DAPC

Having lived in PTC for many, many years, I am torn between my very conservative/libertarian roots and the entire DAPC debate.

I am of the mind, that Government has no business in business. That our government is not designed to "specifically" attract business for any reason. Nor is it designed to prohibit business growth per se.

Government should be limited to its purposes. Having said that, I've also been seduced by the many advantages and benefits that PTC has given me and my family. The city's recreational resourses are wonderful, but to be honest, we rarely use them, save that of the golf cart paths.

Which draws me to the amphitheater (season ticket holder for 6 years, until this past fall---but thats another story) and the tennis center. Why is our government in this business? If its something that can make a profit, then a private entity should do it, if it doesn't make or break even, then what and why are we as a government, managing these venues?

Some say that business development is a noble cause. . . well yeah, I guess, but there is a limit. Creating and establishing an atmosphere of minimal government intrusion is appropriate, but going to the extent of lobbying for businesses is not the proper function of government.

Today each municipality across Georgia and each State, creates these wonderful tax incentives and promises numerous benefits to these businesses to encourage their move to their respective community. What happens is what is referred to as "cannabalization". I.E. each community fights with these incentives whereby the benefit derived from this business growth is effectively lost. I.E. if every community did nothing to encourage business, then businesses would grow naturally and evenly throughout our country, unfettered by these Governmental bribes.

How many times have these businesses come into the community, used the tax incentives, and then moved on to another community once the benefits were all used up?

Well, that was my pre-amble. Now to the DAPC issue.

I don't know if the money borrowed from the bank was used appropriately or not. I find this to be ironic, a government complaining about wasteful and unchecked spending. But this spending was no doubt spent for the "benefit" of the citizens of PTC. We have been "enriched" by these expenditures. (Once again, my opinion of what government is designed to do is not applicable here.) So therefore, we should not be "unjustifiably enriched" by these monies to the detriment of the financier.

On the other hand, we should not pay the bank back for monies that were not legitimately used for the purposes that DAPC was created.

As Mayor Brown has stated repeatedly, that the use of the money is unknown. . . if so why are not heads roling? Its been four years since the Mayor's first day in office and no one has gone to jail for these "mis-deeds". Why?

Where did the money go? If the Mayor's accusations are correct, then somebody should go to jail, if not, and its merely an example of typical incompetent bookkeeping from a part-time volunteer organization, then lets be done with it.

As Johnny Cochran might say- PTC should "INDICT" or Be QUIET!

If we have been enriched by DAPC's technically not legal loan, then we should still find a way to pay it back.

Perhaps we could just sell both venues and use the sale to reiumburse the bank. Then we would all be out of the tourism lobbying game and back to doing what government was designed to do.

IMHO

A Mess

Submitted by PTC Guy on Sat, 11/26/2005 - 12:29pm.

The fact no one has been indicted means nothing.

We see consistently across the country those at certain levels above us mortals getting away with crimes, even getting millions in profit, that would land the rest of us in jail for a long time.

I am disgusted with this happening at every level of society.

I agree that PTC had no business getting into business. No government at any level has business being in business. And anyone who says the Amphitheater and the Tennis Center are not businesses is either self blinded or is being dishonest.

They were not founded based on the concept of market demand and cost/profit analysis. They were "I want" issues.

Terrible way to make such decisions.

If there were a market demand for such Wyndham or Aberdeen would have filled them long ago. Or another private company.

But these problems do not equate to PTC owing the debt and making the mistakes entirely on its own. Regardless of which Mayor and Council was sitting at the time. Nor does it lay the issue totally at their door step alone. The DAPC and Bank entities bear independent responsibilities here as well.

Let the court handle it. This is way beyond our scope of seeing evidence at this point in time. We would never be allowed to see bank records, memos and other materials on these issues. There were no proper records kept from the DAPC by people who lived and breathed such documentation in their regular jobs. There were statements and such from at least some members of PTC government that are puzzling at best on these issues.

We are in no position to resolve this. And I do see sufficient issues and questions to believe court is exactly where this needs to be.

Simple answers are always nice. But seldom real.

My opinion.

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Re: the Fred etc.

Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Sat, 11/26/2005 - 3:16pm.

It's one of the reaons I moved to PTC. In my opinion, it adds to the quality of life. Should the city be in the cart path business? How about in the business of having firework shows? Why should the city put up "Holiday" decorations, or put up a Christmas Tree? All of these things cost money, yet they are all wanted by most.

All these things listed are arguable, but they are also the reason that PTC is one of the best places in the USA to live, and raise a Family.

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Learn the Difference

Submitted by PTC Guy on Sat, 11/26/2005 - 4:15pm.

It's one of the reaons I moved to PTC. In my opinion, it adds to the quality of life.

Exactly how does a commercial competition court facility add anything to the quality of life in PTC when only a minority of citizens play tennis?

There are plenty of courts for PTC residents to play on. We didn't need this expensive financial boat anchor.

Should the city be in the cart path business?

Can you say transportation? Combination sidewalk, bicyle and cart paths? And hugely used?

I guess PTC should not do roads or sidewalks either by that logic.

How about in the business of having firework shows?

Long standing tradition that citizens don't mind in the majority. Cannot be said about the Tennis Center.

Most of us consider it a waste and a joke.

Why should the city put up "Holiday" decorations, or put up a Christmas Tree? All of these things cost money, yet they are all wanted by most.

You answered your own question. Most don't want the Tennis Center. And decorations are not as expenive either.

All these things listed are arguable, but they are also the reason that PTC is one of the best places in the USA to live, and raise a Family.

But none are commerical enterprises except for the Tennis Center and Amphitheater. Two issues of contention from the day built.

The Tennis Center contributes nothing to raising a family. You don't need that to play tennis.

And the taxpayers sure don't need that financial burden when there are infrastructure components to repair.

Strange, many of those supporting the Tennis Center are opposed to paying for infrastructure because they don't see it as "fun" or "beneficial" to them personally.

At its best how many citizens paid to play at the Tennis Center?

Here are the 2004 membership fees.

Membership Annual Quarterly One-Time Administration Fee
Family $750 $200 $99
Married Couple $700 $185 $99
Individual $500 $140 $99
Junior $200 ---- Waived
Senior $300 $90 $99

Yep. A real bargain for tax paying citizens.

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