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The Lovers' Lane Public Park in eastern Lauderdale County lies approximately one mile south of the Rogersville city limits. It has for many years been a familiar site in the area, but no more. Now it's the subject of controversy.
The private park was an informal affair before the formation of a board to oversee the recreational area in 2001. Recently the board, under the direction of Ben Thomas Watkins, decided to sell the park, perhaps because of disuse since the advent of the water park in the nearby town?
This sale has caused at least two kerfluffles among residents of the area. The property was sold to Charles Michael Roberson (pictured above), the brother-in-law of Lauderdale County Commissioner Roger Garner. Roberson owns a farm adjacent to the property, but many feel the businessman's intentions are to erect low-income housing on the county land which carries few restrictions.
While that's not an issue that goes far beyond the eastern end of the county, the second, more troubling issue extends to the entire state. In 2008, 2015, and 2016, the park received grants from the Research Conservation and Development authority, a taxpayer funded entity. These grants were earmarked either entirely or partially for playground equipment. The newest equipment would be around five years old.
Since purchasing the park, Roberson has advertised the equipment for sale, even specifically stating its approximate age. In other words, the well-connected farmer knew the state-funded equipment had value.
Now many are asking:
1. Isn't money owed the taxpayers of the state? If so...
2. Does the park board owe the money?
3. Does Roberson owe the money?
We're going with the park board. This is just one of many instances where public funds are given out willy-nilly with no follow-up. If the park board refuses to address the issue, it would seem this is another fitting subject to present to the Alabama Ethics Commission.
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One reader has asked us what the board did with the money received from the sale. Besides public grants, many private citizens donated to the park. The reader also asked if a board can legally sell a public entity, could the Ag Center board someday sell that white elephant to someone's brother-in-law?
It's a very salient question; could it?
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I have noticed a whole lot of public funds redirected to private endeavors. While such practices may not be new, they look more prevalent than I’ve seen elsewhere. I call it the connected-person’s welfare. Is it too much to ask that we practice a little more conservatism when it comes to public funds? Lest we forget, the voters can redirect the ship if they desire.
ReplyDeleteIf the playground equipment was public funded I think it should have been removed before the sale and relocated to a different public venue. While we can debate who theoretically owes whom for the “misappropriated” funding, it is very unlikely anyone will be held accountable. It is smart to know which side of the ethical razor’s edge you stand. I use “misappropriated” lightly because from the outside it all looks within the legal boundaries.