Contributor Opinion By Joseph Jordan: Connect The Dots On Redgate

>This is a contributor opinion. Rockville Central encourages readers to submit such opinions for consideration — the more voices the better. We especially welcome people who disagree with us. We ask that all such contributions be civil and we reserve the right to edit (in consultation with the author) or reject. Contributor opinions should not be seen as reflecting opinions held by Rockville Central authors, as they are just as frequently at odds with our own views. That’s the whole point!

The following contributor opinion is by Joseph Jordan.

I have been hesitant to write an opinion piece on the controversy over how Redgate Golf Course will be managed. My hesitancy stemmed from weighing what might be best for the “factory”…the golf course itself, versus what would be best for the Redgate staff, residents of Rockville and the men, women and children that enjoy what Redgate offers. After Monday’s amazing outpouring, it is obvious to me, the City must keep management of Redgate with the City.

If you have been following the story in the Gazette and Sentinel, or watched the Council meeting Monday, you know the City is moving in the direction of turning the management of Redgate over to a third party, viz. the Montgomery County Revenue Authority. Brad Rourke covered the essence of what went on during Citizen Forum Monday. Over 60 people turned out in support of the City keeping management of the golf course within the City, and 25 to 30 of those spoke publicly to that point. While Brad did “..note that the depth of support did appear to move members of the Mayor and Council…”, it is my opinion all it did was maybe slow down an inevitable conclusion. Here is why I think that, and I welcome differing views.

First of all, it is extremely frustrating trying to get opinions made public because the Council has decided to meet every other week rather than weekly, and the Gazette and Sentinel are weekly publications. I love the idea of Rockville Central, but doubt it is seen by as many people that follow Council meetings or read the paper. So, here is what I want Rockville Central readers to do…please connect the dots on this Redgate business. I said from the very start that this was on a fast-track, a moving freight train that would be difficult to stop, or even slow down. However, as stated above, we did slow it down a bit this week. Why? Consider what was said by Councilmember [Piotr] Gajewski and Mayor [Susan] Hoffmann at Monday’s meeting..”…of course we will take public comment.”, “…we will of course have a hearing.”

Okay, now consider the facts stated by the City Manager, Scott Ullery, in this week’s Gazette. The target date to consummate the deal is April 1. The draft lease is expected to go before the council on March 23rd, which will be in general session. Without too much strain on the brain, one can deduce that, before the turnout Monday, the council will have had to vote on the decision that evening in order to meet the April 1 target date. To now say a public hearing will be held the following week, March 30th, and was always going to be held, is disingenuous at best. This, no doubt, would move the date for the Revenue Authority to take over because I assume the council will have to wait for the next council meeting to vote, which would be April 6th.

What is at issue is more than who manages Redgate. The issue is how our City government has chosen to do business. I continue to maintain things were done behind closed doors to prevent such outpourings as Monday and to get the deal closed as quickly as possible. The timeline was about as short as you could get it and still do business in a responsible fashion. I don’t want to see this swept under the carpet like other issues we still have no answers to, such as the Town Center pavers debacle. I believe we need to have all the facts on the evolution of this proposed deal. When did discussions start? Who was in those discussions? Who initiated the deal? Were RFP’s or RFQ’s sent to other golf course management companies? If not, why not; if not, were there even informal discussions with other management firms?

A public hearing is great, but to paraphrase the newly-former governor of Illinois…let’s hang him…wait, he’s entitled to a fair trial….right, let’s give him a trial then hang him.

Regardless of where you stand on whether or not Rockville should own and manage a golf course, please consider expressing your opinion at the public hearing on the 30th of March. You don’t have to a golfer. If you think the City should not run Redgate, come and tell them that and why. Likewise if you have an opposite view. But remember this, every Parks and Recreation facility and program is open to residents and non-residents, not only the golf course. Remember, every operation under Parks and Recreation gets taxpayer subsidies…not one I am aware of pays for itself, and Redgate is one that does (on a cash basis) or comes closest, and ask yourself why the golf course is the only amenity in the Parks and Rec department that remains an Enterprise Fund, exposing it like no other amenity, and not placed in the General Fund. I know it is a long way off, so write it on your calendars. Post your opinions here on Rockville Central. Watch a replay of Monday’s Council meeting on TRC 11, or at your convenience on the City website.

I won’t have many friends in City Hall these days, but I am passionate about this idea of openness and transparency. You should be too.

Joseph Jordan