternoon. It would be unfortunate if frustration with Around Dublin spilled over to the businesses that are funding Around Dublin.”
Is this not threatening local businesses in the form of boycott (if they are associated with AD)? It definitely is. If you can read English, you would understand what the quote means.
12:29 PM on March 31st, 2010
I think someone called OneDublin a hate group at one point here. Is there any more doubt? All that needs to be shown now is that James Morehead and DUSD have been systematically targeting minority-owned businesses, and we have ourselves a federal crime right here in Dublin, CA.
1:25 PM on March 31st, 2010
What does the City of Dublin have against minorities? First I read about the graffiti and now this?! Is this city-sponsored boycott of local businesses really the best way to go when they are telling everyone sales revenue is down? All because John Z. is trying to get a second high school into Dublin?
3:30 PM on March 31st, 2010
Conspiracy! Intrigue! Economic Terrorism! Hate Group! Secret handshakes with the City of Dublin and DUSD officials! Dare to criticize Around Dublin’s rampant and largely unchecked anonymous attack postings and all kinds of libelous theories abound. However, looks like my letter served its intended purpose given John’s recent postings distancing himself from anonymous attack postings.
I am amazed how much my little after hours project (http://www.OneDublin.org) – with its measly Google page rank of 0 – has caused such a commotion with its spotlights on controversial items like the Wells Middle School trip to Disneyland (Shocking!) or the John Green Elementary School Science Fair (Run for the Hills!) and yes, a few articles providing an alternate point of view on the charter high school initiative.
What’s next, I’m hiding aliens in my backyard? (I better check – you never know, it might be true…)
3:42 PM on March 31st, 2010
Mr. Morehead, you have a split character. Openly, OneDublin.org seems to be a nice organization, promoting public schools in Dublin. Behind the door, OneDublin.org has been threatening local residents and local businesses for supporting Around Dublin/Tassajara Prep. I do not know which one is the real you.
8:29 PM on March 31st, 2010
James wrote:
“I talked to John Zukoski in real-time today requesting not that he censor or delete anonymous attack postings but rather that he discourage postings that are personal attacks or that clearly cross the line. To set some ground rules as most forums do. ”
If that’s the real issue here, then the AD team should simply put “rules of etiquette” at the header of this blog or one of those floating javascript boxes on the page. Then that will be that.
What has really happened is that the AD team was posting about TP and how great it would be, and then a new dissenting (and very strong) opinion came in (that would be you, James) and debated/argued each point. While there’s nothing wrong with that, you clearly under-estimated the number of people who do not share your point of view and now it’s spinning out of control.
You were acting like a new employee joining a group who didn’t try to assimilate and build credibility first before pushing your opinions (over and over again) onto people. Many people have probably seen this at their workplace and even students have seen this at school. You are right to have your own opinion, but you are wrong to push those opinions so hard on other people.
9:13 PM on March 31st, 2010
Just out of curiosity, what is the difference between OneDublin.org and James Morehead? I always have the impression that OneDublin.org is founded and operated by James Morehead.
2:10 PM on March 30th, 2010
Wow, looks like we have a bunch of economic terrorists who call themselves OneDublin. I find it ironic that all the divisive rhetoric have come from this terrorist organization. I think we should make note of the people who have declared themselves as fans of that website and turn their names to DHS, Department of Homeland Security that is. If parents who want more for their kids are not convinced by this latest turn of events that there is no hope for Dublin, I don’t know what will.
4:28 PM on March 30th, 2010
Too little too late, James. You started a fire you cannot put out.
I think DUSD needs to rebrand its anti-charter effort now that it’s been tainted by allegations of economic terrorism. The next step is to find out whether or not the idea came from Superintendent Hanke or Board of Trustees Haubert. Interestingly, Board of Trustees Haubert should be coming up for re-election this year, so I would love to hear why he would support a systematic attack against our local business owners.
John Z., please follow up on this serious matter. An attack against our business community truly is an attack against all of us. I have a feeling some of the Measure C and Measure L money are being used to fund OneDublin’s anti-business efforts. Please submit a public records act request and find out for sure. We taxpayers have a right to know.
8:03 PM on March 30th, 2010
you’re an idiot. don’t think that low.
9:58 PM on March 30th, 2010
Hello Around Dublin Readers – please note that this is not a comment from me.
Thx, John Z.
4:31 PM on March 30th, 2010
I just thought of something else.
Will Dublin City Council be using the money from this expected tax hike against the charter school? Perhaps that’s the real reason they’re raising the tax on us. They need money to fight the charter school.
8:04 PM on March 30th, 2010
another idiot. my first grader can argue better than you.
9:58 PM on March 30th, 2010
Hello Around Dublin Readers – please note that this is not a comment from me.
Thx, John Z.
