Broad spectrum of taxes could help Glenwood

Many recent GSPI headline articles have outlined budgetary challenges and probable tourism marketing changes by the City of Glenwood Springs. I believe in diverse revenue streams and am concerned with the strong reliance on sales tax revenues. I suggest an “Admissions/Entry/Membership” tax or surcharge be considered and implemented. Whether local or distant, patrons of our many local attractions and amenities can impact our city in many ways including parking, traffic, transit, water and sewer infrastructure, and need for police and emergency services. Unless they shop (sales taxes) or stay (accommodations tax) in our city limits, they have not contributed direct revenues. With emphasis on attracting more visitors come both benefits and impacts, which such fees can enhance and offset.

I envision this tax/surcharge be imposed on admissions, ticket sales or memberships to any facility within the city limits including the Community Center, Hot Springs Pool and Club, Glenwood Caverns as well as movie theaters, sporting or performance venues and museums. It would also apply to entry fees for the many athletic events held in our city such as the Strawberry Shortcut, the Tri-Glenwood Triathlon and the new Oyster Adventure Race. Also potential revenue from guided trips such as rafting, fishing, motorized (Segway or 4X4) or aerial such as Adventure Paragliding. I do not know if any tax is charged on sport equipment rentals such as snow, bicycle and watersports equipment, but this may be included as well.

I offer this suggestion as a starting point for discussion. A modest fee across a broad spectrum can provide needed, additional revenues. In the past this was a “taboo subject” sure to garner much opposition from the possibility that extrapolation of such tax revenues could be used to determine gross revenues of privately held businesses. With adequate safeguards and a combined and diverse application of this new fee, there would be equal standing with all other local businesses collecting sales and accommodations taxes. I leave open where and how these new revenues should be applied with many needs in the face of reduced revenues with current sources. Parking structure? Special grants? Public infrastructure?

Greg Jeung

Glenwood Springs

It's very simple … vote for Dan Maes

Colorado doesn't need any more career lawyer politicians like Scott McInnis running our state. We're broke. We need a successful businessman with a proven track record in the private sector to manage our state tax dollars, business and employees. That man is Dan Maes. He's the candidate for Governor of Colorado who will downsize government saving us a half a billion dollars the first year in office and bring the energy industry back to Colorado. We're rich in gas, oil, coal and uranium. He plans to harvest wind power on the eastern plains and solar power in the San Luis Valley creating thousands of jobs while cutting taxes enabling businesses to flourish. Dan will also take an aggressive enforcement position on illegal immigration exercising our 10th amendment states rights (Dan is also a strong advocate for 2nd amendment rights). Every vote counts … it's really very simple … vote for Dan.

Hey, briefly mentioning career politicians “Judicial Watch,” a public interest group that investigates and prosecutes government corruption, recently announced a list of Washington's “Ten Most Corrupt Politicians”. In alphabetical order: Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT), Senator John Ensign (R-NV), Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), Secretary of the Treasury Timothy Geithner, Attorney General Eric Holder, Rep. Jesse Jackson (D-IL), President Barack Obama, Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) — recently deceased — and Rep. Charley Rengel (D-NY). How pathetic is the uninformed American public that these cronies keep getting re-elected. Once again, get informed, don't vote for people like this. They're self -serving and not looking out for our best interests. That's why we need new blood, a fresh perspective, that's why we need someone like Dan Maes. Remember his name — Dan Maes for governor.

Stan Rachesky

Glenwood Springs