News

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Flat Rock sets example for openness

By Bill Moss, Published: November 12, 2012

In exploring whether to buy the Highland Lake Golf Course, the Village of Flat Rock has created a model of openness that other local bodies should follow.
Village Council members agreed in September that they wanted to explore the purchase of the golf course, which owners Jim Sparks and Tom Davis have been trying to sell for more than a year.
County commissioners had tentatively agreed to buy the 66 acres for $1.1 million a year ago. They pulled the plug on the deal after they ran into a buzz saw of opposition from neighbors. The county's handling of the purchase showed us the example of how not to ensure openness and transparency in the spending of public dollars for a public purpose.
Flat Rock got dragged into the controversy because the property is in the village and subject to village zoning. Learning from that, Mayor Bob Staton and the council set forth an open and transparent process to publicly explore the idea and all the options, including the potential for a 1- or 2-cent property tax increase to fund operating costs.
"The mayor has made it very clear to set a new example of how stuff like this can be considered," said Doug Johnson, a resident of Highland Lake Golf Villas who felt burned by the county's closed process. "It won't be done in the dark of midnight without people understanding what we're trying to do."
The Board of Commissioners itself has shown a more enlightened approach to shedding light. Although some board members rebuffed questions when the Hendersonville Lightning broke the news that the county was considering the purchase of the Hendersonville Christian School property, commissioners in their next meeting talked openly about the possibility. It is far better to talk openly about a possible land purchase and the planned use before the vote than after.
Staton and the Village Council have insisted that the exploratory committee hold open meetings, give the public a chance to speak and consider the merits and liabilities of the possible park purchase.
Whatever course the committee recommends and whatever the final outcome, Flat Rock residents should be pleased that their elected representatives chose to make the process comprehensive, clear and open.