7:55 PM on March 30th, 2010
cops again. and while their stealing the taxpayers money they laugh behind closed doors and tell each other what suckers the taxpayers in dublin are…dangerous job??? how about the front lines in iraq. what do THOSE guys get paid?
7:56 PM on March 30th, 2010
Google High-Speed Broadband
Can Dublin apply for Google High-Speed Broadband? This will attract a lot of excellent businesses. If needed, Dublin may team up with Pleasanton to do it.
Here is an example of Sunnyvale:
Sunnyvale Applies for Google High-Speed Broadband
http://www.politiconvalley.com/2010/02/sunnyvale-applies-for-google-high-speed.html
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14500761?nclick_check=1
11:04 PM on March 30th, 2010
Interesting stuff. Thanks for the information.
11:16 PM on March 30th, 2010
After reading the stories in the links, I think the best approach would be a joint application for the Tri-Valley cities (Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, Danville). I do not know whether there is any Tri-Valley initiative for this. This could be a very good selling point to attract businesses to Tri-Valley (preferably Dublin).
7:39 AM on March 31st, 2010
Is it true we have someone on the council who lives off alimony and welfare? If she has not had to do an honest day of work, how will she appreciate the real value of money? I think it’s a foregone conclusion how the council is going to go on the issue of taxes.
8:12 AM on March 31st, 2010
C’mon Anonymous, let’s leave the personal stuff out.
Thx, John Z.
1:51 PM on April 1st, 2010
That’s absurd. 2 councilmembers are retired and 3 have jobs. One works for the Sheriff’s Department and 2 work for the school district. No one is on wlefare.
This site is outragous! You all spend so much time spewing attacks that it’s no wonder people are turning away from this site. It’s so easy to attack people who choose to stand and lead. James and the city council do not deserve your hateful attacks. These are members of the community who have chosen to participate in their community. Unlike the majority of people on this site who sit behind their computers and pretend that they know how to lead a grassroots group or a city. It’s easy to be a coward. It’s not easy to be a leader.
2:46 PM on April 1st, 2010
But you didn’t say no one is getting alimony. No need to get all worked up over the comments here. Like someone else said, people are wound up too tight here.
I can see the original commenter’s point. Someone’s life experiences can influence how that person votes. Too bad that point got lost in all that venom and nastiness.
I think John Z. already asked commenters to keep people’s personal lives out of the discussion. Out of respect for him, we should just leave the original comment alone.
3:09 PM on April 1st, 2010
I agree that City Council does not deserve the attacks at all. The whole boycott thing has nothing to do with them.
Mr. Morehead, on the other hand, does deserve some of the attacks, since he initiated the attacks to our local businesses because of his selfish agenda. I have no sympathy for that.
8:30 AM on March 31st, 2010
It’s unfortunate that some people are behaving so childish. It blows me away that several articles now have caused a negative reaction towards police officers and firefighters. You may not like that they have awesome benefits, but don’t bash them. As for someone passing him/herself off as someone else, that’s sad. I wish that John Z. would force people to identify themselves or just shut off the comments section because these articles are not fostering healthy discussions. It’s become this war against the police and firefighters, and the name calling has reached new heights of ridiculousness. Quite frankly, it’s a HUGE turnoff and I don’t want to come back to this blog if it is filled with this much negativity. I will also tell the people who I have recommended this blog to not to come back anymore. John Z., this is your blog and I think you owe it to your readers to stop what’s going on immediately before you lose all credibility.
9:00 AM on March 31st, 2010
Hi Kat – just to be clear, I don’t condone the attacks and jabs taken at our police officers and fire fighters. However, I do think it is reasonable to call into question the amount that the City spends for these services.
Thx, John Z.
4:12 PM on March 31st, 2010
Thank you John and the AD team for spending your free time to put this website together. As a Dublin property owner with no kids I am very interested in the topics you discuss on this website other than education. (Onedublin.org seems to have this covered very well)
4:25 PM on March 31st, 2010
Haha, Pat, you mean OneDublin/DUSD the economic terrorists? I cannot wait for someone to send all their names to the DHS. Wouldn’t that be interesting when some of those haters end up on the terror watch list? I see some very exotic names there…
John, keep doing what you are doing. I like the balanced tone you always strike with your writings. People need to see the data. We need to know the truth about DUSD.
5:06 PM on March 31st, 2010
Just went through the OneDublin fan postings page and saw something interesting. It’s amazing what the InterWeb has on people these days. Why would a French teacher in the Fremont Unified support a boycott against immigrant-run businesses in Dublin. One has to wonder about the employment policies of FUSD.
7:44 PM on March 31st, 2010
Carrie Welsh Stockwell said this on Facebook: “Some people have way too much time on their hands and need to get a life. I don’t understand what the problem is.”
Carrie, I think you’d feel differently if you were being targeted.
