Phillie Scout Office Rent to Rise
Posted in Current Events by John E. Pannell on October 22nd, 2007 at 3:03 am Barring a change in position by the city of Philadelphia, the Cradle of Liberty Council is set to see the annual rent on their historic headquarters building rise from $1 to $200,000 per year.l
Fox News reported on this a few days ago:
Numerous other media outlets have also reported this story. The crux of the situation is that Philadelphia law prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation. The city tried to find a solution with the Cradle of Liberty Council but the council had no real choice but to abide by the BSA’s policy on this issue, which was obviously not acceptable to Philadelphia. The council must either vacate the building they have occupied since the Hoover administration or pay the $200,000 annual rent.
My opinion will probably upset readers of this blog: Philadelphia made the correct decision. The Supreme Court has upheld the BSA’s right, as a private organization, to set their own membership standards. However Philadelphia has their own rules regarding who can use their facilities and lands. I do not intend to discuss whether those standards are right and reserve the right to delete any comments that do so.
It comes down to the Modern Golden Rule, “He who has the gold makes the rules.” As is true in many other aspects of life, if you want to rely upon the government for benefits, in this case a nominal $1 annual rent, you must play by the government’s rules. The BSA can restrict its membership but that does not come without consequences.
Can the city of Philadelphia restrict who it lets use its land or facilities? That is the relevant question. I don’t think anyone would argue that the city must make its land or facilities available without restriciton.
The Cradle of Liberty Council must now evaluate their options. The rent increase will certainly impact the council’s budget. They good a sweetheart deal for decades and that is about to end.
Now that the council also includes a suburban portion, what are the benefits of maintaining an office within the city as opposed to the suburbs? I don’t know what the membership demographics are as regards urban vs. suburban area. Is there a significant membership opportunity or quality of service issue that justifies their current location?
Can this increase be overcome with new funding sources or what other expenses will need to be curtailed? Is the sentimentality of have an historic building worth the financial impact? Are there donors willing to pony up large sums so as to keep the council in their historic headquarters? What will happen to the building should the council vacate?
As I wouldn’t think it likely that the council would find free space elsewhere, this will certainly have a financial impact on them. Put aside the histrionics and forecasts of doom for Scouting in Philadelphia. It is up to the council to make intelligent and rational decisions to deal with this challenge.
My only question is when the BSA leaves that office. If the city then rents it out again for less then $200,000. Can the BSA turn around a sue the city saying “they were just kicking us out because of our sexual views” and turn the law around on them.