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The Sidebar: A step in the wrong direction
By Jeff Lundquist
NT Editor
It was something like a scene from a movie Wednesday night at the Atlantic City Council meeting. First there was a dramatic pause, while a dozen or so people waited expectantly.Then a stunned silence after the final vote had been cast and the bombshell exploded.
Last Wednesday the Atlantic City Council voted 4-3 to deny a $295,000 TIF application for a new hotel on the west side of town. Without that up-front funding, hotel officials said it would be difficult to get financing and the project would likely die. A $1.5 million project expected to generate over $54,000 a year in additional property taxes in the community had just disappeared and no one saw it coming.
Of course there was no reason anyone should have. Just a couple of weeks earlier three of the four dissenters had joined with the majority in a 6-1 vote to state the city's intent to pursue the bonding method for the project, which is what was requested by developers in their TIF application.
Almost immediately the four that voted against it all quickly voiced their support for the project, right after casting the votes that killed it. They all claimed their votes had nothing to do with the merits of the project just the method of funding the city was considering. They said they preferred a tax rebate rather than a TIF bond. But that option had been debated and voted on and ultimately rejected.
Just to be clear, what that meant was that, after discussing all the options, the council agreed by a vote of 6-1 that it intended to assist the project with a TIF bond. NOT a tax rebate, that idea was off the table once that vote passed. The council did NOT have the option of considering a different type of funding without starting the process over, and every one of the council members knew that because it was discussed at council meetings. The council intended to proceed with the bond issue, or so the majority at the time said.
That action was in effect the green light for developers to begin lining up their financing.
But Wednesday night three of the council members, Kern Miller, Pat Simmons and John Rueb, decided to change their mind and pull the rug out from under the feet of the developers of the project, and then actually had the nerve to claim they were shocked, shocked they said, that the company may now want to pass on the project.
In fact it was nothing short of a stab in the back and no amount of excuse making will change that.
Over the past few years it's become clear that there are members on this council that are clearly anti-development, going so far as to include personal attacks against individuals and the pursuit of personal vendettas. I don't know to what extent that played a role in Wednesday night's vote but the players have become all too familiar and the outcome all too common.
In the end it was just another in an increaingly long line of black eyes for the city.
Even in this case, in which all four claimed to support the project before killing it, the tone of the debate prior to the vote was on the accusatory side.
One council member suggested that it was unfair to ask the citizens to "pay" for the bond, even though every penny would have been repaid through property taxes. Somehow the project would be cheating us.
Another councilman told the developers, that, in effect, they would be bad neighbors if they didn't change their proposal and request the rebate instead.
Again, all of this after the council had already told them they "intended" to proceed with the bond. So much for keeping the city's word.
What makes this terrible decision doubly bad is that the new hotel would have been built on the west side of town in an area ripe for new development. It was a project that could have attracted other businesses, such as restaurants to cater to patrons staying in the 31 rooms planned for the new hotel.
The council voted against those businesses.
Chamber and Economic Development officials say that the availability of the additional rooms would have also opened the city up to more and bigger conferences and activities at the convention center. Bigger events means more people and more money spent in the community.
But the council voted against that.
All of this comes on the heels of the city being forced to return $100,000 Vision Iowa grant to the state because in five years they couldn't meet the requirements they had agreed to. Again there is a long list of excuses, but the bottom line is another project to enhance the community has been hurt along with the city's reputation.
Those that are responsible will no doubt deny all this. They will kick and scream and howl that they have been misrepresented and were only looking out for the best interests of the people. But they are wrong. Stagnation is not in the best interest of the community, and that, unfortunately, is what they voted for. Why they took that action, and I don't the lame excuses they given, only they know.
This was a company that was ready to invest in the community, had planned to begin construction this fall and had already placed large orders with local companies. All that went away Wednesday night.
The city is in a competitive market when it comes to attracting new business, but unfortunately it appears to be a competition we are determined to lose. And that's a movie without a happy ending.
