Our Say: Nonprofit economic development outfit proving its worth

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Test cases for gov't accountability - 2011-07-08 17:21:51

In the information technology world, we run test cases to demonstrate we met our requirements. I think we should start doing the same process for government success. The format has these general columns: Requirement, test procedure(s), expected outcome, observed outcome, pass/fail. I think we could modify this to: Goal, expected outcome, observed outcome, pass/fail. Simple and easy to determine the value of government initiatives. :-)

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Steve K - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

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Writing... - 2011-07-07 16:36:06

I am skeptical of their value just on the basis of the writing skills (i.e. "There was a lot of skepticism"..."a half year of operation, etc"). Why do we need yet another non-profit to wade through the city government's crud? This country was based on a free market economy - let's keep it that way.

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Lola Chuddles - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Continuing the Discussion - 2011-07-07 14:10:09

This column came just a few days after the Saturday piece on the same topic by AEDC's chief. My reaction to that piece, I think, is relevant here in this discussion.
-I knew I was in for an fantasy ride when in the 2nd sentence of Lara Fritts column (Saturday July 2nd) on the fledgling Annapolis Economic Development Corporation she wrote that she cannot be more excited about all that has been accomplished since the groups inception in January of this year. My fears were confirmed in the next paragraph when Ms. Fritts extolled the mundane act of filling out IRS corporate status forms as a major accomplishment for AEDC. The column went downhill from there with the following smiley face corporate buzzwords littered throughout: passionate (2 times), strong working relationships, significant contributions, constructive dialogue, tool box, road map, pipeline, one stop, share good news and ongoing education. And of course, Ms. Fritts included the now all too familiar Twitter, a Facebook page and Linked-in group lest AEDC find itself outside the now serial requirement of social media engagement in every aspect of our lives, personal and professional.
-I know the city faces great challenges due in part to the actions of the current city leadership of which Ms. Fritts is now a part. Everyone wants the city to prosper. I would suggest however that she wait until something concrete has been accomplished before telling us how wonderful her group is.
and the web.

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Ed Connors - , - Karma: Neutral

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Jim - 2011-07-07 09:33:42

Agreed that government has a certain role in establishing the rules of the game and providing appropriate regulations, so as to contain excess in the free marketplace that could harm the public as a whole.

However, government has gone beyond that with the misplaced thought that government actually "creates" jobs and businesses. Even more, government has in some cases taken over private sector jobs - everything from car making (GM) to health care, Fannie and Freddie and locally, things like health clubs. It has been shown time and time again that government control eliminates market forces, producing an inferior or unwanted product at an enromous cost.

Government should set the stage, and quit trying to be one of the players.

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Bob McWilliams - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

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What's the Difference - 2011-07-07 07:22:48

Annapolis Chamber of Commerce - Serve as a Strong and Respected Advocate for Business
The Chamber is actively engaged at all levels of government representing the business community on many issues impacting our economy, public education, regulations, land-use, taxes & fees, public infrastructure, healthcare costs, transportation, workforce development, affordable housing and quality of life in our state capital of Annapolis
Serve as an Excellent Resource for Business
The Chamber seeks to be a one-stop resource for its members and those in the community seeking to start a business or relocate a business to our region.
Assist Businesses in Growing their Customer Base
The Chamber provides extensive opportunities for it members to network among each other and to promote business development in our region.

Annapolis Business Association -
Mission Statement
The Annapolis Business Association is a non-profit consortium of businesses and individuals with the shared interest of maintaining and improving the climate for conducting business in Annapolis.

AEDC -
Our Purpose
We work in partnership with the business community, city government and residents to retain, expand and attract business to the City of Annapolis.

Sure sounds like duplicative efforts to me...

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Paul Newman - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Corporate Welfare!! - 2011-07-07 03:44:16

They are doing nothing, the local Chamber of Commerce is not supposed to do. But, then again, the chamber has its own dues structure and is independent of govt. $400,000 for two years, and then some. It is a waste of money for taxpayers. In addition, the business community has another voice to influence govt, while the people pay the freight and are put at a disadvantage once again. Show us the money. And what companies didn't leave town. We should have a list. And by the way, since funded by the govt, all documents are SUBJECT to "public information" access, or is that the real rub: an independent non-profit spending taxpayer dollars and no taxpayer accountability!!

