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by Publisher and Managing Editor Citizens Should Question Economic Meddling
by Publisher and Managing Editor
Pleasant View City is an example of local cities that are attempting to correct problems created by their previous legislative actions. In past years Pleasant View City council has used its power to drive business as far out of town as possible. On the other hand, Ogden City has used its power over the years to drive the business district into a centrally concentrated and congested area. Both actions have had the same baneful effect – pushing toward the demise of business. Paradoxically, business is a source of needed revenue. Managers of private businesses know that business location for ease of access is one of the natural laws governing economic survival of a business. Now, some cities have realized that “single use” zoning ordinances created these problems and are trying to overcome them by instituting a quasi-governmental entity known as a Redevelopment Agency (RDA).
Pleasant View and Ogden are not the only cities going to the use of RDAs. Nearly all of the cities are using these socialistic agencies to gain more control of business and more ability to use tax funds arbitrarily. An RDA has the power to use eminent domain laws in situations where the city could not. RDAs can circumvent the zoning ordinances where the City Council, or a private business cannot.
It is Always Important for the Citizens to Question Economic Meddling by Our Government. (the Freedom Coalition)
One of the requirements on a private business is that development capitalization with its concomitant risk rests on the head of the business owners. Thus they are personally involved in the long term success of the enterprise. With an RDA development, the risk is placed on the head of the taxpayer. And since the taxpayer is not informed of what is going on; and the elected officials are short term and have no personal accountability, the RDA is open to all kinds of corruption, and likely long term failure at the expense of the tax payer. Ogden city is a prime example of this scenario - having seen the recent collapse of the first government takeover of the down-town area, and having received news just recently that the present takeover is in financial trouble because the renters are not paying. The revised estimate of pay-off time was doubled. In North Ogden, the RDA used some of its capital to fund the Swimming Pool - which the people had voted not to fund. RDA funds are at the whim of the RDA Board (aka City Council).
Boyer Corporation has had difficulty in obtaining private business capitalization for development of an area in Pleasant View because the demographics (proximity of residential areas) have not been indicative of success. It is not evident what gives the political leaders there assurance to invest in an area that is even less advantageous than Boyer’s prospect.
Out of concern for freedom, The Freedom Coalition has stated: “It is always important for the citizens to question economic meddling by our Government”.
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