Last Wednesday the Atlantic City Council voted 4-3 to deny a $295,000 TIF application for a new hotel on the west side of town. Without that up-front funding, hotel officials said it would be difficult to get financing and the project would likely die. A $1.5 million project expected to generate over $54,000 a year in additional property taxes in the community had just disappeared and no one saw it coming.
Of course there was no reason anyone should have. Just a couple of weeks earlier three of the four dissenters had joined with the majority in a 6-1 vote to state the city's intent to pursue the bonding method for the project, which is what was requested by developers in their TIF application.
Almost immediately the four that voted against it all quickly voiced their support for the project, right after casting the votes that killed it. They all claimed their votes had nothing to do with the merits of the project just the method of funding the city was considering. They said they preferred a tax rebate rather than a TIF bond. But that option had been debated and voted on and ultimately rejected.
Just to be clear, what that meant was that, after discussing all the options, the council agreed by a vote of 6-1 that it intended to assist the project with a TIF bond. NOT a tax rebate, that idea was off the table once that vote passed. The council did NOT have the option of considering a different type of funding without starting the process over, and every one of the council members knew that because it was discussed at council meetings. The council intended to proceed with the bond issue, or so the majority at the time said.
That action was in effect the green light for developers to begin lining up their financing.
But Wednesday night three of the council members, Kern Miller, Pat Simmons and John Rueb, decided to change their mind and pull the rug out from under the feet of the developers of the project, and then actually had the nerve to claim they were shocked, shocked they said, that the company may now want to pass on the project.
In fact it was nothing short of a stab in the back and no amount of excuse making will change that.
Over the past few years it's become clear that there are members on this council that are clearly anti-development, going so far as to include personal attacks against individuals and the pursuit of personal vendettas. I don't know to what extent that played a role in Wednesday night's vote but the players have become all too familiar and the outcome all too common.
In the end it was just another in an increaingly long line of black eyes for the city.
Even in this case, in which all four claimed to support the project before killing it, the tone of the debate prior to the vote was on the accusatory side.
One council member suggested that it was unfair to ask the citizens to "pay" for the bond, even though every penny would have been repaid through property taxes. Somehow the project would be cheating us.
Another councilman told the developers, that, in effect, they would be bad neighbors if they didn't change their proposal and request the rebate instead.
Again, all of this after the council had already told them they "intended" to proceed with the bond. So much for keeping the city's word.
What makes this terrible decision doubly bad is that the new hotel would have been built on the west side of town in an area ripe for new development. It was a project that could have attracted other businesses, such as restaurants to cater to patrons staying in the 31 rooms planned for the new hotel.
The council voted against those businesses.
Chamber and Economic Development officials say that the availability of the additional rooms would have also opened the city up to more and bigger conferences and activities at the convention center. Bigger events means more people and more money spent in the community.
But the council voted against that.
All of this comes on the heels of the city being forced to return $100,000 Vision Iowa grant to the state because in five years they couldn't meet the requirements they had agreed to. Again there is a long list of excuses, but the bottom line is another project to enhance the community has been hurt along with the city's reputation.
Those that are responsible will no doubt deny all this. They will kick and scream and howl that they have been misrepresented and were only looking out for the best interests of the people. But they are wrong. Stagnation is not in the best interest of the community, and that, unfortunately, is what they voted for. Why they took that action, and I don't the lame excuses they given, only they know.
This was a company that was ready to invest in the community, had planned to begin construction this fall and had already placed large orders with local companies. All that went away Wednesday night.
The city is in a competitive market when it comes to attracting new business, but unfortunately it appears to be a competition we are determined to lose. And that's a movie without a happy ending.
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| Home Fires: Drawing from an empty well |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of swiowanewssource.com.
