My errands yesterday took me to Medford. I used to think of the downtown there as one long car lot, used and new. Now, upon closer inspection, it has changed over time into one long car lot and an expansive community college.
During a stop for lunch I overheard the word "Ashland" and swiveled my head a few degrees to listen in. The topic was, more specifically, about Ashland's Meal Tax, which was politically finessed years ago as a temporary measure. Ha-Ha.
The table, to a person, took umbrage with our long-accepted tax, swearing to never again dine in Ashland. Most seemed to have made the vow years ago.
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Council declined to put a one percent increase on this questionable tax, as it would run on the ballot alongside yet another Youth Activities Levy.
My question is, how did this puppy get extended so easily and why, should we go back to analyze its' implementation, did it ever get into the mix without the exposure of the backbiting tactics employed?
The definition of politics is that if you win, then you were right.
Something terribly has gone wrong, not for the politicians, but for the eager and nervous restaurant owners who put it on the line every day, this to serve us few who still pay trying to ignore how hard the tax drives down total restaurant revenues.
Ask anyone in the restaurant business their opinion. The next time you want to meet friends for dinner in Ashland from the balance of the valley, don't be surprised if they suddenly decide to see to some deferred project.
Why pay 5% more for the Imperial Privileged to drive to Ashland, eventually find a parking space and rub elbows with condescending snobs? Well, this is what our Meals Tax conveys. Wish our elected officials understood this.
Ask anyone in the restaurant business their opinion. The next time you want to meet friends for dinner in Ashland from the balance of the valley, don't be surprised if they suddenly decide to see to some deferred project.
Why pay 5% more for the Imperial Privileged to drive to Ashland, eventually find a parking space and rub elbows with condescending snobs? Well, this is what our Meals Tax conveys. Wish our elected officials understood this.
2 comments:
I wish it were as simple as you imply.
The Meals Tax does raise a lot of money, though at a cost to Local Business Owners.
I have yet to meet a restaurant owner who claims that his/her business increased as a result of this tax. It appears that many locals and other Rogue Valley residents have chosen to simply boycott our attempt at taxing others.
The other matter is that if I'm taxed as a "tourist" every time I choose to eat out, how does the tax not affect me directly and consistently?
If one wanted a more focused approach one would put a tax on theater tickets, yet those of us who enjoy the shows would, again, be taxed as tourists.
Tourists use toilet paper, water, gas and breath air...why not tax all of those as well.
The larger truth is that the Meals Tax was a scam to begin with: It began as a ruse, then morphed into a deception.
It began when a small park was proposed near 8th and A Streets. It was suggested that all property owners within a certain distance pay for the park, this clearly forgetting those who might live elsewhere and still use the park.
Our then Mayor, being very clever, sent her minions into the affected neighborhood with a proposition: Help me pass a Meals Tax and we won't increase your property taxes for this park.
Instantly dozens of property owners hit the streets to promote the Meals Tax for their specific benefit.
They claimed that the Tax would be of a finite nature, which changed within a month. It has now been ten years and our restaurants still suffer from the boycott from the surrounding towns.
The City found a Cash Cow and is addicted to the income. It will no sooner drop the tax than fire an employee who doesn't do the job.
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