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Show Letters were responsible for getting together and attending the benefit at the Black Pearl last Sunday. We're very thankful thank-ful and flattered to know how many great friends we have in town. Great thanks to my brother Roger and Teresa Williams, who without their energy and organization it could not have happened. Also to MJ, Riles, and Bookie for their use of the Black Pearl and to the employees who worked the benefit, along with the many merchants and individuals indivi-duals who donated prizes and money. These people are much too numerous to mention in this letter but will all get a personal thank-you from us. Thanks aain Park City for your generous spirit and caring. Many Thanks! Claudia & Rick Sharp time trying to really understand under-stand the problems that face the city administration instead in-stead of crying about paying an extra 3 cents for a glass of beer. What a painless way for us locals, as well as the tourists, to help support the lifestyle that we all came here to enjoy! Maybe the 3 cent tax should be added to soft drinks and milk, too, so the noisemakers don't feel discriminated against. Even Jamie Olsen got caught up in the hysterics. "Standing up and shouting" makes little sense and accomplishes even less. How about a greater effort to consider alternatives and make constructive suggestions suggest-ions to our city leaders. If we can't do that, let's quit , complaining and let them do their work. They've done a good job for Park City in the past and deserve our support. sup-port. Dave Hanscom Wayne Was Santa Dear Editor: Who is Santa Claus? He is a person who always thinks of others before himself. He is someone who radiates love and good cheer whenever you see him. He is someone who leaves a part of himself with everyone he meets and he does this year round. Wayne Putman was Santa Claus, in every sense of the word. When I came to Park City, Wayne was the first person I met other than Salt Lake friends. He made me feel welcome and glad I'd decided deci-ded to move here. My only New year's kiss of 1974 was from Wayne. When my car broke down one Mother's Day in Salt Lake, it was Wayne I called. He sent his equally as giving brother, Boyd, to tow me home, without blinking an eye. Whenever I saw Wayne, my day became brighter and luckily for all of us,; his whole ' family is the same way. Because of people like these, ; , I believe in Santa Claus. Anne Hersey Artists Grateful - .Dear Editor: Park City Artists want to . express their thanks ; to all our friends and patrons that contributed to the success of our Christmas Show at the Holiday Inn. A very special thanks to Sue Boyle and the Park City High School Chorus for their beautiful presentation of Christmas carols, and to artist Judy Taylor for her help on the bake sale and to our special hostess, Bette Snyder, who worked for us the whole day. Park City is gaining a reputation as an art colony and this is not only due to the hard work and fine quality of art produced by our artists but is a result of the excellent support we get from our local radio, newspapers and patrons pa-trons of the community. It's great to be an artist in Park City. Thank you. Diane Balaban Pres. Park City Artists Association One Of A Kind Dear Editor: As I watched with great sadness the news on the television of Wayne Put-man's Put-man's death, I realized that Park City has lost an institution. As Santa's helper in Park City for 30 years, he lived for this time of yearat times calling the children personally on the phone to ask them their wishes at Christmas. On the 4th of July he was our wake-up call and if this joyous reveille was not enough he drove around with a bullhorn coaxing our sleepy town into arising to join in the celebration. , I certainly hope that the great traditions that citizens like our beloved "Put-Put" carried on will not be lost. He will be sorely missed. Valerie K. Thurnell ... i Doesn't Like ' .Helen.;"::- Dear Editor: "''.; This is in response to the letter written by Helen Alvarez published Dec. 9th. In this letter she challenges anyone to prove the city has spent money unwisely. She claims that many expenditures expendi-tures are legitimate advertising adver-tising costs. These claims defy common logic. Does she really expect even one additional tourist to be lured to Park City because of the paint job on the buses or because the local police carry fancy new business cards? Is it really a legitimate advertising adverti-sing expense for the police chief to drive a Saab that is City subsidized? Members of the City Council would like to have residents believe that only a " very small amount of money" was spent in the change-over to a new city logo. However, for the 52 of Park City taxpayers who make less than $10,000 per year, a few thousand dollars is not "a very small amount". Alvarez credits the City Council for "creative promotion" promo-tion" of Park City. I would like to credit the Council with much negative publicity for Park City. How is it going to help our tourist industry when visitors discover Park Ctiy will be charging one of the highest beer taxes in the entire nation? Alvarez stated that the Likes Helen Dear Editor: Thank you for-your editorial last week. And thank goodness good-ness for Helen Alvarez. Her letter was one -of the few voices of reason in all of the publicity of the recent debate over .where the , money will come from! to run our? fair city. It's too bad more Sharp Says Thanks Dear Editor: V We'd like to express