Timeline of events: Part 1

Here's what started it all:

1. An article appeared in the Hendersonville (NC) Times-News on October 20:

The Henderson County Board of Commissioners voted today to purchase the Highland Lake Golf Club in Flat Rock to convert the property to a soccer complex and public park.

In a 4-1 vote, commissioners agreed to buy the 65-acre site, currently a 9-hole public course, for $1.15 million.

Commissioner Larry Young was the lone dissenter. He said he could not support the project at a time when the county has cut its budget by 7.5 percent.

Park Ridge Health President and CEO Jimm Bunch pledged $100,000 toward the project. Les Boyd of Boyd Automotive said his company also would make a significant financial contribution, but he did not name a precise dollar amount.

2. Then the Times-News followed up with an editorial in support of the Henderson County purchase in Sunday's paper, October 23:

County commissioners showed foresight in their decision last week to buy the Highland Lake Golf Club in Flat Rock to convert the property to a soccer complex and public park.

Some residents will question the decision to spend $1.15 million on a park in tough economic times with the county cutting services and funding for schools and all departments.

However, the terms of the deal should allow the county to recoup the purchase costs through a partnership with the Henderson County Soccer Association. The park will fill a longstanding need for adult and youth soccer fields and benefit all residents...

The county plans to buy the property from the present owners, Course Doctors Inc. The soccer association will share revenue generated from camps and tournaments hosted at the new park to help the county recoup costs....

Read it all, and then check out the Timeline of events, Part 2.