I just finished reading the Friday Exeter Newsletter. 2 letters to the editor from Dennis Brady, Frank Ferraro and an article on, you guessed it, "Downtown Revitalization". Oh no, not again!
On Monday night Dan Chartrand and Russ Dean proposed "...a new committee" to specifically study "beautification" of the downtown, at taxpayer expense. They claim "we" need a "blue ribbon committee" to study this issue. Contrary to the reporting, the EEDC did focus on downtown with a special TIF subcommittee.
Mr. Chartrand and Julie Gilman claim businesses are leaving because of "beautification" issues, like telephone poles. Aside from the sidewalks and unkempt trees, there is nothing I see that points to "deterioration" and why stores turn over.
You want to do something constructive, prepare a survey directed at business owner satisfaction and have the EEDC subcommittee speak with owners and elicit any town issues that they feel inhibits their livelihood. Chartrand, in spite of his mystic powers, cannot speak for all business owners. Instead of trying to "get in the heads of owners", just talk to them. Much more productive.
And, by the way, as property taxes are the issue, spending money frivolously on power lines is counter productive to just fixing the sidewalks and getting the job done. Glad Selectpersons Clement and Surman stood up for the voters.
Mr. Publius, what is the objective level of taxation you consider to be appropriate?
ReplyDeleteThe answer lies in a comparison with other communities where a business may choose to locate. Exeter is higher, hence one might expect Town management to make every effort to close that gap to attract business. Giving tax incentives only shifts the burden to other taxpayers, many of whom are on fixed incomes and barely holding on as it is.
DeleteWhy should it depend on other towns (which are probably also doing the wrong things)? What do those towns compare with? Exeter? Isn't that a circular argument? How many towns do you compare with? What is the objective number? How can a town government possibly calculate better than market actors? Why does a town need "management" in the first place?
DeleteI agree, identify the problem before creating a set of solutions. The largely non-Exeter resident business owners need to express their views on this matter.
ReplyDeleteInteresting...I guess only comments that Mr. Publius doesn't like get deleted. Contrary opinions aren't allowed.
ReplyDelete"Chartrand, in spite of his mystic powers, cannot speak for all business owners." LoL
ReplyDeleteSeriously, the rationale I hear by Chartrand and Julie is anecdotal. Hey how about putting that Director of Economic Development to work and meeting with these supposed business owners!?