Here is a little info some may agree with or some may not. I am posting this because of a phone call from John saying he would post my emails to the city after he opened, I have nothing to hide. I just didn't want to make a public scene of it.
First I have no issue with the motocross arena and the business they are opening. I don't know John and he is probably a great guy. I hope they do well.
In my construction business, my wifes family plumbing company, and at Ram Jam we have licsensing, permits and processes required by state and local authorities.
A company doesn't have a chance against people that don't follow the guidlines whether they are getting licensing or permits in cities or get zoning/permits/fire department/building plans approved by city/county/state for RamJam. If I am bidding against someone doing something on the "side" with none of these liscense and approvals I won't get the work and can't compete.
That said things seemed to be moving very fast for Youngstown, too fast from my experience. I contacted Mahoning County and Campbell because of this. I inquired
if there was plans/permits/change of use/fire department approvals on this project, as ALL other business including Indoor tracks have had to do. The answer was no. John called me to complain to me about this. Said it's none of my business. I disagree. He said when he gets open he will post about the emails on this. Like I said before, I stand behind what I say. I emailed zoning and the Mayor to make sure they following the building and zoning approval process that everyone else does with opening a new or different business in a building.
Again I hope they do good when they open and if John is upset then that is his choice for trying to bypass the legal proccess. They may have to do more or less than we had to do per our city and thats fine as long as they go thru the proper process. I'll do the same thing if someone I am bidding against on a job tries to skip the process. And if another indoor goes to open I will check and make sure they are abidding by the rules. If you don't have your own business then you may not realize the cost savings of circumventing the process.
Bash me praise me, all the rest of us have had to do it.