Dear “Bucky” Wolford,

I see that you are reportedly having second thoughts about building a new mall in Ames. “I’m trying to decide how, or if, to go forward,” you said. “When they tie your hands so tightly, you can’t conduct business the way you should conduct business.”

Mr. Wolford, allow me to offer a suggestion, if I may: Take your money and get out of Ames while you still can. No, I am not an advocate of so-called “smart growth,” a deceptive title for a group perfectly comfortable with exerting control over the property of others. Quite the opposite — I am all for economic growth, and that is precisely the reason I suggest halting development immediately.

If it is not clear already, Ames is not a friendly environment for your business. This is not to say that everyone in Ames is hostile — I think you are probably right when you say the majority of residents support your project moving forward. But this group has been silent and allowed the smart growth-ers to effectively set the agenda.

As a result, we have the spectacle of a City Council confidently demanding concessions in return for permission to develop your own land. Ames is not unique in this regard, of course — local governments throughout the country are becoming more and more comfortable treating the land within city limits as their personal experiments in central planning. Take for instance a remark made by the Ames city manager, “They want something from us — the rezoning — so we are in the position to ask for something.”

Such statements show just how far this country has strayed from the principle of economic freedom. This town, the City Council is telling us, is theirs — if you want to do something, you had better make sure it’s OK with them first. Sometimes, they even want to help out. For example, the city passed an ordinance to increase hotel taxes in order to “help” hotels advertise. Don’t worry about paying a marketing department — in Ames, it’s on us.

I suspect, Mr. Wolford, that you believe your mall would be yours. Unfortunately, I don’t think the city government shares the same sentiment. Why else would they hold meetings to decide on the location of your mall, the way it will be designed, how many stores it will have, and what kind of stores those will be, right down to the square footage? And you thought that you were going to be able to spend your $50 million how you see fit.

You’re a funny guy, Mr. Wolford.

Oh, and I almost forgot. We also need you to build us bike paths, sewage lines and new bus routes. Don’t think you can get away with building a mall without paying for the customers to get there. Here in Ames, you see, we always try to do things for the good of the community.

I suspect you are a patient man, having all your “negotiations” with the city. You know, there are two places where “negotiations” traditionally take place — business deals and hostage situations. It could be worse, I suppose. I’ve heard of ransoms much more unreasonable than bike paths and bus routes.

At this point, it will be more clear why I am suggesting you leave Ames, Mr. Wolford. These dog-and-pony show “negotiations” will only continue. Every time you make a concession, more demands will follow. There is no reason to believe the trend of the City Council’s increasing infatuation with economic control will fade any time soon.

This is not to say you should give in to this sort of behavior, or let the vocal minority have its way. Leaving Ames will not be giving in. After all — the statements of the “smart growth” crowd notwithstanding — the lack of economic development is a loss, not a gain. Eventually, the silent majority of those who prefer growth and improvement to stagnation will begin to demand the City Council cease bullying and scaring off those who would provide such benefits. If and when that time comes, you will once again be welcome in Ames.