Merlin's Magic Wand Makes Taxes Disappear
Dear Nieces and Nephews
This is another installment in the Legoland Legend.
In a recent Goshen Chronicle, Merlin Entertainments proudly proclaims that: “Legoland New York raised $10,000 at its first annual gala, “A Knight of Magic”
(It was truly magical to change the water of the Otterkill from clear to brown!)
This was a Black Tie Affair held in early June to support the charitable arm of Merlin Entertainments, ‘Merlin’s Magic Wand” which “…supports the lives of children facing illness, disability or adversity around the globe”.
PHIL SAID: “If you drive past the site of our park on Route 17 in Goshen, you’ll see construction is in full swing…(Our opinion, it should read: “Destruction” is in full swing). We’re excited to be part of a new tourism corridor that will bring more than 6 million visitors and 4,000 jobs to the Hudson Valley, and to support Merlin’s Magic Wand in bringing the LEGOLAND experience to every child who wants one.”
You would think he donated the money out of his own pocket! Folks, think, really think about this. Whose money went to the “Magic Wand”? YOURS! those of YOU who donated the money in June!
Not Merlin, Not Legoland.
In case you are confused, Magic Wand is the Merlin Entertainments version of “Make a Wish”, as long as the wish is to go to Legoland. And the money you donated pays for it. All the while, Merlin gets good PR.
And whose money subsidizes Legoland NY? YOURS! Because, as reveled in this article about supposed largess, you will also see that Merlin received substantial tax breaks to situate Legoland in Goshen.
“Legoland New York will reap around $38 million in tax breaks through a *20-year payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) program approved last fall by the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA). Without the PILOT, Merlin would have owed the county, municipalities, school districts and fire districts about $125 million.”
*Remember, Merlin originally wanted a 30 year tax break (PILOT) until the multitude raised a really big fuss calling for certain “heads to roll”. The 20 year PILOT was a “compromise”, one very acceptable to them. Also this does not include millions in grant monies given by the State.
Merlin Legoland raised $10,000 of your money and saves $38 Million and they will make a profit if established. As a result, the general public thinks Merlin is generous.
Well, Auntie and the Team believe that it is easy to be generous with another person’s money, especially when one is saving a fortune while doing it!
Let’s review what we have so far regarding this “magic” land to be built in Goshen, NY by the wand-waving Merlin.
WE HAVE a developer of amusement parks who polarized a community before they had approvals to build. Legoland used a strategy of pitting local businesses against residents. Legoland cleverly dismissed the concerns of residents, cast them in the role of “nutters” and then managed to convince certain officials to see those residents (neighbors, friends and family) in that unfavorable light. We wonder what promises were made to the local business owners and others. Why did they believe promises of “money royling in” (sorry-couldn’t resist) because of Legoland? Have any of you noticed how Phil dances away now when you approach him at social events? He doesn’t need you anymore. (Words like “snubbed” and “used” come to mind.)
WE HAVE a developer of amusement parks (with a weak, basic theme: bricks**) who seems to prefer building in environmentally sensitive areas. In Goshen, they are doing so while destroying the local environment. (Is there any excuse for not knowing the difference between 5 acres and 98-100 acres when clear cutting?)
**PHIL SAID: To me, it all comes down to the Lego bricks and the children who visit our park to make sure they have the most immersive experience possible. -
What a great theme! Now let’s build an amusement park based on nails and screws…
Additionally, you do not have to take our word for it, check out this video:
(independent production, not ours, but very good)
And the expansion in Windsor (UK) runs along similar lines:
“A planning report by the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead recommended that councillors refuse the application, citing the visitor accommodation plan on green belt land was "inappropriate" and would "result in a significant visual intrusion".”
As is usual with planning applications of this nature, the planning permission will be subject to a number of conditions to ensure the development is carried out within acceptable parameters.
