Posted on 01/27/2006 9:32:20 AM PST by barj
Public benefits EDITOR: The Jan. 20 Press Democrat editorial asks, how much is too much for a city council to ask of a developer? This is like asking how much Apple should charge for an iPod. The obvious answer in a free market context is, "Whatever the market will bear."
City and county officials should approach a development proposal as a business proposition, taking all community costs and benefits into full consideration. If the community benefit of the project exceeds the costs, approve the project. Otherwise, deny it.
The job of the city council is to look out for the community, not the developer, so negotiate as much public benefit as you can. Developers may claim the right to develop their property as they choose, or to be given the same lenient treatment as past developers. They have no such rights. If the developer takes a walk, and no other comes forward to make a better proposal, we'll know you held out for too much public benefit. On the other hand, if you settle for too little, as has happened far too often in the past, we'll tell you to take a walk.
STEPHEN HARPER
Chairman, Housing Advocacy Group, Santa Rosa
Wring as much as you can from a business and then wonder why there are no jobs, low wages, no new market entries. What a moron
What do you want to bet that this self-important doofus either is what we in Vermont call a "trustifarian," i.e., someone with a family trust fund who looks and acts like a hippie, or is paid a comfortable salary by some left-wing foundation, or maybe has stupid parents who give him a monthly allowance to do nothing.
This sort of person has never done an honest day's work in his life, and has no idea where the money originally came from that is keeping him so comfortable.
Public bodies should negotiate with private companies just as hard as two private companies would negotiate with each other. At the same time, they should realize that any concessions they get come with a cost -- even if it's not clearly printed on a price tag. If they insist on a bunch of frills that the taxpayer wouldn't pay for; just because they're "free", they're deluding themselves, and doing more harm than good.
I bet. We have a boat load of those folks out here.
"The obvious answer in a free market context is, "Whatever the market will bear."
Clearly the undertone of this statement is that all business and development is strictly at the liesure of the town council.
They never even consider the "who gave you the right?!" aspect
Excellent angle. Ilike it.
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