When Mayor Waters arrives at 7:00 on Saturday
evening Violet Green is leading at least ten protestors in the parking lot.
They are screaming threats and carrying signs saying ‘No More Development’. They
try forcing their way into the library but the sheriff‘s deputies are keeping
them out. Waters enters the conference room of the County Library, and finds it
overflowing with townspeople eager to hear Carson’s plan for the Wellborne
beachfront. He joins the Chamber President, Bill Taylor in the front row. Turning
to face the crowd he sees Jake Black barely able to squeeze into the standing
room at the back. Jake looks uncomfortable, perhaps due to the noise of the
protestors outside. Jake leaves before the meeting is called to order.
Apparently his PTSD hasn’t healed enough for him to tolerate the noise. The
mayor quiets the crowd and introduces Carson.
Carson explains his plan for the new development
emphasizing that the development will use local contractors and tradesmen. He
tells them the 20 new families will shop in Sturgeonville and pay taxes in the
county, or the city if the City Council chooses to annex the property.
When Carson concludes his presentation, Bill
Taylor gets up and expresses the support of the Chamber of Commerce. Waters
watches the crowd. He’s pleased to see many nodding in support of Taylor’s
comments.
Mayor Waters then stands and says, “I see the
people of Sturgeonville support Mr. Crenshaw’s plans. Based on the support I
see here tonight, I’m going to recommend to the City Council the Wellborne
property be annexed to the city. The city will get new taxes that will more
than pay for extending city water and sewer to the new homes.”
Taylor stands up and says, “The Chamber supports
the proposed annexation.”
There’s silence for a few moments then someone
the mayor doesn’t recognize screams, “You’re trying to ram this down our
throats. I don’t believe the new taxes will pay for the cost of extending water
and sewer lines. That many new houses will likely overwhelm our water treatment
capacity, and cost us dearly to increase the capacity.”
That comment starts a chorus of shouts in
support and opposition to the development. Finally, sensing they’re outgunned
the few protestors in the room quiet down, and begin to leave mumbling to
themselves.
Carson thanks the Mayor and Chamber President
saying, “I believe I have the support I need from the village, thanks to your
efforts. Now I can concentrate on getting the development work started.”
Mayor Waters watches as Carson exits the library
and goes to his car. Violet and her activists increase their screaming, adding
personal threats to Carson as he drives away.
The City Council meets the following Tuesday
evening at the Court House conference room. A dozen or more townspeople show up
to see if annexing the Wellborne property comes up. The mayor, wearing his navy
blue suit with a red tie, opens the meeting with a brief prayer, then presents
the agenda. The first topic after dealing with the minutes of the previous
meeting is the annexation. When they get to that topic, the mayor asks how many
were at the Saturday night meeting at the library. All of the council members
raise their hands. The mayor says, “I see you are all familiar with the topic,
and have had three days to consider if annexing the Wellborne property is in
the best interest of our village. Personally, I am excited by the plans of Mr.
Crenshaw. I believe 20 more families are what we need to get our village
businesses growing again. Shall we have a motion?”
Councilwoman Nancy Wells, a faithful supporter
of the mayor, says, “I agree, Mayor. I move the city of Sturgeonville annex the
property commonly known as the Wellborne beach and extend city water and sewer
to the property.”
“Is there a second to Nancy’s motion?” The mayor
asks.
“I second the motion,” Councilman Jack Gauthier,
another of the mayor’s faithful, says immediately.
“A motion is made and seconded that
Sturgeonville annex the Wellborne beach, and extend city water and sewer to the
property. The floor is open for discussion on the motion,” says the mayor.
The man who had complained about the cost of
extending water and sewer to the property at the previous Saturday night’s
meeting raises his hand, and asks, “Can we ask questions or make comments,
Mayor.”
“Certainly, this is an open meeting. Anyone can
comment or ask for clarifications on a motion that’s open for discussion. Only
elected council members may vote though,” replies the mayor.
The man then follows with the same complaint he
expressed at the Saturday night meeting about the impact of 20 new houses on
the capacity of the village’s water treatment facility. His complaint is
followed by several comments supporting the motion and arguing the water
treatment facility has plenty of capacity for 20 more houses.
The mayor waits until the comments die down then
says, “I think we’ve heard from all sides on this motion. Let’s vote. All in
favor say aye, opposed nay. Hearing no nays, the motion is passed.”
Before the mayor moves on to the following topic
on the agenda most of the visitors, including Mary Jane Bloom, get up and leave
the conference room.
