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It's bizarro world when
tree huggers insist that the market mechanism will self-adjust to reach
equilibrium and clear-cutters insist that the government intervention is
absolutely necessary to preserve our way of life. Welcome to Key West
2005.
In this case, the tree
huggers are those who believe (and rightly so) that hotel-to-condo
conversions will alleviate the gross overuse of our infrastructure and
natural resources by an ever-expanding massive tourist influx. That is
obviously where the market is headed and so be it! The clear cutters are
those who believe that building 10,000 affordable housing units in the
Keys will help alleviate the housing woes of the masses who are here to
serve a never-ending stream of low-end tourists.
It was not too many years
ago when mass tourism was just beginning to get out of hand, people were
mourning the loss of old Key West and Ed Swift wrote in this very
selection of the paper that we should simply trust the market mechanism.
Now, city commissioner Scales, a Republican, is suggesting that
government intervention is necessary to ensure an ever-expanding growth
on a never-expanding island. Meanwhile, Last Stand can be quite smug as
it watches where the market is headed and say yes, let's leave it to the
market.
This letter is in
response to John Dolan-Heitlinger's anxiety-enhancing commentary on the
ghost of Key West future. I say Bah Humbug! I must assume that Mr.
Dolan-Heitlinger is being forthright in his effort to scare the bejesus
out of us, yet his assumptions are extreme.
Those who profit from
quantity tourism at the expense of quality tourism have something to
fear from where the market is heading. Yes, there will be a shift of
jobs and retail and that shift is exactly what we should hope for: The
demise of junk stores, T-shirt shops and tourist trap restaurants. I
think many will agree with me in saying "Good Riddance" to those
businesses which are a blight on our island and have been creeping ever
further up and down Duval Street from their origins in the 300 block.
Maybe Duval Street can now become what is should have been in the first
place-something comparable to Lincoln Road. Yes, we had a choice long
ago and we chose Bourbon Street over Lincoln Road. It is time to follow
the advice of those who for so long said to trust the market.
It is not that I do not
believe that affordable housing is necessary; clearly we need more. The
real question is how do we create more housing without creating an even
greater demand for housing from an economy that grows beyond
sustainablility. We would not need 10,000 units if we focused our
efforts toward fewer tourists spending more dollars . . . yes, dare I
say it, the right kind of tourists. Elitist? Perhaps, but so what? The
word elitist has been perverted. Before Ronald Reagan, the word elitist
described the powerful who manipulate government for their own
self-interest; now, those very people use "elitist" to describe anyone
who would want to balance environmental and community concerns with
growth and development.
Well, growth is not an
option in a place that is getting no bigger! The article describes such
reputable organizations as the World Wildlife Fund and Thousand Friends
of Florida with a negative connotation as special interest groups; we
should be suspicious. Keepers of the status quo who want tot onslaught
of mass tourism to continue are playing the class card. Those who are
very wealthy — well, their life is no doubt more convenient than most
but should we hold success against anyone? NO — good for them! The fact
is that the wealthy here are contributing to an overall better
experience for those of us who choose to stay. Contrast fine
restaurants, a symphony, and a vibrant art scene with a proliferation of
junk stores and crass slogans.
The supposed free market
disciples will continue using fear tactics to preserve the status quo.
If it takes government intervention, so be it! This 180 day
condo-conversion moratorium is just the beginning. Do not let the dismal
predictions scare you. Sustainablility is an option which we must
nurture. The alternative is truly scary.
Kent Ducote
Key West |
