What is going on?! (Greenville: loan, schools, budget)

[gmward]

I have lived in Greenville for over twenty years. Honestly, the mistakes made by builders and planners for the Greenville Council don't really give much room to dispute why Greenville is the way it is now. I have watched Greenville go from a very small town to a large wannabe city. The first and biggest problem is that so many planners want Greenville to just grow and grow, but yet all of the roads stay the exact same. Have you been on Woodruff lately? It's a mad house. Second problem is the downtown area. Greenville planners take all of the money and shove it into making a beautiful downtown park area but forget about the rest of Greenville funding, like making an effort to deport illegals so that every other person in Greenville isn't running around without insurance. Third problem is that people are constantly talking about how great Greenville is and how they moved here and just love it and how there are plenty of jobs. Everyone must be an engineer or a doctor, b/c that is what Greenville seems to thrive on. Last time I checked while driving, every other person besides me and around the area drove a gas guzzling SUV range rover or something similar who have lived here probably less than a year. Give it another few months and you'll be wishing you never moved here. If Greenville has so many jobs, then why is the unemployment rate at its highest point in Greenville in over three years. It's great for people who graduated from Clemson since they seem to carry the best education with them and live off their parents' money. The whole point is that Greenville "used" to be a great small town with charm to live in, but unless you live downtown in a nice condo, don't care about the fact that parks are the only thing going for Greenville besides the new rise of gangs in the area, and don't mind the lack of "nice" people that used to live here b/c they all moved away, then by all means come on down. Hey, we don't even have enough cops or funding to provide for a safe environment for families to hang out at Falls Park anymore. Greenville waits until it's too late, almost like employers who "never" respond to emails, and then wonder why some kid walking with his parents gets knocked down amongst a group of teens overcrowding the Falls Park area. Before you respond, the responses like "well, just move if you don't like it," or "it's just your perception" are just as immature and naive as my message. But guess what? I don't care and I have a right b/c I know what Greenville used to be. On a side note, we do have great restaurants. For people looking to move here b/c we are apparently so great, just know that we have the worst allergy rating in the country, we really don't have four seasons (just hot and rainy/cold), and we have some of the most stubborn people that respond on this site to add their 10 cents and then go back to their great lifestyle wishing to live in our wonderful town. One last kicker. You wonder why Greenville has lost its Southern charm. It could be the fact that BMW and Michelin have provided us with such wonderful French and German influences that come from the most depressing and self-infatuated personality toilet bowls in the world.

[Greenville]

Originally Posted by gmward

I have lived in Greenville for over twenty years. Honestly, the mistakes made by builders and planners for the Greenville Council don't really give much room to dispute why Greenville is the way it is now. I have watched Greenville go from a very small town to a large wannabe city. The first and biggest problem is that so many planners want Greenville to just grow and grow, but yet all of the roads stay the exact same. Have you been on Woodruff lately? It's a mad house. Second problem is the downtown area. Greenville planners take all of the money and shove it into making a beautiful downtown park area but forget about the rest of Greenville funding, like making an effort to deport illegals so that every other person in Greenville isn't running around without insurance. Third problem is that people are constantly talking about how great Greenville is and how they moved here and just love it and how there are plenty of jobs. Everyone must be an engineer or a doctor, b/c that is what Greenville seems to thrive on. Last time I checked while driving, every other person besides me and around the area drove a gas guzzling SUV range rover or something similar who have lived here probably less than a year. Give it another few months and you'll be wishing you never moved here. If Greenville has so many jobs, then why is the unemployment rate at its highest point in Greenville in over three years. It's great for people who graduated from Clemson since they seem to carry the best education with them and live off their parents' money. The whole point is that Greenville "used" to be a great small town with charm to live in, but unless you live downtown in a nice condo, don't care about the fact that parks are the only thing going for Greenville besides the new rise of gangs in the area, and don't mind the lack of "nice" people that used to live here b/c they all moved away, then by all means come on down. Hey, we don't even have enough cops or funding to provide for a safe environment for families to hang out at Falls Park anymore. Greenville waits until it's too late, almost like employers who "never" respond to emails, and then wonder why some kid walking with his parents gets knocked down amongst a group of teens overcrowding the Falls Park area. Before you respond, the responses like "well, just move if you don't like it," or "it's just your perception" are just as immature and naive as my message. But guess what? I don't care and I have a right b/c I know what Greenville used to be. On a side note, we do have great restaurants. For people looking to move here b/c we are apparently so great, just know that we have the worst allergy rating in the country, we really don't have four seasons (just hot and rainy/cold), and we have some of the most stubborn people that respond on this site to add their 10 cents and then go back to their great lifestyle wishing to live in our wonderful town. One last kicker. You wonder why Greenville has lost its Southern charm. It could be the fact that BMW and Michelin have provided us with such wonderful French and German influences that come from the most depressing and self-infatuated personality toilet bowls in the world.

