Name:   Talullahhound - Subject:   No it isn't Date:   5/29/2021 4:53:31 PM

From the looks of things, many, many properties are now listed on AirB&B and VRBO as short term rentals.  People that actually own and live on Lake Martin are frequently complaining about the noise and boat traffic and the partying.  So if they want tourist nivanana that seems to be the way it will go.  

I'm not a golfer, so I really can't say if a new upper eschelon golf course will make a difference.  I could see that it might if it was tied in with a resort as part of a resort package.  I don't know if they have actually considered who these tourists they want to get might be, but I suspect they are not looking for the blue collar crowd.  I don't know if that is a miscalcuation or not.  I think as more and more people are turned off by the beach as family friendly, I think those are the people that might be interested in the Lake.  

I expressed quite a few opinions about the Thrift Store that is opening in the old Rite Aid building. By my casual count, this one makes 5 in Alex City.  I have nothing against Thrift Stores or those who shop them, but i wonder how that meshes with the upscale vision for the lake.  Someone pointed out that this particular chain has a store in Opelika, but Opelika has a lot of other shopping venues other than Thrift Stores.  It seems to me that Alex City still hasn't figured out what it wants to be, but it sure knows it needs revenue since the infrastructure is falling apart and they need money for that.  They don't like the deal that this new developer is offering because it puts AleX City finances on the spot.  I think if they hired a good professional negotiator to deal with this developer to get a deal they can live with.