...John Hildebrandt, vice president and general manager of the amusement park, said Monday that Cedar Point will support a 0.25 percent increase in the admissions tax next year if city residents approve a 0.25 percent income-tax hike this November.

Hildebrandt said although Cedar Point has for 35 years opposed an admissions-tax increase, which he called a "targeted tax," the company is willing to share the burden with residents given the harsh economic times....

"Given the financial circumstances the city faces, if the voters approve a 0.25 percent increase in the city income tax, Cedar Point would not object to an equivalent increase of 0.25 percent in the admissions tax."

Not all residents took kindly to Hildebrandt's offer. Some pointed out that visitors pay the admissions tax, not the company, so Hildebrandt was "tricking the voters" with his speech. Dennis Temple argued the tax increases aren't equivalent: Raising the income tax from 1 to 1.25 percent is a 25 percent increase, while raising theadmissions tax from 3 to 3.25 percent, as Hildebrandt proposed, is an 8.3 percent increase....

http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2...2b699935055.txt

Um, why on earth does Mason need to raise taxes in the first place? I though that town was dripping with dollars! I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover...

Well, this one is Sandusky and Cedar Point, but your point about Mason has also been discussed here in the past. . .

(can't find the embarrased emoticon)...

Oops! Sorry about that. I read it too fast, and had the old Mason story in the back of my head (I kept replacing "Point" with "Fair").

I suppose Sandusky must be hurtin' financially...

Um, why on earth does Mason need to raise taxes in the first place? I though that town was dripping with dollars! I guess you really can't judge a book by its cover...

Mason used to be a nice, sleepy town but since they became a city they think they think they are another Beveryly Hills. They started to annex land from the township and have home builders build all those several hundred thousand dollar homes. Have you seen all the fancy street lights and landscaped mediums on the streets in Mason? Have you seen the new city hall? New and recently enlarged community center and pool? Recently purchased of the former Kings Island Golf Center which includes the tennis stadium? New skate park by the new sewer plant? All of this cost money and Mason has one of the highest tax rate in the state. When was the last time Kings Island Drive has been repaved or new street lights installed? The nearest fire station to Kings Island located at Kings Mills, a mile or so away. But Mason's is located all the way to the west, past Mason Mongtomery Road, which responds first to any emergency at the park. Mason needs the tax increast to pay for all of this gold plated improvements they have built. With the current economic down turn, Mason continues to attract all those 500 thousand dollar plus housing delvelopments, which has been featured at Home-a-Rama. How many of us can afford those homes? But we are being ask to pay for all of those gold plated improvements Mason has built. Also watch out when you drive down Kings Island Drive. The Mason Police cars have been parked in the drop off area watching or speeders going 46 mph or more on the Drive. Don't be surprised that they will stop you for "speeding" to also help pay for the curent Mason spending.

^wouldn't want facts to get in the way of your rant, but would appreciate some citations.

- I don't think Mason has one of the higher city tax rates in the state

- I don't think Mason owns the tennis stadium

disclaimer - yes I live in Mason, no I don't think there should be an admissions tax at KI, no, I don't think the city spends all it's $ wisely, yes I understand the article was talking about Sandusky