Mason councilman irritated by Kings Island official's comments

For some reason the link included is nothing more than a link back to this page.

Chuck

I used to live out in Mason and I can tell you that they generate more then enough cash flow from other taxes. Either they need to stop being so greedy in that city or stop spending so much money.

Sorry... fixed.

Scheid said at the time, then City Manager Scot Lahrmer, the mayor and council promised Kings Island an admissions tax would never be levied on the park.

Never say never....

"For you to stand up there, sir, and make it look like a quid pro quo, that is not the case and I don't appreciate that presentation."

Maybe not, but that lost revenue IS going to come from somewhere...

Looks like both sides have assumed a nice adversarial role...smells like Tulsa! ;)

Cedar Fair is now big business, and now that they're in town, I think it would be really stupid to take them on for this issue. Look at what they did in Sandusky with that stupid parking tax.

I know Greg Scheid and like him but I think his words might have been a little strong in that political setting. "Moral obligation"?

Jeff, you know municipal politics like I do. What elected officials may have "promised" ten years ago is meaningless if it wasn't put in writing as some sort of binding agreement.

I totally agree, those kinds of promises are meaningless. What's morally annoying is municipalities that compensate for a shortfall by trying to tax a specific entity.

I've written Mason's City council and told them. If you can afford custom street lighting and planting on even side streets.

YOU DON'T NEED MORE TAXES.

Chuck

My exact message to City of Mason council was as written.

Seems to me a city that can have decor lighting and plants on every street don't need to place extra taxes on Kings Island or its visitors.

Your out of line and bitting the hand that feeds you as I see it.

Charles Nungester

Elected officials don't like to hear anyone say that they (the official) is not entitled to their (the constituent's) money.

What's wrong with your grammar guys. ...A city do not need to? ...They is not entitled? Practice what you preach. This is the all mighty, non-forgiving, Coasterbuzz, not some dinky little message board.

On topic, sounds to me a lot like the same situation Kennywood faced a few years ago. This taxation would cause KI to raise it's prices and/or lower the budget for the things it needs to run well.

Good luck KI.

Cities, counties, townships, etc. love these kind of taxes. Other similar cases:
1. Hotel taxes... Most municipalities charge between 10 and 15% tax on a hotel room
2. Car rentals, especially at airports, where the taxes can run 15 - 25% again depending upon the location.

All in all, politicians like these kind of taxes because, in general, the people that elect them do not pay a significant portion of the tax (i.e. out of towners pay the majority of the tax) and, in this case, it would be quite expensive for KI to pick up and move to another location (the captive audience theory).

The obligation thing is an interesting angle, considering it dealt with the park property (and probably others in the area) actually changing the municipality to which it belonged.

I love how so many of these towns and cities have cute little slogans about how friendly and hospitable they are to tourists, while trying to figure out way to squeeze as much out of them as possible. I'm picturing Mayor Quimby here. Someone should figure out a way that a visitor could get the most out of the city services for which they're paying, legally of course.