Kerry DoughertyThe Irish have a word for what's going on around here.
Begrudgery.
Harboring resentment toward the rich and successful.
No sooner had The Pilot reported that Virginia Beach-based developers Steve and Art Sandler might be having some financial difficulties - they're behind on their taxes, liens have been filed and some projects seem to be on hold - than bands of begrudgers began shaking their tiny fists.
How the mighty have fallen, they gloated.
What goes around comes around, others huffed.
Why don't they take that hard-luck song and dance and put it on stage at the Sandler Center? another sniped.
OK, I had a similar reaction. I couldn't help myself. Especially when I read that the developers had sold their Gulfstream. Leaving their company with only two private jets.
Cue the violins.
Look, we ought to stifle our instinctive begrudgery and worry about these two guys. Even if we don't know them. Even if they are loaded.
Think about it.
Their company, L.M. Sandler & Sons Inc., has plans to build more than 1,000 homes in one Virginia Beach project. If the project is scaled back, hundreds of laborers will be idle, building suppliers will lose business, and local real estate values will continue their downward trajectory.
Tough times are relative, of course. For those with three jets, two might be a hardship. For ordinary folks, tough times means trying to figure out how to fill the tank and buy groceries.
The sooner swells like the Sandlers are awash in dough again, the sooner the rest of us will be able to relax.
We can, however, begrudge them one thing: Their family name on the Resort City's new performing arts center. Especially now that we know their city taxes are past due.
There's only one reason it's called the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts. Actually there are five million reasons: that $5 million the brothers pledged to name it in honor of their parents.
Oddly enough, we don't even know if they've ponied up the dough. The foundation in charge of managing the center's millions in private contributions is keeping the information secret.
Outrageous. Yet, the Sandler family has an impressive tradition of philanthropy. Let's just assume they're good for it.
As big as their contribution is, it's nothing compared to what's being underwritten by the city's taxpaying schlumps. The public's on the hook for $35 million.
Seems to me the 1,300-seat shrine to culture ought to be called the People's Performing Arts Center.
Better yet, The Schlump Center at Town Center.
Really now, who could begrudge us that?
Kerry Dougherty, (757) 446-2306, kerry.dougherty@cox.net
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get over it!
I think it is sickening that people can meddle in your personal business.Who cares if they own planes and had to sell one. Companies buy and sell their assets all the time. The only people I here crying about the planes is the people who wrote the story (so they could create a feeling of resentment or jealosy towards the Sandlers) and the people posting blogs. Gosh...does the pilot have anything else to write about. I am curious as to how many other local developers are behind on taxes or are feeling the effects of the slow economy. As far as the taxes go, these people have been in business for a long time. I am sure they will catch up on everything. They are one month behind in twenty years. Give them a break. Everybody has hard times. How would you feel if all of Hampton Roads was breathing down your neck if you were late on your taxes. I wish people would stop being so hateful and wishing ill feelings upon others.
stop the presses
I filed bankruptcy in 1996. Stop the presses.
Suggestion: If you post to Pilotonline blogs, your financial situation should be posted here. That way, we can all ridicule you when things don't go your way. fair is fair, right?
BTW: Sandlers, pay your darn taxes!
jmo
Who could've predicted.....
that Kerry would write this column.....
Oh..... I did in the last Sandler comment section..... ROFL!!
Nice to know her search for column fodder takes so much time....right off the front page.....sheesh.
Maybe she should search the tax rolls and truly report the effect of the economy on ALL the taxpayers....
The good ole fishwrapper..... gotta love it.
Wonder when she'll join our old buddies Kay and Dave on the beach in retirement.....
If I were the "judge" of that date, it'd be sooner than later I tell ya.....
Sandlers Privacy
Why does the public think they have a right to know about someone's personal finances. Sure tax information is public information - seems no one is interested in all the other delinquents. If you remember, folks were complaining about R.G. Moore building "cookie cutter" homes and creating the "slums of the future". He provided homes for people that could not afford a home otherwise; and created millions of dollars in annual tax revenue. My point is why must the developer be viewed as the bad guy? The Sandlers (like R.G. Moore) are good citizens.
The problem is twofold
Kerry, I think the problem is the rather passive attitude of John Atkinson who seemed unconcered with the Sandlers being behind when compared to the city's strong-arm tactics when we peasents are past due.
I guess when you owe $350.00, it's more critical to Atkinson that we collect that faster than the $35,000,000 the Sandlers owe.
I didn't pony up millions for a performing arts center most didn't even want, but I have helped the city save THOUSANDS of taxpayer dollars on pet food and cat litter, but I don't get a pass on my late taxes.
The second part of the problem is, the preferental treatment the developers get when it comes to just about everything else, too.
You go, girl!
I can't add a thing except that I am expecting one of the foundation members will anonymously talk to the press if the Sandlers have not actually given the $5 million for naming rights. Otherwise, I am going to pledge $5 million for Pembroke Mall to be renamed for me ! Cheers, MGM
Right again, Kerri
The fact that the public is on the hook for $35 million is absolutely criminal. Yet another reason the city owes us a HUGE tax decrease.