tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117455539289623436.post642231330187264894..comments2023-11-03T03:20:24.039-05:00Comments on Grinders Island: Doomsday Clock ticks downRodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01932711236857676894noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117455539289623436.post-67310476700965151012016-09-27T15:39:35.828-05:002016-09-27T15:39:35.828-05:00Well -- "Sandye runs this town. If you want A...Well -- "Sandye runs this town. If you want ANYTHING done in Columbus, you have to go through Sandye Adams."<br /><br />She told me that one day towards the end. Not too hard to figure out why feelings about them changed before they left.Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556493089372277491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117455539289623436.post-36819967674884355932016-09-27T13:20:28.683-05:002016-09-27T13:20:28.683-05:00Actually they did come to the city to have the loa...Actually they did come to the city to have the loan reworked, it would not have saved their business but only prolonged it for another 6 months though. <br /><br />I actually blame the city for their over leverage. Let's be clear - NOBODY currently in office was around when that sweet loan deal was given (which was ludicrous and I am proud that the current and semi-past council members have things under control). <br /><br />We blamed the banks didn't we for giving out loans they NEW were bad. We didn't blame the people who took the sweet too good to turn down offers and then walked away. What is the difference. <br /><br />OH - they were horrible at running a business (it would have been SO FREAKING easy to fix but stubbornness got in the way) and they would have gone belly up for sure. The blame SHOULD go both ways. The former government gave them a deal they could not turn down. ANd really the hatred started before they left town, not after. <br /><br />I KNEW that would rile you up my friend :-) <br /><br />The past is the past - that has been on my mind for a year and I had to get it out. You can disagree and that is fine, now that I said it I'm good to move on. <br /><br /> <br />Rodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01932711236857676894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5117455539289623436.post-54402267732962367682016-09-27T10:55:19.509-05:002016-09-27T10:55:19.509-05:00Rod -- while Aaron and Sandye did try to run a suc...Rod -- while Aaron and Sandye did try to run a successful business, they simply couldn't generate enough revenue to make the debt payments. Simply put, they were over-leveraged. Part of being a responsible business owner is figuring out how to navigate those cash-flow issues. Neither of them approached the City to rework the terms of the loan, but clearly they knew it was being discussed. While I agree with your sentiments about giving folks a hand when they need it, one has to understand when they need help. At the time, I was already considering options such as amortizing the loan for 10 years instead of 5, which could have effectively cut their loan payments in half. However -- the burden of getting that accomplished is on the proprietor. They chose to simply ignore the problem and stop making payments.<br /><br />The City never called the loan -- you know that. Nobody other than the Adams were "at fault" for the failure of the business. I know there are a lot of people who refer to themselves as "orphans" of The Hydro Street Brewing Company -- grieving what was once a wonderful meeting place. There seems to be no regret or self-reflection among these folks, however, regarding the nature in which the owners left -- leaving the City of Columbus holding the bag for their failed experiment. Make no mistake, every citizen in this city paid a little bit for Aaron and Sandye to pursue their dream, and what they received in return was a slap in the face.<br /><br />That's why people were upset, Rod. It wasn't just wild-eyed disdain for the poor, or a personal vendetta against Aaron and Sandye. It's about character and living up to an agreement. It's about living up to your word. <br /><br />The way those two left really told me that their word meant nothing.Clarkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02556493089372277491noreply@blogger.com