BODY POLITIC by Jack Archibald, Atlantic Highlands Councilman published 31 January 2002

Click here Tell others about this page View archive

DIFFICULT DECISIONS ARE PART OF THE JOB

One of the early lessons of government service is that you can never make everyone happy, and difficult choices become part of the job. These difficult choices come in many different forms: from making borough appointments to prioritizing public works projects to rezoning property. There are two sides to every coin, and depending upon the issue, most local officials attempt to minimize damages to the side not chosen.

In recent days, a prominent local businessman has expressed his disappointment with the borough’s intention to create a concessionaires liquor license at one of the buildings in our municipal harbor. The rationale behind creating a new license is twofold: a prospective tenant will pay more with the license in place and it will generate more interest in the property. Our local businessman counters that the borough is devaluing his asset (an existing license) and that an unfair advantage is being given to a new business.

His point is well taken, but the argument turns on the good to the community. It serves our borough’s interest- and every First Avenue establishment- to have a vibrant harbor. One of the components of a vibrant harbor is the best possible use of our facilities, and if the harbor commission has determined that a concessionaire’s license is part of that upgrade, then the council should follow its recommendation.

The intention is not to harm our existing business or devalue their assets. The Harbor Commission and Borough Council are trying to make a building viable, not to set the price for liquor licenses. In fact, it could be argued that last week’s sale of a liquor license on the open market (for $52,000) has raised the bar for existing licenses.

The businessman has some valid points regarding free enterprise that are not easily discarded by the governing body. To his credit, he vocalized his objections publicly rather than grumble privately and may yet explore other options to protect his interests. It hurts to disappoint a local merchant, but difficult decisions are part of the job description for local officials.

Contact Jack Archibald - JCArch@msn.com  

http://www.ahherald.com/bodypolitic/ - Body Politic Archive

http://www.ahnj.com/ - Borough of Atlantic Highlands Website