On Friday afternoon a new video was posted to the City of Apopka's Facebook page. Nothing unusual about that, the City posts several videos on Facebook every week.
However this video was different.
Club Lake Plantation, a privately-owned wedding/event venue on Rock Springs Road in Apopka, was the subject of this video.
If you are not familiar with Club Lake Plantation use this link to learn more.
If you have not viewed the video, check it out here:
We were surprised that the City had decided to promote a privately-owned enterprise on their Facebook Page, so we reached out to the City's Public Information Officer, Robert Sargent, and asked a few questions:
The Apopka Voice (TAV): “Why has a video promoting Club Lake Plantation been posted on the City’s Facebook page?”
Robert Sargent (RS): “It’s a video - like several I have created before - highlighting the beautiful aspects of Apopka. It is part of our economic development efforts to attract visitors and to promote businesses in our city. I plan on doing more.”
TAV: “How much did it cost to produce this video?”
RS: “Nothing. I created it myself today – among many other work activities.”
TAV: “How many man-hours? What city-owned equipment was used?”
RS: “Less than a couple of hours total and a camera.”
TAV: “How did you get to the location? How did you edit the video?”
RS: “I drove. My computer.”
Clearly, Sargent did not see any problem with using City resources to promote a privately-owned business, so we asked a few more questions:
TAV: “Is there a list of other businesses that you intend to promote?”
RS: “No. The Apopka community has so many positive aspects to promote – I likely will be very busy.”
TAV: “What is the selection criteria?”
RS: “Most anything that I feel makes Apopka great and has public appeal.”
To be clear, The Apopka Voice has nothing against the Club Lake Plantation. It is a beautiful place and a lovely wedding venue, but so is the Dubsdread-managed Highland Manor and Apopka Golf & Tennis at Errol for example.
Is it appropriate for The City of Apopka to use taxpayer money to promote businesses that they think make Apopka great and have public appeal?
Should the City really be involved in promoting one business and not another?
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