8:13 PM on March 31st, 2010
Anonymous at 5:06 PM on March 31st, 2010:
You shouldn’t say anything about posters if you don’t have their background. The French teacher in FUSD is well respected in Dublin, lives in Dublin and has kids in DUSD. I highly doubt her postings have anything to do with her employer and their practices.
6:15 PM on March 31st, 2010
Did anyone really believe James when he said he wouldn’t post here anymore? Me neither.
7:51 AM on April 1st, 2010
Dear Business Owners,
If you are reading this thread, you are probably wondering if Dublin, CA, is the best city to do business in. Please allow me to tell you about one of its neighboring cities in the Tri-Valley.
Located along the I-680 and I-580 corridors, mid-way between Oakland and San Jose, the City of Pleasanton has many strengths. Pleasanton businesses are well-positioned as a portal to serve markets in Nevada and Oregon as well as throughout California. This location gives Pleasanton businesses good access to the sizable markets and resources within the Bay Area.
Pleasanton has a highly-educated and skilled work force. In addition to the diversified regional laborshed, the Pleasanton area has a good base of executive, managerial and professional people. It is a community of highly-educated, highly-skilled individuals. The Pleasanton laborshed extends to an approximate 45 minute commute range which includes the South and East Bay, as well as the Stockton and Modesto areas. Within this laborshed, employers have access to people with a wide range of skill levels including one of the nation’s largest concentrations of scientific and engineering talent.
Pleasanton schools are among the best. Pleasanton schools are known for academic achievement and extracurricular opportunities. Expansion Management Magazine identified the Pleasanton Unified School District as a “Gold Medal” district in its 1997 Education Quotient. Pleasanton’s two middle schools, two high schools and five of the eight elementary schools have been recognized by the State as “California Distinguished Schools”. Pleasanton’s continuation high school received the State Department of Education’s “California Model School Award”. There are a variety of fine private schools in the Tri-Valley as well.
Pleasanton is a safe community. Crime rates in Pleasanton are very low. In particular, violent crimes per capita are significantly lower in Pleasanton than in comparable cities in the region and state.
Pleasanton is a high-profile community with an exceptional quality of life. Pleasanton is an attractive and friendly city with strong heritage, active and involved residents, a wide variety of services and recreational opportunities, well-planned business areas, and an historical downtown. Pleasanton’s quality work force has generated highly committed and involved volunteers in Pleasanton, which also contributes to the City’s fine quality of life.
Finally, the City of Pleasanton has not and will not engage in economic terrorism to shake down local business owners for money. We are a city that abides by the rule of law and civility.
For more information about the City of Pleasanton, please visit:
http://www.ci.pleasanton.ca.us/business/development/
For personal assistance, please contact Pamela Ott, our Economic Development Director, at 925-931-5040. Her email address is pott@ci.pleasanton.ca.us.
12:40 PM on April 3rd, 2010
http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/news/show_story.php?id=3657
11:44 AM on April 5th, 2010
Oh, and if you want to see how well us Pleasanton folks play together on school issues:
http://www.pleasantonweekly.com/square/index.php?i=3&d=1&t=4665
10:33 AM on April 1st, 2010
Now that OneDublin/DUSD/City of Dublin have decided to resort to using immigrant-run businesses as collateral in their effort to stop the charter school, it is understandable that many business owners are growing concerned about their livelihood, especially given the current state of the economy. By the City of Dublin’s own admission, sales tax revenues are down. How in the world can it sanction a boycott against immigrant-run local businesses at a time like this?
As many who follow this blog know, the City of Dublin is not the cheapest place to do business. On top of the sewer fees, business owners have to pay a lot of other licensing fees and additional taxes long before we see that first dollar just to open up shop. To make things worse, the housing bust came at a time when certain business owners never got to see the tenants and home owners they were promised when they signed the lease. We are lucky if we can break even most of the times. I am not writing any of this to garner any sort of sympathy. Times are hard on everyone, not just small business owners. The success rate of most small businesses is not exactly high. Most of us who chose to start our own enterprises are well aware of the risks as well as the rewards. We still go forward, because we are passionate about what we do and love being part of the community we are in. Many of us donate generously to local schools and service organizations, because when our community thrives, we prosper.
Ultimately, it is up to OneDublin/DUSD/City of Dublin to do as it chooses. There is nothing in the books that says economic terrorism in the form of a well organized boycott is against the law. All we can say is that if we are targeted, we just have to be more careful in where we choose to start our business ventures next time. Let our failures be a warning to other businesses who are considering Dublin. My hope is that those calling for a boycott against ANY business in Dublin think long and hard before pulling the trigger, because in the end, you are only hurting the community you are claiming to help.
11:13 AM on April 13th, 2010
This is when the half million dollars community ribbon sculpture in middle of the city sounds so cool (and yes, I am being sarcastic).