Long Gone wrote on Oct 31, 2009 8:00 AM:
" And that is why I moved. No opportunity to grow, barely squeaking by and going nowhere. No future for young citizens in that town and when I had the chance to get out, I snapped it up! The city is doing nothing to keep young people or give them opportunities to grow. Best thing I ever did! "
Polished-Arrow wrote on Nov 2, 2009 10:03 AM:
" We are considering a move out of Atlantic for the same reasons previously stated. There is so much potential here, but the powers-that-be seem to relish the idea of remaining in limbo rather than advancing for the good of the community. Do they get high on the power the 'think' they have to the detriment of Atlantic residents? Come on people!...vote these negative, backward-thinking people out of their positions! You are the ones with the power. "
Ron Beebe wrote on Nov 2, 2009 4:23 PM:
" I grew up in Atlantic and resided there until 8 yrs ago, I had to get out of there, for the job market and the town was just dwindleing away. I always remember my mother say that Atlantic had so many chances for new buisnesses, but most were turned down. It seems like Atlantic just wants to remain a little retirement town. Just look at how Harlan, Redoak, shenadoa and carol have slid right by Atlantic. I remember when the football and basketball teams of the 60's made other teams shake in their sneakers, but that is a thing of the past. I love Atlantic, it will always be home to me, but, their is nothing there for anyone except senior citizens. God bless you all! "
AHS alum wrote on Nov 3, 2009 3:25 PM:
" Regarding Ron Beebe's comment: What does progress or lack thereof in our community have to do with our sports programs? Atlantic is consistently one of the best overall athletic programs in the conference. Yes, the football program has gone down dramatically, but that doesn't represent the entire high school's athletic department. It's up to the student athletes and coaches to create a successful athletic program; the success of the community has nothing to do with it. "
Mark Knudsen wrote on Nov 11, 2009 4:33 PM:
" I am currently in Pensacola FL where we experienced the minor effects of Hurricane Ida. I do follow the news in Atlantic. Atlantic does seem to have a way of discouraging business and industry.
Our elected public servants do forget they are elected PUBLIC SERVANTS. But I also think the public forgets they are Elected Public Servants.
In the four years I was on the City Council during the planning stage of the Airport expansion, Rec center planning and construction, annexation of the area on the East side of town, The creation of the storm water utility, rezoning the area for Wal-mart, and the building of the new Sunnyside pool, I only received 4 phone calls and one letter.
I can't believe there was nothing to talk about and every one was in agreement with all that was going on.
My point is the people did not take responsibility for their town.
I have never voted for an elected public servant to replace me. I have voted for them to represent me.
I have never voted for an elected public servant to think for me. I have voted for them to speak for me.
Public servants do get the idea they are the City Government, but the last I heard it was government by the people.
It is the citizens fault as much as it is the Council and Mayor's fault that "City Government" is left to itself to run the City.
A petition was circulated and ignored on the inspection issue. That was inexcusable, but how many people have Respectfully contacted their representative on, day to day issues, offering positive suggestions.
And I do mean contact them Respectfully.
Another thing that has stopped Atlantic is people say no to ideas simply because they don't understand or don't see the full advantage of an idea, or it simply is not the first thing they would do.
While on the Council I did see people discourage others who had an idea and was enthused about it. Many of these projects or ideas would cost no more than a few $100.00, would not have a negative side and might make a difference. Yet the answer was usually no.
While I was on the Council
The issue came up of having a Motorcycle show at Atlantic Fest. People were scared of the Motorcycle concept and thought the group might drink and be disruptive. I was assured that we had a police department in Atlantic and that they maintained authority to arrest people. I suggested and voted with the rest of the Council to make a spot for them and they have been an asset to the event for as long as they have been there.
During the summer my son and his friends put on a rock music event at the bandstand at Sunnyside. The kids doing this had won most of the band scholarships, awards, and academic awards Atlantic School System had to offer. They introduced themselves to the Park and Rec Director and the Police Chief. The event was eventually granted approval despite great fear from our public servants. The parents and grandparents that made up 50% of the audience behaved themselves, none of them were arrested and the event was a success.
With the volumes respectable, around noon of a week day, these same students were told they couldn't practice or play at the bandstand.
Atlantic needs to learn to say yes and keep an open mind. They need to take a chance once in a while.
