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BUY IT CHEAP AND THEN FLIP IT
Is the Geneva Inn, and the properties it has accumulated up on that ridge of land hanging over the edge of Lake Geneva like an executioner’s axe blade, for sale again?
The woman who owns Expect a Miracle, a property on the lake not too far from Stone Manor on South Lake Shore Drive, actually went into lengthy negotiations with the Geneva Inn not too long ago. The sticking point ended up being her unwillingness to have the other nearby properties (surrounding the Inn) added to the deal. The deal fell through. The Geneva Inn remained on the market for almost a year following that failed transaction.
A Lake Geneva or Town of Linn resident might ask: what difference does it make? It comes down to motive. What kind of motivation will the owners of the Geneva Inn have at their foundation if they get this rotten annexation deal through, coupled with a much more favorable zoning ordinance, and then topped off with being handed the tip of the Geneva Lake development spear? The value of the property will skyrocket and there will be Hummel, sitting just yards across the road, salivating to the point that pouring drool will be coming down to the bottom of its snout. Hummel will buy the Inn and that will complete the first circle of the witch’s coven.
Cauldron boil and cauldron bubble, as this Lake Geneva enemy of the public swoops in to begin its conversion of Geneva Lake into the kind of weird water park and jungle boat tour that corporations like theirs have made of the Dells. Many people, particularly those who are conservative and fiscally responsible, might agree that the Hummel people should be allowed to make money in any way that suits them. This is America, and the latest national election should put a feather in the cap of that kind of thinking. But what is it that ‘freedom’ is really not freedom at all? What if that freedom involves the destruction of the quiet and peaceful ambiance so many citizens living around the lake enjoy, moved here for, or came to because they were running from a Dells kind of development?
The Geneva Shore Report is watching the annexation issue very closely and nowhere in any of its writings has the Geneva Inn been referred to as a ‘property pimp’ or a real estate ‘prostitute.’ That kind of reference would be unkind, even if it was true. The Inn owners do not drive around the lake in purple Cadillacs with spinners for hub caps, and they don’t come at you wearing spike heels and blond wigs. That they want the public’s money is right there out front and positioned for everyone to see. The owners of the Geneva Inn want to take the true value of the lake, as if it was their very own, and harvest every bit of ambiance, good will, beauty and purity they can get. Just like the consequences of dealing with a pimp or a prostitute, however, there will be something on the other side for the residents, citizens and taxpayers of Lake Geneva.
That something is likely to be termed the same thing a ‘john’ gets from participating in such a metaphorical transaction. If the public needed it that badly, and experienced ravenous craving while staggering around outside in the parking lot of the Sugar Shack, then even the owners of the Geneva Inn (in drag) or Hummel (wearing a blond wig set askew) might not look so bad. The Geneva Shore Report is standing right here in front of that even to get your attention, and urge you to sober up. These players are coming. And they are not playing tidily winks with manhole covers. They have hired Joe Wirth, a veteran attorney who was part of the late great Mayor Chessen’s defense team (he never went to prison, which was astounding), and that should tell you something. The city, the Town of Linn and the major players are all communicating that they are ready and willing to accept and defend the significant lawsuits that are going to be generated by this annexation. Why? Because they are playing the city and the town for all the chips. They are “all in” and the citizens and residents better be ready to match their bet.
How depressing these people that look at Lake Geneva and just see dollar signs. Greedy bastards.
Funny thing is when I hear people talk about keeping “the lake” pristine is that they seem to want to have their proverbial cake and eat it too. They want Lake Geneva to be Mayberry RFD but still manage to rake in all those tourism dollars.
Here’s the reality.
Things are changing. Times are changing. People have MANY options as to where their recreation dollars are spent. The “good old days” of people driving up on Friday to spend the weekend sitting on a boat drinking is going the way of the dinosaur. People want options. People want choices. People want numerous and various activities available to them. If you expect tourists to keep on staying in our $300 per night hotel rooms and eating at (arguably) overpriced restaurants, we need to make sure the city keeps up with the changing requirements.
I don’t think that allowing some development on the lake is a bad thing. Just as people have the “right” to want things left as/is, people also have the right to expand their business, seek new opportunities, and creatively use their land. No one wants Lake Geneva to go overboard and become Atlantic City or the Florida Keys, but it’s like the saying “Times are changing…and those that don’t change get left behind.”
Somewhere there’s a balance but as long as some continue to demonize the other point of view, we’ll never find out what that is.
Balance is always good,
BUT how does one know who has the power to tip the balance or re-write the scenario?
May we ask the question, if you had property next door how far would you agree for change in venue?
The thing with power is that no matter who wields it, someone is bound to be mad with the results. I believe in property owners rights. Having family that owns farm land, i find it disturbing that the “community” and the neighborhood can arbitrarily make decisions as to how and what a person can do with land they own. “Zoning” being the perfect example. I also believe in the system. The system allows us to elect officials that say they’ll do the will of the people, all the people, not just the vocal few. We have to trust that those officials will carry out that will. If for some reason they don’t, it’s our responsibility as citizens to elect new people who will, if not, we deserve who we elect so to speak. It’s not an easy decision. The powers that be must decide what’s best for everyone, and that means taking into consideration if additional revenues and tax dollars (and what can be done with said money) outweigh the changes to nature. It’s a balance and I tend to think the old saying holds true A Good Negotiation Is When Both Parties End Up Equally Dissatisfied.
As for me personally, if I had property next door and had to make a decision without seeing the details, I’d tend to side with individual rights over whatever rights a group believes they have.
Thanks for your clear and concise comment. We believe that “changing zoning” many times becomes a self serving decision for a few and the the whole.
Another reason for the citizenry to be aware and willing to engage, even the the change might NOT directly affect their neighborhood.
Connected to the farming community, you have probably seen cases in the past, in many areas, where Farmer A’s land is rezoned for ‘subdivision’
and soon after the remaining farm land is considered a nuisance.
I must say, it’s refreshing to have a legitimate conversation about issues that doesn’t turn into an anger filled name calling session.
I agree with you about zoning. Too often the masses don’t take the time to educate themselves about the long term effects of zoning changes. Your farming example is perfect. I’ve seen instances where farm land is rezoned housing then after a subdivision is built, the new owners complain about “the smell”.
Unfortunately the opposite is also true. People use zoning rules as a NIMBY deterrent. I’ve got my nice house, business, etc and I don’t want anyone else to “ruin my view” so to speak. The Edwards Blvd extension comes to mind. I think that’s worked out pretty well for the community and it’s citizens.
My hope is that journalists such as yourself and the LGRN will continue to keep people informed to both sides of the debate so we the people can make an informed decision.