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Maryellen Brady - Edgewater, MD - Karma: Terrible

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Hi Bob... - 2011-07-06 12:02:46

... I'm all for government getting out of the way of business, except that assumes there is equal power between buyer and seller, employer and employee, small company and international conglomerate, etc. We know that's not true. That's why we have child labor laws, product safety laws, worker safety rules. We could just let the market rule and all workers would go to the safest employers and the others would go out of business. And that's just nonsense.

We need a balance of government involvement and free market influences. Government needs to be as unintrusive as possible but to say they should stay out of the way is just as wrong as saying they should be involved in every business decision an owner has to make.

Case in point. I believe you're about my age so you should remember the explode-on-impact Ford Pinto of the mid-1970's. I had to defend Ford in a business ethics case when I was in school. I learned that Ford made an economic decision that it was cheaper to pay millions of dollars to the families of the accident victims than it was to recall all the vehicles and redesign the fuel system at a cost of less than a hundred dollars per vehicle. The Pinto's gone but Ford is still in business so the free market system really didn't serve the victims' families very well, did it?

That's why we need a balance. And smarter people would be a help also. BTW, I remember I got a lousy grade on that assignment.

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Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Proof? - 2011-07-05 19:35:41

Show us the money!

Let's see what was done, that wouldn't be done if the government would just get out of the way.

A web site, hiring people and yet another government organization is irrelevant.

Let's see results that exceed the cost. That has yet to be shown.

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Bob McWilliams - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Terrible

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Proof - 2011-07-05 18:24:49

We laud the stated goals, new business, retaining business and advocating best practices new efficiencies. This commission was founded last June, they've received over $800,000 since July 2010. Lots of impressive members, great. Where is the return. AEDC ran interference on permitting. What specific changes were made to City procedure to cure the issues? AEDC spoke with 60 and helped 15 business, to do what? There is still and Small & Minority business Enterprise division in Mayor's office. 6 months gathering data on rents, vacancy rates...? This can be found in most realtor offices. Where are required quarterly and annual reports. If this AEDC cannot show a return on citizen's tax dollars, ($400,000 a year and grant money), it should be revisited.

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harry trampolini - severna park, MD - Karma: Excellent

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Not the govt's job - 2011-07-05 15:44:31

Like I said, it should be the Annapolis Business Association http://bit.ly/iIFT2b that handles this not the city government. By the way talking numbers at almost 1 million dollars since it was created what has AEDC done for annapolis???

And yes I expect him to hire his enemies....better yet, how about (don't believe I'm agreeing with McWilliams here) he doesn't hire ANYONE for an agency that Annapolis doesn't need.

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J J - Annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent

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AEDC - 2011-07-05 14:06:55

"AEDC has done Nothing to help Annapolis."

I see this type of complaint all the time and I wonder is this just another rant about mixing government and business or do these types of organizations pay for themselves by attracting new businesses.

I would think, at least in theory, that these organizations should help attract business. I don't think a company just wakes up one day and decides to relocate to Annapolis. Do these organizations help promote the local economy and help the business owner navigate the myriad of bureaucracy in establishing a business in Annapolis? Do most municipalities have these types of organizations and do you need one just because everyone else has one and to not have one would put you at a competitive disadvantage?

I'm not advocating for or against this organization. I would like to know if there is any objective analysis on whether this type of organization is beneficial. Not the usual "this is where the mayor finds jobs for all his friends" rant. Who do you expect him to hire, his enemies?

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Jim Denora - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

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AEDC - 2011-07-05 12:56:27

AEDC has done Nothing to help Annapolis. It is another instance of Cohen trying to give jobs to his friends.

If they're so up on things and bringing business into annapolis and preventing them from leaving then how did they not even know that WRNR was leaving???

Eliminate AEDC, save the city some money and have the various business associations do their job's themselves.

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J J - Annapolis, md - Karma: Excellent