The Regent Center: Empty Words
On November 22, 2011, Terry Curry, Chairman of the Brandon Community Advantage Center, Inc., better known as The Regent Center, sent a letter to the Board of County Commissioners. In it, Ms. Curry stated that a public meeting was being scheduled for December, 2011. None was held. Ms. Curry stated that monthly art exhibits of local artists would begin in January, 2012.
I have been on the Regent’s website: Experience the Regent, no monthly art exhibits have been listed on the events calendar.
The Regent Center cost the taxpayers 7 million dollars to build it. It was supposed to be a hurricane shelter for special needs people and a community center. So far, it has not been listed on the Hillsborough County’s website as a special needs shelter.
I won’t go into all the problems associated with The Regent Center. Google: "The Regent Center" and read the articles and view the news clips for summaries of the multiple problems. The common refrain from the Regent Board is: "Give us time. We are just starting." Well, it has been a year. And, I might add, it was supposed to be a special needs shelter at the completion of the building. Hmm. Not yet there either.
At the end of Ms. Curry’s letter to the Board of County Commissioners, she stated that if they (the Board) would call (813) 571-2494, either she or Kristen Kerr would get back to them immediately. I think it is about time that the Regent Center got back to the public with actions, not words. If you agree with me, call the number and state that or call the Board of County Commissioners at (813) 272-5660. Tell the Commissioners that we, the taxpayers, deserve actions not empty words.
Jery Elliott
5:36 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I have been reading about this place in both the newspaper and on Patch for the past year and it seems as though public interest has wained. Though Ms. Belcher enjoys beating the last dying breath out of this dying horse. Unfortunately I have never understood what her point is; let alone what makes her such an self-supposed expert on the management of such a facility or the development of the sorts of programs she wants to see at this facility. So please tell us Elizabeth, WHY exactly do you have such a bug up your butt? Perhaps more importantly - if you were in charge of The Regent Center, what would you do differently?
Elizabeth Belcher
12:26 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
I really don't think that what is "up my butt" is anyone's business. I volunteered for the board at the first public meeting. I was meet with smirks. At the second public meeting, a male was invited to join the board. I was ignored. And, no, I am not an expert at running at running the facility but I am a taxpayer who is appalled at the way the taxpayer's money was spent and think that since that the taxpayers paid for it , the taxpayers have the right to know exactly what was spent and how.
Jery Elliott
2:43 pm on Thursday, February 16, 2012
Asking what is up your butt is a figure-of-speech. And it is our business (but not literally) because you have been pursuing these questions of the Regent in a very public manner. You are asking questions about the motives and methods of the Regent board in a public forum and therefore should be prepared to be asked questions about your motives and methods as well. That seems only fair .. right?
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So, the first thing you would like is to be on the board of the Regent. I have not been to any of the Regent public meetings so I do not know how the conversations went or how you handled yourself in the meeting. Therefore I cannot offer suggestions or make comments.
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I do understand that you have asked for and recieved all of the documents connected to the financing and construction of the building. There must be hundreds (if not thousands) of pages of financial information, building proposals, construction and vendor contracts, State and Federal regulations, disclosures and updates.
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Are you reviewing them? Will these documents inform you (and then us) of "exactly what was spent and how"? Will you eventually submit a report to -whomever- of your findings?
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And then what? What is your terminal goal? Do you want the building shut down? Do you want to see members of the board got to jail? Do you want to see even more changes to the processes that built the place? Do you want a job managing the building? Do you want money refunded to the taxpayers? What??
Jery Elliott
10:08 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012
So I see that Scottrey has hi-talied it out of here (but seems to have simple changed his name to S Lee or D Leigh). He/She/It and Elizabeth don't seemt o be ready to comment on the new lower rate structure at The Regent or the art shows that have been there recently. How sad, they get what they want and now have nothing to complain about.
Scottrey
7:00 am on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Listen child (Jerrrry) I know your mommy and daddy must have got you a new computer and allowed you to use the internet without supervision but some of us work for a living. Without taxes from people like me and others, people like you would not be able to look for your handouts that obama promised.
Now get over your fascination with me, I may need a restraining order against you.
Scottrey
7:02 am on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Also, I do not care about the Regent, only commented once on this before you started your tirade. Also, I do not use any other name here.
Jery Elliott
2:32 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
At least I know who my parents are, Scottrey.
Scottrey
5:13 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
Seriously? I know I kid you about being juvenile but that was the most childish comment yet. That is even beneath you. And you wonder why some people flat out ignore you?
Jery Elliott
9:45 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
Bite me grandpa .... how's THAT for juvenile. Good luck with that restraining order.
Elizabeth Belcher
11:40 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012
Actually, I was busy doing volunteer work. But, I am glad that the Regent Center has started to do something that addresses their main mission of being a communtiy center.
Jery Elliott
2:31 pm on Sunday, March 4, 2012
I am happy to hera that you do other work in the community besides ranting and raving about projects that are outside of your personal control and level of understanding. I hope you take Scottrey along to keep his mind active.