our wholehearted thanks to all More Letters national network. It's kind of like watching "Dallas", "CBS Evening News", and "Soap" all rolled into one. I would recommend that there is another form of entertainment entertain-ment in town for the young people in town. This place is great, and I love it. Jack Turner Young Park City Supporter they are in. If not by this tax, then by some other means. Some time ago, Boston residents revolted against taxation without representation representa-tion on their favorite beverage. bev-erage. I think it's time Park City residents do the same. If any of our elected City Council truly represent the voters that put them in office, they will vote no on this tax. Susan R. Connelley Excuse Me Dear Editor: Well Excuse Me! Since speaking at the recent hearing to consider a city tax on beer, I have been inundated with comments regarding my brief minutes at the podium. They have ranged from a slap on the back and a "Right on!" at the local beer parlors to outright anger by others who support the proposal. It seems that almost everyone misunderstood my intent. It seemed to me that most of the speakers at the hearing represented industry that would be affected by a tax increase (distributers, ... bars, etc.). My comments were made on behalf of local consumers. And as funny as that sounds, the consumer is a party to the proceedings. My public speaking abilities aren't professional by any means, and the pressure of" Continued from Page 2 A proposed local beer tax is an "equitable" way to spread the tax burden. I would like to emphasize that in no way is this tax fair or equitable. It is in every way a sin tax designed to put an unfair burden on a certain segment of society-beer drinkers. The statute allowing this tax was passed after prohibition by a Mormon legislature. Did they pass this law because they envisioned it helping Park City's troubled 1982 budget? No; it was meant to discourage the selling and drinking of beer. That is precisely what it will do if Park City puts it into effect. Unfortunately, local businesses selling 3.2 beer will bear the brunt of this. It will put them at an unfair disadvantage to establishments establish-ments selling full strength beer and hard liquor. Alvarez asked at the Public Hearing on this tax what the big deal was about VA cents on a glass of beer. As a tavern operator, I would like to tell her. In the past two years, I have had my business license fee more than double, city utility rates go way up, and beer hit with a Liquor Law Enforcement fee. I have absorbed most of these costs out of a small profit margin in order to reep my prices down to attract customers. This tax plus the upcoming State Beer Tax and the proposed Local Sales Tax could be the straw that broke the camels back. generated more dollars which were distributed to the local towns; this solution was effective in Idaho and the results were published by the American Distiller's Association. 3. According to the Liquor Commission the State of Utah distributes $1,000,000 to local communities based upon a formula, if this formula is based upon population, again our city officials should lobby that lhis formula be changed for resort communities. Park City should get pro rata credit for the population which is infused to the community during the months of December through April. In conclusion I have had an opportunity to review the ordinance and I foresee some very expensive and serious problems in the collection process which I do not feel will be justified for the One Hundred Thousand Dollars projected collections. Furthermore, Fur-thermore, it is interesting to note that what would happen if Alpha Beta, which is no doubt the largest tax contributor contri-butor to this beer tax, decides to opt for the $299 fine as stated in the ordinance instead of paying the Tens of Thousands of Dollars in the beer tax. What would Park City Municiple Corporation then - decide would be the correct course of action? Possibly, revoke their business license? lic-ense? In the past year and a half we have seen tremendous increase in salaries and in staff personnel who are involved in planning and community development, I suggest these people become creative as private industry has had to do and develop a program that does not include a tax levy. Bruce Barcal 2. Not being a property owner or business proprietor doesn't preclude one from caring about the city and its prosperity. The local dishwashers, dish-washers, lift operators, carpenters, car-penters, etc. may not pay property taxes, but somebody some-body has got to be the workers--and they care about our town. Furthermore, it doesn't matter whether a person has lived here for three months or fifty years, when you are here you're a resident. If you are only twenty five, you can't have been, here working for twenty years. The statement that young people only care if the lifts are open on time is as preposterous as saying that all the business owners are penny pinching misers. Although people may have different priorities, affection for Park City and its well being is important to almost all of us who live here. 3. The working force of this town makes a contribution to its success by working for modest wages and paying the high costs of living. : It is a contrioution that is every bit as important as other forms of taxation. 4. The percent increase in the cost of living from an additional beer tax, even if, only $50-100 per year may: represent the same as a $1000 increase to a person of higher income. 