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	Name:	Catherine -
	Subject:	It is hard to "hear" emphasis
	Date:	1/3/2009 1:41:05 AM

on a messageboard. What many interpret as "mean-spirited" is actually sarcasm and my naturally smart@ssed" personality.

Its late, so I will answer your questions better later this weekend, but over the last 5-6 years Russell Lands has been rapidly abandoning the philosophies that made it successfull in its early years. In the first 30 years of its existence, customer service was the only thing that mattered. Now, it is the last concern. The sale is all that matters, and the relationships after that are viewed as a burden and not an asset.

One of the most concerning things to me is epitomized by the Lake City scam. Mark my words that they WILL get their City, and you and I will have NO SAY in its creation or its administration. We will wake up one day and the Outlook will tell us that we are in a new City, with new tax authorities, and there will be nothing we can do to change it without years of effort and millions of dollars. "Lake City" HAS to become a reality because Russell Lands HAS to get out of Alexander City. They see the tide of public percpetion turning against them, and it is demonstrated in the ever decreasing (though slightly) support and influence they give and receive to and from the City, and more noticeably, the citizens. I believe the Bass Pro and Lowes fiascos took a toll on Russell Lands' relationship with the new government in Alex City, and the Home Depot opening signaled that a change had occurred. It also was one of the very few things to happen in this town that Russell Lands couldn't control, and that is something they have never handled or reacted to well at all.

In the past several months, Russell Lands has made arrangements to leverage ALL of their property South of Hwy 63. The money they will borrow will be used to create Russell Crossroads, which is planned to encompass FAR MORE than just the 3-4 buildings that are there now. Russell Crossroads will be the beginning, and the heart of Lake City, with new roads stretching East and West from Pitchford Hollow and beyond, through Willow Point, through the Crossroads, and on into the Ridge, and Windermere. Hwy 63 will also be improved (at taxpayer cost in addition to Russell Lands investment) to run through the Crossroads as well (Lake City). "LAke City" will also include several upscale developments, similar to the Ridge but with larger, nicer houses. That is the vision of Lake City. It does not accomodate the cabins, and they all will be removed as each area is developed.

The vision of Lake City is based upon Aspen, Vail, and The Highlands. I sat in meetings where I heard firsthand the primaries involved stating that they wanted to create an elite community like those, and to "run out" those who couldn't afford it, to Logan Martin, Tallassee, Jordan, and other nearby, "less desireable" lakes. (Those quotes are accurate).

But now the economy is headed for depression, so a massive wrench has been thrown into the plan.

Anyway, this is getting long and it is late, so with that in mind, think about this until I can post more:

Why would they want to create their own city?

Do you think it is truly to monitor and control the aesthetic architectural composition of the properties? Remember, THEY already own all the property, and THEY will write all the covenants for those developments, so that obviously isn't it. Will having their own city help them sell more homes/lots? Nope. Some ammenities might, but not a city, with additional taxes and fees for water, sewer, and whatever else they put in.

Follow the money. You can only sell a piece of land that you own one time, but you can collect taxes and utilities on it forever, and you can raise them whenever you need to, IF you control the governing authority.

Tip of the iceberg. More to follow.