Glen Lund, who stays quiet during the annexation
discussion, remains until the meeting concludes. He follows the mayor out and
to the mayor’s car.
Getting to his car the mayor looks around;
seeing no one still in the lot other than Glen he says, “Like taking candy from
a baby, Glen. Now, you know what to do. As soon as the ink is dry on the
annexation jack up the tax assessment on the Wellborne land. That should get
Crenshaw’s attention.”
“I thought that's what you would want, and I’ve
done the homework. I can raise the assessment enough to make Crenshaw squeal,
but still be within our village guidelines. He can complain, but he won’t get
anywhere. It’ll just eat up his time and money if he appeals.”
“Crenshaw’s no dummy, Glen. He’ll understand the
quandary he’s in quickly. What we don’t know yet is what he’ll come up with to
get out of the pickle we’ll put him in. Be patient, we have to wait for him to
make the next move, and then we’ll decide on a countermove if necessary. Go
home and have a drink to celebrate our plan’s progress.”
Two weeks later Carson gets a letter from the
tax assessor. He reads the letter, does some quick calculations and explodes in
anger. Jolene’s at work and doesn’t hear his swearing rants. After a half-hour
of ranting to himself about the village’s scheming short-sighted leaders, he
decides to go for a walk, and think about his next move. He walks north along
the beach the quarter-mile to the old lighthouse on the point, then turns and
returns home. Back in his study he grabs his calculator, and examines several
options he’s thought up during his walk on the beach. After considering the
results of his calculations, he decides on a plan. Carson arranges a fishing
trip that evening with Bill Taylor.
As soon as the boat leaves the harbor, Carson
says, “Bill, I need your support again. After the annexation of my new property
the city jacked the tax assessment so high it’s not feasible to sell 20
cottages profitability. I have to build four luxury homes instead. The city
will get the same tax money unless the assessment changes again. My concern is
the local businesses. They supported my plan because 20 new families help them.
I believe that’s why the city agreed to extend water and sewer to the property.
What do you think the reaction is going to be when the locals learn there’s
only going to be four new families? Will they still support extending water and
sewer?”
“I’m not sure, Carson. You’re right. The Chamber
supported your plan and extending water and sewer because of the benefits of 20
new families. I know some will believe they’ve been hoodwinked if your plan
changes. Peter Brown for one. He’s going to be upset he won’t get as much
plumbing work. No telling if he’ll drop support, and argue the city shouldn’t
support you. Is there anyone else that’s going to lose besides the local building
trades?”
“David Wellborne is not going to get the money
he expected. Knowing him, he’ll raise a big stink. I don’t know if he has any
influence with the City Council.”
“The City Council will do what the mayor tells
them. I don’t know either if the mayor will pay much attention to Wellborne. I
expect the mayor to wait to see how most of the locals react. Have you
considered appealing the tax assessment?”
“Yes, but that would take time and money. It’s
the time that I can’t afford to lose. If I don’t complete the homes within two
years Wellborne gets the property back. But there’s nothing he can do if I
complete the homes in two years, no matter whether it’s 20 homes or one, if
that’s the number I choose to build. That’s a key part of our contract he didn’t
foresee.”
“What will you do if the city withdraws its
commitment to extend water and sewer to the property, Carson?”
“I’ll put in wells, septic tanks and drain
fields for each home. I made sure it’s feasible before I bought the property.
The problem is, it requires cutting a lot of beautiful trees buyers of luxury
homes will want to keep.”
“Not only home buyers. I can imagine the
reaction of the local activists like Violet Green if you cut a lot of those big
trees.”
“Now you know my situation, Bill. Will you and
the Chamber support the city sticking with the plan to extend water and sewer?”
“I will. Four new homes are better than no new
homes. I don’t know how others will react. My advice is to hold another public
meeting. I’ll support you again, but I can’t promise people like Peter Brown
will still support you. And Violet Green’s activists will be more aggressive
than before. No telling what she’d incite them to do. Don’t forget the Weekly
Journal. Mary Jane Bloom will write whatever she thinks will create the biggest
reaction. Her article following the City Council’s agreeing to annex the
property and extend water and sewer supported the plan because she could see
that’s what most people wanted. She could write a nasty article if she senses
enough people think you’ve bamboozled the villagers.”
“Thanks for your insight, Bill. I’ll arrange
another public meeting. The fish aren’t biting tonight, let’s go in.”
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