Name:	randyman -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/27/2019 5:53:35 PM

Do you know if these lake resort rumors have any credence? If so, what, when and where?

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 12:18:59 PM

hey Randyman, I will email you.

Name:	Buteye -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 12:35:20 PM

Can you provide whatever information you have on this subject to the rest of us on the forum?

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 12:44:01 PM

I will email you

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 1:02:11 PM

What's the big secret? We are all affected.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 2:08:37 PM

there is no big secret. I would just rather not comment publicly on a rumor. if anyone that reads this wants to call me at 334-221-5862 I will be glad to share my opinion, but it is only going to be that  --> an opinion on a rumor. 

Name:	CRD -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	10/28/2019 4:11:56 PM

Public commentary on rumours is rampant on the off-topic forum.  Wish a few would follow your advice, John!  

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 12:28:06 PM

Requiring some notice of economic development that might affect our property on the lake, it is our duty to ask questions when we see it. Whether it's this forum or private conversations especially with realtors we all need to know what is being planned on the lake.  For instance if a payday lender planned a location next to your property you might wish to know?! 

having said that, when a realtor says they won't comment on rumors, it just heighten the suspicion.  So if a casino pops up too bad for us.  Lol.

Name:	CRD -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 12:52:22 PM

My question would be is this:  is there some sort of FOI vehicle that would allow homeowners access to major development plans on the lake that would not put realtors in an ethics/non disclosure quandry?  John?

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 6:48:47 PM

Anyone can sign up to receive notices and application filings from FERC.gov on lakefront requests for additions, alterations, etc.  Alabama Power files requests on behalf of commercial projects on the lake and individuals can file comments on those filings.  Unfortunately, most of the planning, negotiations, etc., have already taken place by filing time.  Agree wholehearted that public must be kept informed, but public must be organized to stop bad things before they happen.  Don’t forget the Ridge development where lake was filled in to access development of islands.....and don’t forget the biggest monument....Bridge to Nowhere!

Name:	wix -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 7:08:27 PM

Link to subscribe to FERC:  https://ferconline.ferc.gov/eRegistration.aspx

You can restrict info sent to you to Lake Martin.  Code for Lake Martin is P-349.

Want to keep informed, sign up.

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 8:44:23 PM

I would also recommend getting involved with the county commissioners.  Attend their meetings and listen closely.  If you can cut through the fog, sometimes important future shenanigans are revealed.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/29/2019 10:39:47 PM

I suspect a public annoucement will be made in the not to distant future.  Keep in mind that John Coley doesn't speak for Russell Lands and is not authorized to discuss their plans.  I asked someone who is in the know today, and got the same answer.  

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Maybe a better question for John Coley
Date:	10/30/2019 9:11:55 AM

If in fact these rumors are true what do you think it will do to the quality of life and real estate prices on Lake Martin?  I've never been on Oconee where Reynolds Plantation is but know people who do and have heard no complaints.  

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	In the absence of a public policy
Date:	10/30/2019 4:23:40 PM

I am not worried about "heightening suspicions" of anyone that won't take the time to call me or email me. It does not take much effort to satisfy anyone's curiousity about my opinion, as inconsequential as it is on this subject. I am one of the most public and visible people on this forum. I use my real name - that and number and email are splashed everywhere on the web but again they are 334 221 58962 and john at lakemartinvoice dot com. I have enjoyed the many conversations with those that have called and emailed. It is always cool to me to connect with the people from all over that love Lake Martin like I do.

On a related subject, I have been, for years, in support of our legislators' lobbying efforts to get a RSA style hotel done at Wind Creek. It's the largest (in area) state park and has tons of room for a hotel without risking over growth. It would be a great place for people to try out the lake, and also a boon for the local economy. I am strongly in favor of hotels that are not overbuilt and are done right. It is a no brainer.

Regarding Russell Lands, I have been consistent in my opinion for the last 15 summers that I have been selling here and writing about real estate. If you are super bored you can comb back through my blog posts since 2007, videos since 2008, and Lake Magazine articles since (?) 2010. I think that RL does a great job. Yes, they are my largest competitor in real estate sales. Yes, I disagree here and there with a few things that a few of their employees have done and said. But in general, I think they do things in a first class way with an eye on how the lake will be affected for the next 100 years. I would encourage their detractors to look at other nearby second home / vacation spots if you want to see examples of short sighted stewardship that sacrifices smart growth for short term gain. 

Some might think this next statement is irrevalent, but I think it is spot on. Here is a true story: in the mid 1950s my grandfather, Temple Coley, and "Big" Ralph Froshin (another Alex City businessman) had the opportunity to buy a huge swath of waterfront on the lake. It was basically Tallassee Slough - from present day Anchor Bay Marina, west until almost where the Ampitheater is now. The price was like 50 cents an acre. or 15 cents an acre, one or the other, not even my dad remebers accurately. The point is - cheap. They went so far as to form a company, FroCo, with which to buy it. They had the money. But they didn't buy it. Why?

Even though they both had cabins on the lake then, even though they themselves and their families were enjoying the lake, they did not see it as a good long term investment.  Time proved them wrong. Very, very wrong.

