City on Alert for Corporate Invasion

In this little city where I live, there is but one time a year when the city goes on alert.  It’s quite comical really.

Several of the businesses put on all their glitz for everyone coming to town.  Some businesses even close for the week so employees can escape the city or participate in the spectacle that is “The Masters.”

This year is no different than last.  The higher end neighborhoods are making sure all the yards are landscaped nice and pretty for the corporations coming in and renting the houses for their executives and guests.  It’s like Augusta lives only for this one time of the year.  While it’s great for the local economy, it also shows the outrageous spending corporation executives are doing all for their personal pleasure & gain.

It seems to me, in this slow growing US economy, the money could be used to reinvest back into the company, creating jobs and spurring the economy in a massive way.

Now, I’m not complaining about the way this city has put so much emphasis on this one event to boost its economy.  More power to them….Lord knows they need as much of the cash flow to come in as possible.  A city who pays their sheriff a six figure income thanks to a raise he received while not even in office two months.  Teachers aren’t paid what they are worth for what they have to put up with and aren’t provided the resources needed.  I could go further but I’ll leave that for another post.

What I’m trying to say is if you really want to see the real Augusta then come back when it’s not “Masters Week.”  Then you’ll see the city without its false facade up for the one time a year visitors.  During “Masters Week”, it feels like the poor are gathered up and hidden from the public eye – like the city doesn’t want folks to see what’s really going on here.  The economy is struggling and continues to bank on this once a year event to carry it through.  The poor keep getting poorer and the rich keep getting richer while complaining about the trivial things.  Folks like me are stuck in the middle wanting to do better for myself and my family with no real opportunities to.  One of my concerns here is this one-act play Augusta puts on – – “All the world’s a stage and we are merely actors in it.”  Let’s just not put all our eggs in one basket.

Yes, Augusta has some really great areas for locals and visitors alike to visit.  For the most part the people here are nice.    There are quaint little areas to just sit & read, great little cafes, dusty little local bookstores, an area of shops dedicated to local artisans, and so much more.  So, I say come visit Augusta during the non-Masters weeks, this city is so much more than a one week golf tournament but it’s not a fantasy land either.

As for the other concern, these corporate executives who come in and spend thousands upon thousands of company money (I do find it a bit ridiculous) on tickets, housing, catering – – –  donate the money to charity, invest it back into your companies – do something to help this country.

If you want to come and enjoy the tournament, spend your own personal money, have a little respect for the employees who have been busted their butts for your company…those who actual put in the long hours to generate an income for your company and what about the shareholders who are looking for a dividend?  You’ll write the trip off as a business trip expense without regard for the effect it has on the bottom line of the financials…all so you can say you attended “The Masters”.

Just a little food for thought from one of the actors running around in the “Masters” world of Augusta.