Welcome to the forum. You made a smashing first impression.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by gmward

...Before you respond, the responses like ... "it's just your perception" are just as immature and naive as my message. But guess what? I don't care and I have a right b/c I know what Greenville used to be ... we really don't have four seasons (just hot and rainy/cold)...

That last sentence is completely your own perception. Do you ever step outdoors during the autumn months??? There is extremely small comparison between our typical weather in October/November, January/February, March/April, and July/August.

[Skyliner]

Originally Posted by gmward

I have lived in Greenville for over twenty years. Honestly, the mistakes made by builders and planners for the Greenville Council don't really give much room to dispute why Greenville is the way it is now. I have watched Greenville go from a very small town to a large wannabe city.

Greenville is not a large city, nor does it aspire to be anything that it cannot be. There is however, a steady understanding of the city's growth potential that is constantly directed by visionary leadership and public influence ensuring successful positive changes continue to occur at the right times.

Originally Posted by gmward

The first and biggest problem is that so many planners want Greenville to just grow and grow, but yet all of the roads stay the exact same. Have you been on Woodruff lately? It's a mad house.

I agree that Woodruff Road is a great example of an unbridled and improperly planned pattern of suburban growth. If you look and listen to the City planners, it should be clear that they understand the situation and have plans to ease the traffic conditions. Honestly, even the worst traffic on Woodruff Road is not nearly as difficult as you typically find in any large city.

Originally Posted by gmward

Second problem is the downtown area. Greenville planners take all of the money and shove it into making a beautiful downtown park area but forget about the rest of Greenville funding, like making an effort to deport illegals so that every other person in Greenville isn't running around without insurance.

You would be one of a handful of people who believe that the City has "wasted" money on revitalizing a decaying Downtown. For the record, downtown was completely dead when the suburban market was sprawling, when Greenville was a truly a small city - the one you seem to be missing.

Originally Posted by gmward

Third problem is that people are constantly talking about how great Greenville is and how they moved here and just love it and how there are plenty of jobs. Everyone must be an engineer or a doctor, b/c that is what Greenville seems to thrive on. Last time I checked while driving, every other person besides me and around the area drove a gas guzzling SUV range rover or something similar who have lived here probably less than a year. Give it another few months and you'll be wishing you never moved here. If Greenville has so many jobs, then why is the unemployment rate at its highest point in Greenville in over three years. It's great for people who graduated from Clemson since they seem to carry the best education with them and live off their parents' money.

The economy is not at its best in at least 90% of the United States today, so the fact that Greenville remains one of the strongest job markets in the state, even though unemployment rose slightly since last month, should not be surprising. If you sincerely think everyone other than yourself drives an SUV, you may need to have your vision checked.

Originally Posted by gmward

The whole point is that Greenville "used" to be a great small town with charm to live in, but unless you live downtown in a nice condo, don't care about the fact that parks are the only thing going for Greenville besides the new rise of gangs in the area, and don't mind the lack of "nice" people that used to live here b/c they all moved away, then by all means come on down. Hey, we don't even have enough cops or funding to provide for a safe environment for families to hang out at Falls Park anymore. Greenville waits until it's too late, almost like employers who "never" respond to emails, and then wonder why some kid walking with his parents gets knocked down amongst a group of teens overcrowding the Falls Park area. Before you respond, the responses like "well, just move if you don't like it," or "it's just your perception" are just as immature and naive as my message. But guess what? I don't care and I have a right b/c I know what Greenville used to be. On a side note, we do have great restaurants. For people looking to move here b/c we are apparently so great, just know that we have the worst allergy rating in the country, we really don't have four seasons (just hot and rainy/cold), and we have some of the most stubborn people that respond on this site to add their 10 cents and then go back to their great lifestyle wishing to live in our wonderful town. One last kicker. You wonder why Greenville has lost its Southern charm. It could be the fact that BMW and Michelin have provided us with such wonderful French and German influences that come from the most depressing and self-infatuated personality toilet bowls in the world.

Those are personal opinions, each of which I completely disagree with. Southern charm is alive and well in Greenville today. Falls Park is not unsafe in any way, which is why I find the continuation of this discussion rather silly. Don't complain. I dare you to get out there and enjoy yourself in this city.

