Editor’s note: This letter was sent to local and state political leaders, including Plant City Mayor Mary Thomas Mathis, Vice Mayor Rick Lott, city commissioners Bill Dodson, Billy Keel and Mike Sparkman, City Manager Greg Horwedel, City Attorney Kenneth Buchman, City Clerk Kerri Miller, Director of Planning and Zoning Mark Hudson, Florida state Rep. Dan Raulerson and U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross.
Please be advised, that I attended an ad-hoc community gathering at the Walden Lake Community Center, to discuss the festering issues surrounding the current state of affairs and futures plans of the privately owned Walden Lake Golf & Country Club.
Because of the overflow capacity of more than 300 concerned residents, the meeting was held outside in the heat. The Plant City Observer subsequently published a story detailing the concerns and grievances of those gathered.
I am hoping my letter to you as elected officials and other community leaders will spark your interest to review the issues at hand for all involved; namely, the City of Plant City, the residents of Walden Lake, the schools system, and, yes, even the owners of the country club.
I understand, that the Walden Lake Golf Club is a privately owned entity, and I have empathy for anyone trying to operate a business in troubled economic times. However, as residents, we also have private property rights, and we are concerned that city zoning, city ordinances and possible state law issues are at hand.
This is not about golf.
The current owners of the country club have shuttered one-half of the golf course, for at least the third year. We have received no notifications. Those living on or near the shuttered course are subjected to mice running rampant in the uncut fields and a deplorable eyesore. We also find it strange the state incurred costs to have the Southwest Florida Water Management District route reclaimed water to the course, yet such water does not appear to reach the grass.
A previous press release from when the country club owners received funding from the Kennedy Funding Group, described an investment in a 36-hole pristine golf and country club gem in beautiful Plant City. A more recent email from the current owners of the country club was read to all those who attended the meeting. The current owner described his plans to close the course, tear down the clubhouse and develop town homes, a community park and possibly a par-3 golf course.
Needless to say, everyone was shocked.
It appears the owners and operators of the country club are morphing into developers and land speculators. Has anyone in government held public or private discussions regarding these schemes? And if so, have these developers received encouragement to move ahead with these schemes?
At minimum, the current owners understand the importance of their property to Walden Lake residents. Last year, they had petitioned the Walden Lake Community Association to levy a $360 annual fee to support their endeavors — “in everyone’s financial interest” was the pitch.
I try to frequent and support many local businesses; we are a community. However, these businesses provide a quality product and service. In fairness, I do not know all the facts surrounding these past discussions; communication to the public has been poor at best. Suffice it to say though, as a resident of Plant City, I don’t believe any business has a right to strong-arm or bully taxpaying residents.
It is a shame the country club owners chose not to attend the meeting. It could have been a wonderful opportunity to communicate with their customer base, and their absence spoke volumes. Therefore, I am hoping our elected and community leaders will look into the interests of the community of Walden Lake, the city and the state, as it pertains to the private operation and future plans of the country club.
In this “impact assessment,” I would hope several things could be done:
• An immediate health-risk assessment of the course and facilities;
• An audit of any possible concessions or subsidies made by the City of Plant City (i.e. school contracts, etc.), Swiftmud (reclaimed water supply at reduced rates), Small Business Administration, the State of Florida or any other government entity in support of the country club, to review the fulfillment of any commitments made by the club owners to the public taxpayers;
• An examination of what communications, mandated by law, have been made or omitted; and
• A review of property taxes, because hundreds of people no longer live on a golf course but a “pasture,” at best.
I sincerely hope the situation can be rectified, so that once again, we can see the Walden Lake Golf and Country Club become the pride of Plant City. The current lack of communication and leadership produces a cloud that is not good for their business or our community. In the end, I suppose the residents have other options to protect their interests — unfortunately that could include “For Sale” signs. We hope this urgent matter is not ignored.
Donald Marshall