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MyspaceMegamillionaire Rick Caruso wants an $18 million subsidy from cash strapped Santa Barbara County taxpayers otherwise the Miramar project may not get off the ground.
What if a non mega-millionaire homeowner threatened not to add a room or two to their home unless they received a 10-year property tax holiday? If the homeowner didn’t think it was possible to pay the additional taxes on a reassessed property then they’d have to sell to someone who could. Caruso should do the same. If the 10% transient-occupancy tax decreases the value of the Miramar property then he’ll have to discount the price for the new owner.
Caruso is a sharp businessman. He knows it’s a lot easier to pick the county’s pocket than make money the old-fashioned way. – Nick Tripodes, South Pasadena, CA
Thank you for the update on the “Miramar Hole.” Looks like Rick Caruso is a pretty busy guy tying to buy the L.A. Dodgers, considering running for mayor of L.A., and developing an investment on the Las Vegas Strip. Pretty busy, except for following through on his promise to our residents to rebuild the historic Miramar Hotel. Now, he’s asking for favoritism from the County of Santa Barbara’s Board of Supervisors at our expense. Personally, I find it difficult to take pity on this billionaire mogul and hope the Board of Supervisors does not acquiesce. – Phoebe Lenhart, Santa Barbara
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Comments
Why does Caruso think he's special?
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
March 13, 2012 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the old Miramar-I love the old, original Miramar.Is there not someone-anyone-with the belief, courage, vision-and, yes, RESOURCES- who can stand up and oppose the onslaught of negativity that surrounds this? To me, the best answer would be to resurrect her in her past glory- brilliant blue roofs and all-. Surely there are enough well-to-do- people- investors, bankers, lawyers, doctors, actors,-people with connections and FUNDS who could form a coalition/group/whatever and approach the various factions-city/state/county/Montecito planning commission(s) and present a proposal. I’m convinced that if such a proposal were available such an idea could be presented to any of a dozen hotel corporations -there would be interest. The Hyatt Miramar? The Hilton Miramar? Holiday Inn Miramar? Surely there would be financing available on an equal opportunity and return basis. Or is too simple a solution for all the bickering “Big-wigs”? There are even enough people in the private sector living in Montecito who could afford to invest in this-sorry-but there are- Oprah WInfrey in the past often would assist communities by helping through connecting with various building companies like Home Depot Walmart, etc. Is that too far a stretch or too brazen an idea to approach in this instance? We’re pitching an idea/vision here.Like a poor struggling writer we’re going to the big producer, script in hand begging for a reading-a pitch. For what its worth- there it is, people- and I won’t even charge for it!
Ozdrmr (anonymous profile)
March 13, 2012 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You might not be charging but I still want 10 percent Ozdrmr. The bones of the matter is this: Caruso's project will subject the roads to much more wear and tear, traffic will be increased before and after construction and opening. Emergency services will occasionally be needed (police for drunk guests and stalkers; paramedics for overdoses,all the fun things that accompany a hotel of this nature.)
If their guests can't handle paying a few percentage points in tax on top of a hotel bill that most likely is beyond the income of most SB residents, then they probably can't afford to stay there either.
He can play by the rules, or go someplace else.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
March 14, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)