5. And finally, my joking comment about there being nothing for young people except drink, ski, and shop at Alpha Beta, was taken way out of context. I only meant to say that drinking at the local pub was one of the . social activities where young people could meet. I don't view it as a gigantic sin industry where we go to get smashed. I think it is safe to say that most people leave the bars under their own power and in a condition that is respectible. A responsible city council will consider all opportuni-1 ties that may arise for providing additional income, ; and I respect their duty . Not only that, I leave the decision to them since that is why we elected them. I did not say that we should or should not oas the proposal-1 the hearing was a forurn forthe public to present their views,, ' and I only wanted to present additional information to' our elected officers. If a beer tax is the most logical and fair inethod to help fund the city.f: , it; should be;passedBtit irP eleciding if something is" logical or fair, it is only proper to consider all the evidence and all the alternatives alterna-tives I have to admit that I enjoyed the hearing, .and it ' might not be too unreason-; 'able fd consider" syhcJicaling the council meetings on a Chamber Slammed Dear Editor: Wednesday morning, December Dec-ember 8, 1 had an opportunity opportuni-ty to hear on the morning news on KPCW Mr. Jess Reid speak on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce approving ap-proving of the beer tax; Mr. Reid stated "Arlene and Jack Green stated we needed the money." And therefore, the Executive Committee of the Park City Chamber of Commerce voted to approve the beer tax. After having been a member mem-ber of the Riverside Chamber Cham-ber of Commerce for five and a half years and a corporate member of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce, I have never seen an Executive Execu-tive Committee go against the wishes of the membership member-ship where such a unified opinion was generated. If I was a member of the Park City Chamber of Commerce I would be very upset with this unresponsive representation. representa-tion. In fact, I have had an opportunity to discuss this issue with Mr. Fred Ball, . Executive director of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce. I questioned Mr. Ball ! regarding the procedure of the Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce regarding the controversial issue, it was stated "they either poll the membership or hire, the services of Wasatch Opinion Poll to get the opinion of the constituents of the organization. organiza-tion. Mr. Reid was very adamant in his statement supporting this beer tax,-1 would like to -5 make this offer to Mr. Reid that I will show him areas - where ,,the City has blatantly .Sp msspeht Tens of Thousands 0 of Dollars without concern to ? ttie taxpayer of Park City. I would appreciate it if the following suggestions were considered by the Park City Council: 1. Tax the bus system by either; a set fee .of ..voUintary ? I cofetibn;; Ihilmosft adulfs would 'throw a dollar' into the collection box for a bus ride. 2. Last summer the State of Idaho voted to reduce the prices in the State Liquor Stores for the months pf July , ... nd August. ,;Tnis reduction ; of liquor costs substantially increased , sales .and thus ' ' ' - i , A .1 A everyone else trying to elbow their way to the microphone contributed to the fact that I didn't get the message across. I hope that this letter will better express my concerns. My intuition tells me that a good majority of locals who will be affected by an increased beer tax are young adults. Unless I'm mistaken, brewing industry figures show that nearly 90 of the beer in the U.S. is consumed .by people between the ages of 19 and 42, and this group is largely blue collar work-ers. work-ers. If this is true, then it seems important to investigate the effect of a proposed tax on these people. , It is my ?' contention that" alf age groups and social classes are important , to Park City, and all views must be considered! before making any decision. In speaking on behalf of this group , the ,, following, points are true in mylmmd:f 1. Most dtybWg' people are an asset to our community.' In general they do not tax city services unfairly by being unemployed, unemploy-ed, in jail, or otherwise. I believe that the vast majority of our young people work for nose clean. , , Alvarez tells us that we need this tax to support the library, rec. dept., etc. Anyone who has visited the Hearst Mansion of Park City known as the Public Library can see why it is over budget. Is it really "essential "essen-tial services" to have plush carpet, brass fixtures, nuge plants, expensive furniture and fancy brick sidewalks at a library? , Maybe city officials can afford to decorate decor-ate this way but most of us . can't. .As far as the Rec. Dept. . goes, to sponsor a ' men's soft ball team last summer cost $263. With all the teams that participated this activity surely pid for itself. Other ' Rec. Dept. activities should be modeled ? along these lines. People will pay for recreational activities they really want. The local athletic clubs and the ski resorts are good examples of this. This is v definitely one dept. in the city that should pay for itself through user fees. I, for one, am tired of our local elected officials trying to justify pushing something we don't want down our throats. I question Mayor Green's motives for backing this beer tax. wants to punislf VaVowheH for being in the ; business |
