There is an old saying among lawyers: “When the law is against you, argue the facts; when the facts are against you, argue the law.” What is wrong with this aphorism is that in every case, one should argue for what is right.
Members of the Peachtree City Planning Commission know it is not their duty to decide if the city needs another fast food joint, or another specialty grocery store, or a water park. Their duty and decisions are constrained by the zoning ordinances (“the law”).
Aphorisms can do no more than point us toward facts. Still, there are a couple of old sayings I’d like to offer. “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck.” And, “Follow the money.”
There is some strange quacking coming from the waterpark discussions. One quack, reported in “The Citizen” (March 28 & 29 2015) is that Great Wolf Resorts seems to have nearly doubled in value between 2012 and today. There must be quite a money trail behind that.
Another quack is the published claim that the Convention and Visitors Bureau favors the development. Perhaps they look for the advertised $1.5 million in hotel-motel taxes to pump up their salaries and perks.
Another quack is the rumor that a local developer/politician offered to buy some of the homes in Preston Chase. Is this because he needs them, or because he hopes to get a vocal minority off his back? Even if these homes were bulldozed, it would only move the development closer to other homes. It would be fascinating to follow that money trail.
Another quack is the notion that the water park would create 400 new jobs in Peachtree City and nearly 770 jobs “across the economy.” (What does that mean — more police officers, perhaps?) Think minimum wage: housekeeping staff, retail clerks, lifeguards. Not much of a money trail there.
Another quack is the $4 million in “soft costs” mentioned in “The Citizen.” It would be interesting to follow that money.
What’s wrong with the proposed development? Among other things, the developer is arguing that some very good rules (“the law”) be set aside. The Planning Commission voted against breaking the rules (“the law”). The City Council, whose own code of ethics and oaths of office demand that they support the law should do the same thing. In the case of the waterpark, both the law and what is right are on the same side.
When they wrote the Constitution, the Founding Fathers did not foresee the day when money would speak louder than the people, louder than the law, and louder than what is right. It is up to the citizens of Peachtree City to drown the voice of money with their own voices. It is incumbent upon the City Council to listen, and then to do what is right — and what is the law.
Paul Lentz
Peachtree City, Ga.
