We believe there are multiple reasons why the proposed Meals and Beverage Tax (Meals Tax) is a bad idea and would like to focus on two reasons we think the initiative deserves a “NO” vote.
For one, we believe that the proposed meals tax is mean-spirited and is not driven by community unity but by community disharmony.
We moved from Central Point to Jacksonville seven years ago and found a village that we have grown to appreciate and love. With this in mind, we determined that, since Jacksonville has given us so much in the way of wonderful hiking trails, a thriving church, wonderful restaurants and a vibrant business community, we wanted to give something back. First, we became active in our church; Kandee has been a deacon while Mike spent six years as an elder. In addition, we both have served on numerous church ministry teams. After receiving an application for the Jacksonville Boosters Club in our first water bill, we joined this 55-year-old organization and, as a result, have participated in numerous Boosters Club projects. We have enjoyed weeding/planting the Peter Britt Gardens, planting and working on irrigation at the Beekman Arboretum, refinishing downtown benches, chairing a committee for the new Community Center or cooking and serving hot dogs at the Mayor’s 4th of July picnic and more. Mike served one year as President of this organization while Kandee continues to serve on the Jacksonville Woodlands Board. We have never lived in a community where the spirit of volunteerism is so vibrant and alive.
In addition to the Boosters and the Woodlands organizations, we have attempted to give back something to our city as well. Kandee is the Chair of the Jacksonville Parks and Visitors Services Committee while Mike serves as a lay member on the Jacksonville Budget Committee. We believe we have experienced firsthand a true community spirit in Jacksonville and strongly believe that a Meals and Beverage tax does not build community spirit but rather would destroy it.
Our second reason for being strong “NO” voters on this tax is that it is not sustainable for its purpose. This summer is a prime example of the weakness of this tax. Talk to restaurant owners about what the smoke has done to their summer business. Simply said, it has been devastating. One Jacksonville winery was agonizing over an $8.00 day only to have another day the following week with no sales. A Jacksonville restaurant had one customer on one especially smoky day. We would suggest that 5% of the sales for that day dramatically points out the fact that this tax cannot do what is proposed to do—maintain our current police services.
Recently, our 13-year-old granddaughter asked us what the Meals Tax was all about. We gave a description of what it was about and the intent of it. Her reply was a good summation of what we think: “Well, won’t people just drive to Medford where they will not have to pay a tax?” We think so.