My View – September 2018
I’m pleased to announce that three outstanding citizens have applied to run for three open City Council seats. At press time just days before the filing deadline, the candidates are current HARC Chair Donna Bowen and City Council incumbents Ken Gregg and Jim Lewis. In the October Review, learn more about them and why each has chosen to serve our community.
Conversely, I urge a NO vote on ballot measure 180—the Food & Beverage Tax. In my view, this is a poorly-conceived funding tool and is the least reliable way of generating revenue for our Police Department and General Fund. Funding vital public safety services with a 5% meals tax collected from 14 restaurants is the least viable solution.
With that said, I encourage you to read similar opinions on the matter from several well-respected community leaders. Larry Smith, one of Jacksonville’s most beloved residents and community leaders, shares his thoughts as a long-time member of the Budget Committee. Lifelong resident and merchant, Linda Graham, is equally eloquent in expressing her view. Like Larry, she serves on the Budget Committee and has been involved with Jacksonville’s business community for decades. Additionally, Mayor Paul Becker weighs in on the meals tax in his monthly column, making a strong case for opposing 180. I am equally grateful to Michael Donovan, former owner of Ashland’s famed Chateaulin Restaurant, for speaking out against the meals tax in his op-ed. In it, Michael explains the pain caused in 1993 with the passage of the Ashland meals tax and its lasting, negative impact.
When your ballot arrives and it’s time to vote, I encourage you to consider the long term safety of your family—and ask if funding our police department is better with a stable, $20 surcharge or with a fluctuating meals tax that’s reliant on the sale of pizzas, burgers and cups of coffee.
Join me in voting NO MEALS TAX in our Small Town with Big Atmosphere!
Whitman Parker is Owner and Publisher of Jacksonville Review and Southern Oregon Wine Scene magazines.
It is always wonderful when community members volunteer to serve and I am grateful to Donna, Greg and Jim for their generosity of time and talent. I was wondering if there were any additional citizens that applied for City Council? Since you explained in a past Review that the Review is not a newspaper and the comments and articles are based on your opinions and others whom you choose to print, it concerns me that we may not be getting the entire picture. Even if you do not endorse other candidates, will you still be mentioning them by name so that we may do our own research on the candidates? As you are aware, the Review was promoted as a newspaper for many years. The Police Blogs and City Council reports continue to present an image that legitimizes the Review as a Newspaper, not the Entertainment and Advertising Vehicle it is along with your political and social opinions. I am sure you do not want to mislead the public but I am afraid that is what may be happening. Please accept this in the spirit in which it is meant, to address concern and confusion among many of us who appreciate the positive part of the Review.
Oh hi Stacey…great to hear from you again. Only 3 candidates are running for 3 seats. I simply reported the facts ad of press time. So now there’s only one thing left to do – vote a big NO on the Mesls Tax #180 ballot measure!! Glad you’re reading.