Contact you elected public servants Respectfully by letter or email. that way there can be less misunderstanding of what was said. Letters are easier to share and offer a permanent record.
Don't complain if you don't participate "
Our elected public servants do forget they are elected PUBLIC SERVANTS. But I also think the public forgets they are Elected Public Servants.
In the four years I was on the City Council during the planning stage of the Airport expansion, Rec center planning and construction, annexation of the area on the East side of town, The creation of the storm water utility, rezoning the area for Wal-mart, and the building of the new Sunnyside pool, I only received 4 phone calls and one letter.
I can't believe there was nothing to talk about and every one was in agreement with all that was going on.
My point is the people did not take responsibility for their town.
I have never voted for an elected public servant to replace me. I have voted for them to represent me.
I have never voted for an elected public servant to think for me. I have voted for them to speak for me.
Public servants do get the idea they are the City Government, but the last I heard it was government by the people.
It is the citizens fault as much as it is the Council and Mayor's fault that "City Government" is left to itself to run the City.
A petition was circulated and ignored on the inspection issue. That was inexcusable, but how many people have Respectfully contacted their representative on, day to day issues, offering positive suggestions.
And I do mean contact them Respectfully.
Another thing that has stopped Atlantic is people say no to ideas simply because they don't understand or don't see the full advantage of an idea, or it simply is not the first thing they would do.
While on the Council I did see people discourage others who had an idea and was enthused about it. Many of these projects or ideas would cost no more than a few $100.00, would not have a negative side and might make a difference. Yet the answer was usually no.
While I was on the Council
The issue came up of having a Motorcycle show at Atlantic Fest. People were scared of the Motorcycle concept and thought the group might drink and be disruptive. I was assured that we had a police department in Atlantic and that they maintained authority to arrest people. I suggested and voted with the rest of the Council to make a spot for them and they have been an asset to the event for as long as they have been there.
During the summer my son and his friends put on a rock music event at the bandstand at Sunnyside. The kids doing this had won most of the band scholarships, awards, and academic awards Atlantic School System had to offer. They introduced themselves to the Park and Rec Director and the Police Chief. The event was eventually granted approval despite great fear from our public servants. The parents and grandparents that made up 50% of the audience behaved themselves, none of them were arrested and the event was a success.
With the volumes respectable, around noon of a week day, these same students were told they couldn't practice or play at the bandstand.
Atlantic needs to learn to say yes and keep an open mind. They need to take a chance once in a while.
Contact you elected public servants Respectfully by letter or email. that way there can be less misunderstanding of what was said. Letters are easier to share and offer a permanent record.
Don't complain if you don't participate "
Ron Beebe wrote on Nov 13, 2009 2:55 PM:
" To AHS alumni, what are you on, the success of the town has everything to do with better competition! Brings more jobs which brings more people with youngsters, thus more of a selection and talent to choose from. I love all the kids that try their best and go out for ALL the sports, but I think its pretty obvious the more their is to choose from the better chance you have at finding more talent. "
Past Resident wrote on Nov 14, 2009 12:21 PM:
" I am also an Atlantic graduate. I came back after college and lived there for several years. My spouse and I just recently moved from Atlantic because of lack of opportunities, growth, and so on. We couldn't stay in a town based on its "potential." I was very unhappy about leaving, but we had to go where there are opportunities. We didn't just have ourselves to think about, but also our future family. To Mark Knudsen: when we lived in Atlantic we did vote and write constructive/respectful letters to our elected officials. It never seemed to do any good. To AHS alum: the success of a community effects many things, including schools and sports programs. Quality jobs can bring in young families that have children. This means a bigger selection of students taking part in sports/band/choir/art/FFA and so on. A successful community will also bring in more interest from job applicants when there are teacher and/or coaching positions open. This means a bigger selection in which to find a quality teacher or coach for the school district. The point is that the success of a community effects all aspects of it. "
Pat B. wrote on Oct 27, 2009 7:21 AM: