THE Greenville CITY
COUNCIL
A simulation of negotiation and
persuasion
Background:
• Divide the class into groups of six.
If the class does not divide evenly,
“double up” roles. That is assign
two players to the environmental
advocate.
• You will represent members of the
Greenville City Council. In
addition, you are all up for
reelection next year.
Background (Continued):
• Every member of the group has their
own agenda and goals. YOU ARE NOT
TO SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH
ANY OF THE OTHER SIMULATION
PARTICIPANTS.
• The Council must come to a conclusion
on whether (and where) to build a new
waste treatment plant.
Plant Construction
Greenville, SC
1
Blue River
Residential
District #3
Park
A
House
Residential
District #1
D
House
Residential
District #5
Ci ty
C
B
D
D
Ci ty
D
Furman
University
D
Residential District #2
House
Motel
Residential
District #4
Vacant / Industrial
Property
House
Factory
E
R
R
D
Vacant / Industrial Property
N
Factory
North
Branch
River
This map
represents the
City of
Greenville and
the proposed
locations for
the new waste
management
plant.
Rules:
• Council members will read their
opening statements.
• Discuss the pros and cons of building at
each of the proposed sites.
• Floor will be open to residents to voice
their concerns. Remember, the
residents have a vested interest on
where the new plant is built.
• The council may choose only one
option.
6 Months Later…
The Greenville
Council Results:
Choose to build at Site A
• The plant is up and running,
causing enrollment to fall at FU.
The football team can no longer
move out of division I-AA. Smoke
from the plant has caused
attendance at the park to drop by
50%. $7 million has been pumped
back into the economy.
Choose to build at Site B
• Mayor White’s recommendation is a
complete disaster. Unstable ground has
caused toxins to leak into the river
contaminating the city’s water supply.
Mutant fish have begun eating small
animals around the banks of the river.
Attendance at the park down 50%.
Students at FU have started a riot
destroying and looting most of
downtown Greenville. Only $6 million
is put back into the economy.
Choose to build at Site C
• Significant losses to area businesses have
occurred. Attendance at the park is down
75% giving unruly gangs of miscreants the
opportunity to take over the park.
Muggings are up 250%. Only $7 million is
put back into the economy. Downtown
Greenville is virtually a ghost town.
Miscreants roam the streets at will scaring
residents and frightening small children.
Choose to build at Site D
• Business districts have suffered heavy
losses. The state has paid the city $5
million for easy access to the new facility.
Revenues are up $12 million.
Choose to build at Site E
• Business in the city experiences a huge
revival. Revenues are up $29 million.
Residents from districts 3 and 4 are
developing a strange strain of cancerous
pink eye.
Choose not to build
• The Greenville “Treehuggers Club” has
given all the council members ringing
endorsements. The trucking industry has
gone bankrupt however. The Teamsters
Union has sworn revenge on all the council
members. John Byrd Jr. has mysteriously
disappeared. He was last seen having lunch
with Jimmy Hoffa.
THE END