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I respect Dennis Burns for his contributions to the community, including his service on the City Council, his laudable performance as principal of Castle Rock Charter School and for his and Helga’s uncountable civic contributions. I am compelled, however, to take issue with his stand on City Council support of our Visitors Bureau as reported in the Oct. 28 Triplicate.
In explaining his opposition to city participation in local tourism promotion, Dennis stated that “We (city government) don’t benefit the most ... I’m not in favor of it.” I would remind Dennis that this is a nation where the government is supposed to serve the people, not the other way around where “government benefits the most.”
Dennis explained in the article that if a visiting family of four spends $500 during its stay in our community, the city gets “only” about $23 in sales tax and Transient Occupancy Tax. Continuing, Dennis complained that the rest of the $500 goes to the hotel, restaurants and retail shops.
In response, I remind him that the balance goes to the businesses that earned that money, with no help from the city if it does not fund tourism promotion.
The balance goes to the business owner and his family and to desk clerks, housekeepers, gardeners, grocery checkers, baggers, produce workers, butchers, security, janitors, waiters and waitresses, dishwashers, bar tenders, cleaning crews, gas jockeys, mechanics, drivers, insurance brokers and their families.
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