Post by freebird on Apr 30, 2009 16:15:58 GMT -6
www.thesunnews.com/158/story/876847.html
Opinion
Sunday, Apr. 26, 2009
MB dissuades tourists, raises tax, seeks more?
By Robert A. Meredith
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@-Myrtle Beach has long been considered a tourism destination until the current crop of politicians decided to change the definition of the type of tourist they welcome. In doing so, they wish to disenfranchise approximately 300,000 tourists to attain a better class of tourists (in the politicians' minds).
How is this accomplished? First vendor permits are prohibited or reduced (both in Myrtle Beach and Horry County), eliminating the income. Then a decision is made to increase property taxes to recover the lost income (by three times the amount of the previous year's cost to control the rally). Money is then spent to send representatives to Washington, to treat the free-spending national politicians to lunches, thingytail parties and dinners, and to pay a professional lobbyist to assist them in begging money to attract more tourists. It gives the impression that good business acumen and common sense are seriously lacking in our local governments.
To remove this unwelcome class of tourist, the city has passed ordinances that are not only inane but border on violating federal laws of discrimination:
Helmets: A biker, when buying his cycle, pays the state sales tax, licensing fees and gasoline taxes just as he would on any motor vehicle. But when he rides on a state highway in the city, he is subject to a discriminatory fine. State laws and rules do not apply. Since a letter from attorney Tom Rice to The Sun News on Oct. 22, a daily search of the Internet and other newspapers has revealed that 14 deaths have been reported on motorcycles; of these 13 wore helmets. This is another subterfuge by the anti-rally group endorsed by local politicians.
Deaths: A major death reported was that of a local college student being shot by other locals, not caused by bikers. Two other deaths occurred as a semi entered the highway without yielding. Two more occurred at intersections where motorists made left turns into oncoming traffic as they became impatient or distracted (think cell phone); then there was the one cyclist who was chased down by a deranged man, and was later released because he had not taken his pills.
Noise: Those who became residents of Myrtle Beach in the last few years failed to do their homework or they would have been aware that May brought the motorcycles. Now they want them removed. Had they been here before 1993, they would have withstood much more noise as citizens, tolerating A-10s, C-120s and fighters flying year round. But no one ever suggested fining the pilots or removing the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Economy: The loss of the income (housing, eateries and tourist items) without the bikes would amount to approximately $27 million in gross income to local businessmen and a million in tax collections divided among city, county and state governments. This loss could be the lifeblood of a small business or their employees and the well-being of our community.
To add to the situation, three state legislators have proposed increasing taxes for tourism. S.C. Rep. Alan Clemmons wants to add 3 cents to the gas tax in Marion, Marlboro, Dillon and Horry counties. This will come from residents, as tourists will fill up before they arrive and after they leave.
S.C. Sen. Luke Rankin and S.C. Rep. Tracy Edge have proposed a new 1 percent increase in sales tax, subject to local enactment, to aid tourism; undoubtedly if passed, Myrtle Beach would be the first to enact it.
May 2009 could be a tough month as schools are still in session (this year could be later due to weather conditions in the prime tourist areas), grandparents are attending graduations in other places, and the ocean has not gotten warm enough to entice most people. To support our local businessmen and the working residents of Myrtle Beach, tourism is a must and desires help, but not at the expense of the already overabundance of unemployed employees or retired homeowners. It's a sad fact that politicians cater to their campaign contributors and forget the constituents who have elected them.
Myrtle Beach could be doing much better with some strong leadership from capable financial and management personnel instead of old-style politicians.
The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.
Opinion
Sunday, Apr. 26, 2009
MB dissuades tourists, raises tax, seeks more?
By Robert A. Meredith
Comments (37)
Recommend (3)
Reprint or license
Text Size: tool nameclose
tool goes here
@-Myrtle Beach has long been considered a tourism destination until the current crop of politicians decided to change the definition of the type of tourist they welcome. In doing so, they wish to disenfranchise approximately 300,000 tourists to attain a better class of tourists (in the politicians' minds).
How is this accomplished? First vendor permits are prohibited or reduced (both in Myrtle Beach and Horry County), eliminating the income. Then a decision is made to increase property taxes to recover the lost income (by three times the amount of the previous year's cost to control the rally). Money is then spent to send representatives to Washington, to treat the free-spending national politicians to lunches, thingytail parties and dinners, and to pay a professional lobbyist to assist them in begging money to attract more tourists. It gives the impression that good business acumen and common sense are seriously lacking in our local governments.
To remove this unwelcome class of tourist, the city has passed ordinances that are not only inane but border on violating federal laws of discrimination:
Helmets: A biker, when buying his cycle, pays the state sales tax, licensing fees and gasoline taxes just as he would on any motor vehicle. But when he rides on a state highway in the city, he is subject to a discriminatory fine. State laws and rules do not apply. Since a letter from attorney Tom Rice to The Sun News on Oct. 22, a daily search of the Internet and other newspapers has revealed that 14 deaths have been reported on motorcycles; of these 13 wore helmets. This is another subterfuge by the anti-rally group endorsed by local politicians.
Deaths: A major death reported was that of a local college student being shot by other locals, not caused by bikers. Two other deaths occurred as a semi entered the highway without yielding. Two more occurred at intersections where motorists made left turns into oncoming traffic as they became impatient or distracted (think cell phone); then there was the one cyclist who was chased down by a deranged man, and was later released because he had not taken his pills.
Noise: Those who became residents of Myrtle Beach in the last few years failed to do their homework or they would have been aware that May brought the motorcycles. Now they want them removed. Had they been here before 1993, they would have withstood much more noise as citizens, tolerating A-10s, C-120s and fighters flying year round. But no one ever suggested fining the pilots or removing the Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
Economy: The loss of the income (housing, eateries and tourist items) without the bikes would amount to approximately $27 million in gross income to local businessmen and a million in tax collections divided among city, county and state governments. This loss could be the lifeblood of a small business or their employees and the well-being of our community.
To add to the situation, three state legislators have proposed increasing taxes for tourism. S.C. Rep. Alan Clemmons wants to add 3 cents to the gas tax in Marion, Marlboro, Dillon and Horry counties. This will come from residents, as tourists will fill up before they arrive and after they leave.
S.C. Sen. Luke Rankin and S.C. Rep. Tracy Edge have proposed a new 1 percent increase in sales tax, subject to local enactment, to aid tourism; undoubtedly if passed, Myrtle Beach would be the first to enact it.
May 2009 could be a tough month as schools are still in session (this year could be later due to weather conditions in the prime tourist areas), grandparents are attending graduations in other places, and the ocean has not gotten warm enough to entice most people. To support our local businessmen and the working residents of Myrtle Beach, tourism is a must and desires help, but not at the expense of the already overabundance of unemployed employees or retired homeowners. It's a sad fact that politicians cater to their campaign contributors and forget the constituents who have elected them.
Myrtle Beach could be doing much better with some strong leadership from capable financial and management personnel instead of old-style politicians.
The writer lives in Myrtle Beach.