There is no end to the questions as to the way things are done at Town Hall. The recent distribution of accommodation taxes was no exception. A board made up of individuals currently on the board of directors at the Chamber of Commerce or very closely related, gives the biggest chunk to the Chamber and then plays favorites within the distribution process. The Berkeley Museum and Tractor Show and Sculpture in the South each received 100% of their requests. The Southeastern Wildlife Expo received 70%, the YMCA 65% and DREAM 33%. Yes, we fund Berkeley County and Charleston events at a higher percentage than the local sort. Town Hall will tell you the A tax is to promote tourism and that's true. But also, according to Town Hall, a tourist is anyone who doesn't live in 29483. SEWE may fill the hotels but those people go straight up and down 26. They are not tourists in Summerville. The tractor show speaks for itself. Yet The Flowertown Festival, which brings a quarter of a million people right through the downtown gets 65%? Kudos to Howard Bridgeman who tried to adjust more toward DREAM. He was shot down when Dennis Peiper, town administrator, said distribution had to follow state guidelines and changes would have to be reevaluated. There were some minor adjustments but what will if take before distribution committees are reevaluated? Some on the committee don't even live in town. That might be a good place to start. Quite frankly, if someone is supposed to be looking out for what's best for the residents of Summerville, shouldn't they at least live within a council voting area?

The Hospitality Tax distributions are next. The Chamber will get the most first. This is so they don't have to allocate to themselves. In the past, there has been no requirement for justification by the Chamber. Last year, Peiper said that would no longer happen. "They will have to submit a breakdown just like everyone else", said Peiper when explaining the changes in procedure. Last year, the Chamber gave back $36,000 because they couldn't find anything else that "qualified". Council sent the recommendation back to the administration for review. In the same conference with Peiper, he stated, "We would never have suggested anything other than what the committee recommended." Hmm, then why bother with an administrative review? Council did override the committee's added stipulation to the HDMA's request. That was followed by a letter from the Chamber about how they shouldn't be questioned (that's an exaggeration but to the point none the less). An independent committee should be appointed, period.

Finally, a gold star goes to Bob Jackson. He constantly goes out of his way to provide answers and explanations. He doesn't have to be pinned down and is also very personable. It may be because he's new but it is truly inspiring. Hopefully next May, there will be the opportunity to elect more individuals just like him.

With Kind Regards,

Kelly Lax
Managing Editor