It's easy to sit back now, 70 years later, and comment on what a huge financial opportunity FroCo missed. It's easy to play arm-chair developer and talk in couldas, shouldas, and wouldas. I often think, if that were me back then, would I have done it? Would I have had the vision to look two and three generations down the line and make the right decision, but put everything I had on the line to risk it? Probably not. I find myself to be pretty risk averse.  My grandfather started many successful businesses. If he passed on it, I probably would have, too.

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	wow, thanks John.
Date:	10/30/2019 5:40:18 PM

I don't have a dog in this fight, I merely commented that your response stirs up the bypasser like me to just make up stuff innocently in conversations.  Maybe a response like I don't know.  No truth to that rumor.  But to answer I can only tell you if you cal me at xxx-xxxx.  

must have struck a nerve.  As a retired state employee it was interesting to hear your opinion, of which I agree. Have a great day!

Name:	DJ -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 8:26:14 AM

I have always said that the Pleasure Point Park closing was a planned event, the re-licensing map submitted back before that happened showed PPP to be removed from the "project" except the marina store and boat ramp/storage areas. The lady that rented from AP stopped doing any repairs, cleaning up of fallen trees of any kind about a year before that crap started about septic spillage. I have the opinion that there will be a bridge from there over to wicker point, there is no other bridge to that side of the lake other than in Alex City. Back when the boating ban laws were passed (another bad decision) there was talk then of a big resort with houseboat rentals, rooms etc. (That info came to me from a very reliable connected source) that never happened more than likely because of the real estate crash. Again, that is my humble opinion. 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 10:31:37 AM

I agree.  I have been predicting that bridge for 20 years.  It makes sense that Russell would push for that bridge because it could cut 30-45 minutes off a trip from ATL and points east to the  Russell developments on that side of the lake.

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 3:45:59 PM

Yall gone run out of Lake.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 7:34:45 PM

Reading and listening closely, the Chamber of Commerce has hired a Director of Tourism, and has said that they will be depending on tourism on the lake.  The first thing I thought was that they will built a resort on the Lake. They already have the Catherine's complex with horseback riding and on-going events.  They have Spring House.  So they need to build a really nice place to stay on the lake.  Will they annex Willow Point Country Club or will they keep that seperate and build a golf course and swimming pools?  Seems to me that they have a good portion of it already built.  I still think it will be on the 63 corridor.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 8:09:06 PM

Tourist will NEVER be allowed into willow point.  Yes it will be in that corridor.  What I heard is that Cathrines, Spring house and even the eatery at Kowliga will become a part of it.  Russell Lands is supposedly going to do nothing but real estate development and/or sales.  When the locals started with the talk of tourism being the future I have been asking where in the hell these tourist supposed to stay.  

If as someone posted back a few weeks ago that it will be a Ritz Carlton I predit a huge failure.  For it to be truly seccessful it should be a Holiday Inn or simular chain with mass appeal to working class and families.  I don't see Alex City as a huge draw for millionaires to weekend. the locals powers that be want to play with the big boys.  

They should simply add a Hotel at Wind Creek.  That would stay full like the park does now.  

Name:	DJ -	Reply
Subject:	Hey John Coley!?
Date:	11/8/2019 8:10:03 PM

So you dont think a bridge would be a good thing at the end of highway 34 on Pleasure Point? It would be through the old Pleasure Point Park cause I doubt that lot at the north end of PP would ever be purchased to build a bridge, worth far too much money. . 

Name:	Carlson -	Reply
Subject:	So it’s true?
Date:	11/8/2019 8:14:29 PM

That there is a secret plan to develop a resort like facility and the rumors are true?  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	So it’s true?
Date:	11/8/2019 9:40:05 PM

As far as I know it is just speculation that seems to fit.  And I don't know what a timeline would look like.  

I think if a resort hotel is built, it will be more than a blue-collar or middle class chain.  Russell doesn't do anything half assed.

Name:	DJ -	Reply
Subject:	So it’s true?
Date:	11/8/2019 9:58:20 PM

Wow, blue color middle class is HALF-ASS now. Maybe you don't know about those little things called Russel Cabins, those are the worst looking, worst built building I have ever seen. I have a better storage building on my lot. Russell, nothing half assed my ass. Now I remember why I stopped looking at this forum. 

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	So it’s true?
Date:	11/9/2019 11:00:10 AM

If it doesn't appeal to the masses it wil be a spectacular failure.  The hollywood elites aren't coming to Alabama to play so all the RL Vp's can hobnob with the rich and famous.  There are already many places with infrastrcture in place to entertain them.  

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	So it’s true?
Date:	11/9/2019 11:46:06 AM

Which decade are you talking about?  Have you heard the news that Russell is building million-dollar houses on the lake now?  The days of the origninal Russell cabins are long gone.  The "new" Russell cabins start at about $900K.  

Lifer - I  think that there are a lot of people in Atlanta and Birmingham and other cities that have money, and would like to spend time on Lake Martin.  There are plenty of hotels off the lake to appeal to the blue collar audience, there is Wind Creek and there are a few "cabins" over at the The Landing to rent.  I know Lake Martin has blue collar roots, but I think that ship has sailed.