My 15 Minutes of Fame
May 4, 2018: My condo complex is situated around a public golf course in Melbourne Florida. Mallard Landing and Craine Creek – due to the extensive losses the city has incurred over the last 10 years. Now all kinds of thoughts went through my head – like more condos on the 200 acre parcel that Mallard Landing adjoins creating increased density, congestion and possible increase or decrease of property value.
Earlier this week I attended my first ever city council meeting. I wanted to hear what the plans were and whether it’s too late to sell or whether my much coveted view will be drastically diminished. Much to my surprise, every member on that council wanted to keep the golf course even though it has lost millions of dollars since owning it. During the meeting an extensive review of financials for the last 10 years was laid out, discussed and decided to change the way the golf courses are reported on the books and to include them in the general fund and not treat them as separate entities with no relation to the parks and recreation budget.
They asked people from the audience to speak. Many were golfers, employees of the golf course, and of course, yours truly – a non-golfer who sees a significant need for the city and the golf courses to improved their marketing efforts. I was given 3 minutes to speak, and within those 3 minutes I outlined some marketing options that would improve visibility, increase membership, and overall improve the bottom line. The council was thrilled to have my input and many agreed that marketing is an absolute critical need for these two public golf courses. The council was also thrilled with the fact that so many of the general public with a vested interest in the golf course attended the meeting.
I’ve lived in Melbourne, Florida for 3 years, and I achieved my 15 minutes of fame in all of 3 minutes. Who would have thought it would be at a city council meeting on the 1st of May. Quite the May Day event with a positive outcome.
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