One More One Less back in with upset bid on Marion

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

One More One Less submitted an upset bid on Friday, April 17, in the amount of 266,000 for the Marion school property.

Cleveland County Schools – Last week, a few days after the Cleveland County Schools Board of Education accepted to move forward with an offer from Jerry Allen for the old Marion School property, One More One Less, the nonprofit organization who originally made an offer that was tabled by the school board several months ago, submitted an upset bid on the property while other news outlets were just reporting the bid from Allen.

On the CCS official website, the upset bid was posted by at least Saturday, stating the price and offering party in the notification.

The notice stated, “On April 17, a bid was made by One More One Less Project in the amount of $266,000.00. A new 10-day upset period will begin with each new bid.”

Allen’s offer was for $253,000.

The reason for such a specific bid increase for the amount of $266,000 by One More One Less was due to qualifying upset bids which increased the previous offer by at least 10% of the first $1,000 and 5% of the remainder. Bidders must submit qualifying upset bids within 10 days after the date of advertisement and be accompanied by a 5% bid bond or deposit. If a qualifying upset bid is received, then a new 10-day advertisement and upset bid process will be repeated until no additional qualifying upset bid is received.

In a social media statement released by the founders of One More One Less, Jeff and Mandy Marburger, provided an update while also thanking and encouraging their supporters during this tenuis process they have gone through to hopefully win the bid for the old Marion property.

“…Yes, there’s a building involved, but this was never just about a building,” Mandy said in the video.

Jeff added, by explaining, “It’s about creating a space, where people can come together, where families feel supported and kids, especially the most vulnerable, are cared for in a real and meaningful way; because we truly believe when we care well for these kids, it impacts everything.”

“It strengthens families, it brings hope and it changes the entire community, honestly, “Mandy noted. “So, as we continue just walking through this process, we just want to invite you to keep being a part of it with us”.

Jeff and Mandy further explained while they did submit an upset bid, nothing is guaranteed.

“It may happen, and it may not,” added Jeff. “But we’re trusting The Lord in all of it and we just want you guys to know that and hes leading, that has a plan…”

(Upset bid for Marion continued below...)

The Marburgers also stated in the video they welcome any conversations or questions anyone might have about their use of the property.  

According to the official guidelines, upset bids must be received by Rob McDaniel, CFO for Cleveland County Schools at Cleveland County Schools Central Services, 400 W. Marion St. Shelby, NC. After the upset bid process is complete, the Board may choose to award the property to the highest bidder or reject all bids.

Questions about the bid process can be directed to Rob McDaniel at 704.476.8048 or rdmcdaniel@clevelandcountyschools.org or Leigha Sink at Ibsink@clevelandcountyschools.org .

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent. 

The Shelby Independent.