Coral Hospitality will take over 5 Georgia State Parks

Son of Norway wrote:
"the state is planning to make $5 million in improvements"

I hope the citizens of Georgia realize that their tax money and natural heritage is being handed away to profit a few owners of a large corporation that will only make it more expensive for the average person to enjoy what should be their birthright.

Miles

P.S. and Noel I would be the first to agree that if Coral Hospitality was bearing the cost and risk of owning a state park that they should enjoy the profits. But that is not the case in these private give-aways of what should be part of the public trust.

I will start my response with I have no ducks in the hunt and I don't. But there are several issues with this statement. The contention that "their tax money and natural heritage is being handed away to profit a few owners of a large corporation that will only make it more expensive for the average person to enjoy what should be their birthright." is complete conjecture. I know nothing of this company but the article says their take is 3.25% of the gross from which they will pay expenses. Their track record appears to be good in managing hotels, golf courses and investing but no venture is guaranteed. The state so much as admitted they were doing a bad job of managing the parks so why not give them a chance. I am certain the fees that can charged were part of the negotiations and they will not have carte blanche to charge fees at will. You can bet that any archeological significant areas require strict oversight by the state and the contract has a definite term of limits in which they will manage the properties including clauses of termination for failing to meet their obligations.