Bowling For Dollars

The top secret economic development project "Rolling Rock" has been approved and the local elected officials and talking heads of the media are chattering about this successful deal like drivers finding a gas station that hasn't had a chance to up its prices by a nickel that day. The County Commission recently inked a deal between the county and the United States Bowling Congress to hold 13 bowling championships events in the area with the "expectation" they would generate almost $750 million dollars in local economic activity. These events would be held in a new 100 lane bowling facility located on Disney property located in Osceola county. The county's investment is $1 million every time an event is held which means the county is really spending $13 million of tourist tax dollars (funny money) to secure the events. Not a bad deal even by the standards of the WayneWho staff.

Over the weekend, the comedic editorial blogger, Mark Pino, of the Orlando Sentinel wrote an entry singing the high praises of Project Rolling Rock and how it will be a win-win for the county. Well, that is win-win if all you care about is how much tax money can be generated by local government to be squandered on everything but things to improve the quality of life of our residents. What Mr. Pino, and the rest of the local government cheerleading squad seem to forget is the horrible track record of local governments to spend these windfall tax revenues wisely. Excess profits lead to excess spending and very little of it can be traced back to improvements for residents. There is always some new toy or gadget that some department has to have to do its job more efficiently, but rarely does that translate to better services. Of course who would think about anything like this after an intoxicating romp with an American classic like Rolling Rock? And who would even know about mismanaged and misspent funds when local media spends its time rallying support for government instead of asking for accountability?

The issue Mr. Pino is not how much money will this project generate for government, the issue is how will it benefit the residents of our community? What type and how many jobs? Are they more service level pay jobs with no benefits? Has any number been given so from year to year we can track the employment and pay figures to gage any direct economic impact? Remember the great promise of jobs at the Lowes Distribution center? Were the tax breaks worth it on that project? And as far as spillover into the hotels located on the west end of Osceola County, what measurement will be used to make sure that the objectives promised now are ever really reached? Higher occupancy, higher revenues, or maybe the ability for many of these properties to actually pay their taxes? We have seen only a limited promise of follow-up on any of these questions from Commissioner Shipley whose time on the commission is almost over. Who will pick up the torch of accountability on a department steeped in secrecy? Will anyone provide year to year studies to the public, or can we expect another gutter ball on follow through?

Maybe we should just do like our local media suggests, forget all that numbers talk cause this big bowling ally is gonna be like you're on a gravy train with biscuit wheels. Eat hearty residents.