Pay those environmental costs with no fee!

There certainly has been lots of discussion on the environmental fee/tax subject! I have never felt that this federally-mandated responsibility was a huge burden to the residents of our community.

However, it may be a burden for a small number of residents and business owners. And the reality is that nobody wants to pay for a new “tax.”

Let me try again to articulate a potentially huge source of revenue for the town. I have suggested this idea before but have been ignored by the powers that be.

My idea totally eliminates the need to charge every homeowner in town to pay this environmental responsibility.

I propose that every visitor to the two Chamber fairs be charged $2 admission (Note: some other towns charge more…).

The Chamber estimates attendance at each is over 200,000 people. That would mean town $800,000! ($200,000x2x2=$800,000).

That exceeds the estimated $639,000 needed to meet the federal mandate.

The excess could be put toward any operational costs, such as fencing or staff.

Currently, the Chamber collects about $500,000 from the vendors they permit at the two fairs. Good for them! They pay nothing to the town for use of the downtown and for some town resources, except for a small fee of about $100-$200.

It is about time we start looking at this opportunity and be honest with the residents about some untapped revenue available…and a responsibility the Chamber should embrace.

(OK, let’s be honest. We know the Chamber attendance estimates are bogus! The 200,000 is more like 50,000 since electronic car counts are about 20,000 per fair, but the revenue possibilities are still significant.)