[carolinapride]

Originally Posted by g-vegas

I labeled this thread " whats going on" because I have lived here for 22 years and have never seen 200+ teens hangin out in one spot with 10 cops watching them. And as I stated earlier, I witnessed 3 very large fights, so yes they are doing more than just hanging out. Crime and Gangs have to start somewhere, and in this case boredom and fighting will lead to something more. Unless you are totally blind, nobody should have to ask why I brought this thread up.

Gee,I'm so sorry I offened you with my honest comments made from reading through 5 pages of your thread and seeing nothing significant to even justify bringing this up as a real issue for fellow memberes to even comment on.From the beginning,you did not even mention the "3 very largr fights"that you speak of now.Also, the different numberes of teens hanging out I believe 150,300,and now you say 200 teens hanging out in one spot with 10 cops watching them.If this is the case that there are so many teens hanging out on Main Street and especially at or near places of business or private property with cops watching them,I would agree they are loitering and the police observing them are not doing there job.Sir,I was just saying in my post based on what I had read from otheres,I did't see the real issue if the teens were just merely hanging out togather but not harming anyone and for your information,I have excellent sight and intelligence,just calling it like I see it.Well maybe now with the curfew in place everybody can rest at ease.The truth is,there is no safe haven anywhere,and hate to bust your bubble,but that goes for Greenville too.

[Mrs. P]

Originally Posted by The Drizzle

I don't doubt that many major cities have curfews and pan handling laws. But think about it. If someone wants to commit a crime, meaning that they are already intent on breaking the law, why would they not commit a crime due to another law being in place? I doubt many people would say "I want to go downtown and break something. Oh wait, I can't. It's 11 and if I go out now, it will be against the law." Curfews may help some, but it's not going to solve anything in the long run. Plus, you are discriminating against a certain age bracket. I'm sure that the percentage of "thugs" versus "non-thugs" is really small, yet you want to punish everyone under a certain age for what their miss-guided counterparts do?

Personally, I find it unenjoyable when I want to sit at a bar and have a drink after a long day and I have to sit there next to a family with thier small child running around (and yes, this has happened at EVERY bar and/or resturaunt I've been to downtown). Since I find this unenjoyable, why not ban children from bars? The point is, just because I don't like something that doesn't mean everyone will feel the same way. I have to accept that the status quo may over rule my personal preferance and move on to bigger and better things.

sigh....when the curfew laws were put on books, the child was detained, and the parents were called. Most went home with a warning...2nd and third offenses would and did result with some court time, fines, and in a few cases where the offending teens committed crime over and over? The blame was fully put on the parent. I guess it's this....someone asked a question about what was going on...a few people responded with suggestions. I lived in a big city, I lived in a city with 40,000, before living in SC, some of the cities had curfews and some didn't. I found the cities with the curfews had a lot less vandelism...especially after some parents were hauled down to the station a few times.

It's sad that one would have to ask the city to be baby sitters for parents, but having a curfew and FINING the parents when curfew was broken, made a lot of so-so parents, sit up and make sure their kids were home....hit 'em in the pocketbook. Amazing how many parents started keeping track of their kids in the evening.

I'm not sure you understand a city curfew. Children can be out with a parent or legal guardian, or relative.

Whatever, it seems your city agreed after all.

[etjaipleure]

Lots of cities have curfews. If it does any good at all, it's hard to say. Unless a cop actually pulls you over, checks your id, notes the time...blah blah blah. Nothing much will happen. Now, if we lived in a time like V for Vendetta, well then things would be different Also, in my previous post, I was being sarcastic when I said a curfew would help with loitering. There is a shortage of cops in the Greenville area and the city does not have enough money to fund them...which seems kinda ridiculous, but whatever...so I don't think making kids go home is a top priority right now. Downtown will always be crowded no matter what.

[gmward]

I'm homeless by the way; I have access from the library. Kind of hard to enjoy the city when you don't have money wouldn't you say? I would also state that people who come on here to respond saying ,"oh it's just your perception" probably have never been homeless before. went to college, couldn't pay loans, now I'm on the streets; Greenville doesn't do much for homeless people here because it categorizes us with meth heads and prostitutes.

[motonenterprises]

Originally Posted by gmward

It is kind of funny when you think about the work some people do out in the hot sun for 10/hr and then you see a job posting for Greenville County Schools to fulfill a position monitoring school buses and checking schedules for $70,000/yr. Man, is it me, or does Greenville need to prioritize its education funding; maybe then teens would have something better to do then to crowd around downtown and talk about who is having sex with who and how much weed they are going to smoke later.

No disrespect, but I have never had a problem finding a job and I only have a small degree. It may not be what you want, but you can find a job even if its working at McDonald's my friend.

[OconeeMountains]

That is something to Thank God for in America in general. A big blessing for our country...may it ever be.