Why Precedent Matters

Why Precedent Matters

When influence can be used to secure a public asset, it sets a dangerous precedent. If one person can buy public land through quiet processes and off-season meetings, what’s to stop others with money, legal knowledge, or political connections from doing the same?

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⚠️ A Playbook for Privilege

Concern: When wealthy or well-connected individuals succeed in acquiring public land, it creates a model for others to follow.
Impact: Future land deals may be expedited with minimal transparency and public input, prioritizing private gain over community interests.

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🧱 Erosion Happens Gradually

Observation: Public access isn't lost overnight. It's chipped away, one parcel at a time.
Result: By the time people realize what’s happening, the cumulative damage to community access, environmental protection, and public trust is already deep.

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🗳️ Undermining Democratic Process

Issue: Holding critical meetings during off-seasons or holidays reduces participation.
Result: Residents most affected by these decisions are left out of the conversation, weakening civic representation and legitimacy.

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🚧 Trust in Governance Fades

Consequence: When decisions are made behind closed doors, public trust erodes.
Result: Citizens lose confidence in leadership and question whose interests the city is really serving.

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Bottom Line: This is about more than a single parcel. It’s about the kind of city we want to be. Upholding fairness, transparency, and shared responsibility is essential to protecting the public good today and for the future.

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Public Land Is Not a Private Upgrade

Public land should never be treated as a private upgrade for a single homeowner. When a waterfront resident demands the right to purchase public shoreline, the benefit is theirs alone, but the loss is shared by everyone else.

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💵 Unequal Exchange

Impact: The rest of us still pay the same taxes but lose walkability, shared space, and coastal access that contribute to our neighborhood’s character and home values.
Result: Their property may rise in value, but only by diminishing ours.

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⚖️ From Equity to Exclusion

Issue: Selling off public land to appease a privileged few undermines the spirit of a fair and inclusive city.
Result: It prioritizes individual gain over the collective good, setting a harmful example for future land management decisions.

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Bottom Line: A fair city protects shared resources. The public shoreline belongs to everyone, and preserving that access is essential for maintaining equity, community character, and the future of Lake Worth Beach.