Blah blah blah! The Goshen Planning board attorney, Rick Golden, said almost the same thing and we have a brown creek and a clear-cut 100 acres which was until recently, a pristine wooded area. The same will happen in Windsor with the Legoland expansion onto green belt land if Merlin Entertainments operates in the same manner. ( As we say in the States, it looks like a “Done Deal”. )
“Planning board attorney Rick Golden advised board members that the DEIS had to be found adequate before it could be released to the public and interested agencies. If they found it inadequate, Merlin, Legoland's parent company, must revise the document so that it complies with the scope. It would then be released for review by the public and interested agencies.”
(We do not accept your assurances, Rick, considering the outcomes.)
WE HAVE a developer of amusement parks with a penchant for proximity to “historic areas” (Goshen, Windsor) who, in our theory, needs to be in close proximity to such areas to get the ***“residual tourist”.
From a marketing perspective, the historic sites are perfect for Legoland to get those “residual tourists” but that being true for Goshen NY is a mistake, on a number of fronts. Goshen is a historic district and yes, somewhat of a tourist attraction, but not to the extent of a Windsor Castle!!!
Picture the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead which is touted as “London’s country estate!” Imagine the Ladies-at-Ascot wearing their finest millinery! Picture the tourists visiting the borough’s idyllic parks and gardens or the museums and guildhall! Except for the historic site “residual tourist” we do not see how these attractions would transition to the manufactured plastic and fake environment of Legoland. https://www.windsor.gov.uk/
***A Family with children visiting historic sites with their children, to the point where these children are screaming, restless and bored. “All right, all right” those parents say, “Enough history, what can we do with these kids? Aha! we will go to Legoland”.
Imagine the River Thames, one of the cleanest rivers in a metro area, reverting back to the status of “biologically dead” as it was 50 years ago. Legoland is close enough to affect the river’s ecosystem. Close enough for the 16ft Pharaoh (made of Legos) to use the river for transport 9-10 years ago.
Has anyone noticed that, depending on where he is, Phil references different numbers in regard to JOBS and numbers of visitors per year? Sometimes he references “Legoland NY” and at other times the higher numbers of the “New Tourism Corridor”. Is he confused or trying to confuse?
2018
PHIL SAID: “…new tourism corridor that will bring more than 6 million visitors and 4,000 jobs…”
2018
PHIL SAID “Another key factor will be international visitors. Legoland New York is expected to draw as many as 2.5 million visitors a year…”
And last October, when the Goshen Planning Board approved Legoland, Erika Norton reports:
2017
The park will generate more than 1,000 jobs in addition to 800 construction jobs during its creation.
The numbers reported in the environmental impact statement
2016
Originally, according to the DEIS: Legoland will Create 800 construction jobs; agreed to hire local construction labor; After opening employ 500 year-round full time employees, 300 part time employees, 500 seasonal employees;
800 temp, 500 FT, 300 PT, 500 Seasonal = 2100 total with only 500 permanent FT jobs
Not 1000 full time jobs (F/T implied) and 800 construction jobs.
Phil is interesting in his private life as well.
“Royle lives in Goshen, New York but has previously resided in Florida, Texas and California after moving from the UK seven years ago. When not working, Royle enjoys archery…”
Phil and his Happy Hooligans
BTW, We think you have that backwards, Phil: Robin Hood took from the rich and gave to the poor.
In the Lakeland Ledger, (FLA) PHIL SAID: “My experience in the industry and growing up around theme parks allows me to understand what our guests need.” Just like a Carney.
And he said: “That’s probably one of the best things about my job — talking to guests to make sure we are delivering what we have promised them and, of course, playing with Lego (bricks) during my work day!” -Phil Royle
posted by Auntie Alibi @ 8:32 AM
3 Comments
3 Comments:
Excellent expose cant wait till goshen foks get legoed by Philly Boy an his local new found buddies.
Remember that line in the movie the Graduate where the guy gives the kid advice "PLASTICS". Well OC took it hook, line and sinker. Instead of taking a classy approach to building tourism we took the low road appealing to kids whose parents may come once and never look back. Why is Merlin building all these brick homes all over the place, destroying everything in it's path. What is Phil's next address !@!@!@
Good question! Which community is next in Merlin entertainments path of destruction? And the reason? Money money money!!!long live lego dollars!
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