from The Lebanon Democrat::March 16, 2009
Our Readers Viewpoints : To the Editior
by: Heather Scott

This letter is in response to the pro-park proponents including Don Fox and his letter supporting the Bible Park on March 5.

A pro-park argument has been made about construction jobs resulting within months of the approval. In order to begin construction, funding must be in place. In order to get funding, you have to have a financial plan. To date, there has yet to be a financial plan presented by the developer (or an independent third party impact study completed to date for that matter). No financial plans, no construction jobs. And how can local governments’ rubber stamp approval without seeing these types of documents?

Another pro-park argument is that part-time jobs will be created at the theme park. This is fine and dandy if the theme park has longevity, but it’s no secret that several elected officials have said this park will fail in the end. If the park fails, the jobs go away. Wouldn’t it be better to recruit more stable businesses that can offer full time jobs to Wilson County instead? And what type of credibility would we have recruiting business if the Bible Park goes through? The entire concept is built on hypocrisy and will make the county a joke. In fact, I’ve had an inquiry from an individual wanting to know where the adult book section will be located in the park after finding out the concept creator worked for Penthouse once upon a time.

The argument for increases in revenue from sales and property taxes is another pro-park rally cry. The county will not see any increase in property taxes on the Bible Park property improvements until the bonds are paid off because of the TIF that was passed. That is 30 years from now if the park is successful. The property is in an ideal spot for private business development, which would result in the county receiving an increase in property taxes on the property improvements immediately.

While the Bible Park pitch may sound good, it really means that tax revenue that would normally come into the county coffers to pay for emergency management services, housing criminals in the jail to keep them off the streets, providing funding for schools to educate children and general county operations will be diverted to pay for the bonds. Can we really afford to wait 30 years to receive property tax revenue with the Bible Park versus receiving the revenue immediately with a private developer?

And while I’m on the subject of TIFs, the county has not set any criteria for TIFs. We’re setting a bad precedent by extending an open invitation to all businesses to take advantage of a TIF themselves. Think about the impact that would have on the property tax coffers.

The developers are also planning to have a 5-percent privilege tax, which will be dedicated by paying back the bonds. If the park fails, as some local leaders have predicted, there are no sales tax revenues to pay those bonds back.

I still hear the term no cost to the taxpayers. If that’s really the case, who will be paying for road improvements? Road maintenance? The State? Wilson County taxpayers are also state taxpayers.

Let’s look at a hypothetical situation. Say the park does fail after it’s built and the road built to the park was paid for by the state or local government bodies (which derives its revenues from the taxes paid by the citizens of Tennessee and/or the citizens of Lebanon).

If the park isn’t successful, wouldn’t it have been better to spend taxpayer dollars expanding road or roads in Wilson County, Lebanon, Mt. Juliet or Watertown that currently suffer from traffic congestion? Jobs would be created and many citizens would benefit from improved roads.

Being a firm believer in capitalism, if this was truly a “win/win” project, there would be no need for government intervention.

The recent actions of our federal government handing out taxpayer dollars like candy to a chosen few, thereby, condoning irresponsibility instead of demanding accountability have left the average American footing the bill for generations to come and raised questions about the competency of government.

The Bible Park is just one more example of the type of “funky monkey business” involving a government rewarding a few individuals at the expense of many.