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From: Myra Emerson <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Additions to Letter
Here are some additions and revisions to the letter.
Myra Emerson
--------------- Text of forwarded message ---------------
>Date: Wed, 13 Dec 2000 11:08:10 -0600
>Subject: Additions to Letter
>From: "Carol DeProsse"
>To: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask],
> [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask],
> [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask]
>
>Nick Johnson has suggested some additions to the letter. I believe
>they add strength to our arguments. Clara suggested taking out our
>alternative project "prairie restoration" with the idea that they
>could propose some remnants of our scheme and say they met our
>objections. I agree with her suggestion and have deleted the related
>sentences. All the rest stays the same with the exception of the
>following copy per Nick. Opinions? Carol
>
>There are so many risks inherent in a project of this magnitude that
>it is inconceivable for any public money to be contributed to its
>construction and operation. Following are only a few points of
>issue:
>
>1. Unless the bankruptcy laws are repealed private investors would
>walk away from the project unscathed if the project fails. No one
>can accurately predict the future, but hard times will come again
>just as surely as the world's rainforests get robbed of their plant
>and animal life to be transplanted into alien structures on foreign
>soil. And if the project fails, what then? All that would remain
>would be a decaying artificial tropical rainforest, an empty hotel,
>and a school struggling to survive on a piece of depleted land
>located at the intersection of major interstates.
>
>2. If, as stated by Mr. Townsend, that there have been three or four
>economic analyses that demonstrate the project's economic health to
>such a degree that investors will be repaid in seven years, why is
>any public money being utilized? All the risk should be on the backs
>of private investors and no public dollars should be used
>speculatively for a project of this magnitude.
>
>3. What kind of monitoring will there be of backers' profits? Is
>there provision for any of them to be returned to the state or local
>community?
>
>4. What is the administrative/governance model of Iowa CHILD? Where
>does the ultimate decision-making power reside? With the owners?
>With some public body? These are matters of legal right, not matters
>of grace. The owners would be fools not to ask for some input from
>educators, as they have already done. That's a matter of grace. The
>issue, however, is what if the educators and the owners don't agree
>on the design of the school, or the presence of displays questioning
>the corporate destruction of the real rain forests, or the
>methodology to be used to teach children or instruct teachers as how
>to teach? Who will have the power to make such decisions over the
>objections of all others interested in the project and who have an
>investment in it by the use of public monies?
>
>5. What private financial benefits flow from this project to local
>citizen support, sometimes referred to as "rent-a-citizen"? Who
>stands to benefit from the development of the adjacent land? Has
>anyone been paid a consultant fee, or been put on a board that
>provides expenses or other compensation, given a trip or other perk,
>stock ownership, etc.
>
>6. What is the total public bill for this project? Not dribs and
>drabs, but the total cost of additional roads, sewers, tax
>forgiveness, in addition to the gifts of cash and land? Is there any
>provision at all, with or without interest, for a repayment of any
>of these public expenses for private profit, or are they all, in
>fact, a gift?
>
>We support the use of Vision Iowa funds to be used in accordance
>with the spirit and letter of the enabling legislation, something
>Iowa CHILD does not do. This project should not be approved by the
>Board of Directors of Iowa Vision.
>
>
>Sincerely,
>
>
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