Kings Island Newsletter (November)

[BoddaH1994]

I am on my City Council and there is 6 votes. If it's a 3 to 3 vote the Mayor cast the tie breaker vote. When the Mayor here tries to get an Ordinance pasted without many knowing about it it's because there will be no support for it. I will go out and let people know whats up and they come to the meeting and complain. The other Council members get to here what people think and it all ends as fast as it started.

When you go to this meeting I think you can be there till the meeting starts and you will be asked to leave. It don't happen much here so I am not 100% on if and when you leave. I know when there are people that show up they get to say what the want before we start our meetings.

From what I understand, people will be invited to address the council first -- before business gets going. I have never heard of people being asked to leave, though.

[Captain Picard]

I am on my City Council and there is 6 votes. If it's a 3 to 3 vote the Mayor cast the tie breaker vote. When the Mayor here tries to get an Ordinance pasted without many knowing about it it's because there will be no support for it. I will go out and let people know whats up and they come to the meeting and complain. The other Council members get to here what people think and it all ends as fast as it started.

When you go to this meeting I think you can be there till the meeting starts and you will be asked to leave. It don't happen much here so I am not 100% on if and when you leave. I know when there are people that show up they get to say what the want before we start our meetings.

From what I understand, people will be invited to address the council first -- before business gets going. I have never heard of people being asked to leave, though.

It maybe when they vote it goes to a closed session.

[windshawne]

I am on my City Council and there is 6 votes. If it's a 3 to 3 vote the Mayor cast the tie breaker vote. When the Mayor here tries to get an Ordinance pasted without many knowing about it it's because there will be no support for it. I will go out and let people know whats up and they come to the meeting and complain. The other Council members get to here what people think and it all ends as fast as it started.

When you go to this meeting I think you can be there till the meeting starts and you will be asked to leave. It don't happen much here so I am not 100% on if and when you leave. I know when there are people that show up they get to say what the want before we start our meetings.

From what I understand, people will be invited to address the council first -- before business gets going. I have never heard of people being asked to leave, though.

They work for us-I'm not leaving. I have a right to hear what is going on if its going to affect me and my wallet.

[Captain Picard]

It's a good idea to go and be there early. I always like it when I pull up and there are people waiting for the door to open.

[windshawne]

It's a good idea to go and be there early. I always like it when I pull up and the are people waiting for the door to open.

Thanks for the tip-luckily I live around the corner, so even if I am stuck at work late, that shouldn't be a problem.

[Diamondback96]

My parents have made it quite clear that when I get an income then I pay for my season passes. Until then poor old Tooper Mom pays the bills. I wonder how she will react to this news, but if I were her I'm sure I'd be quite outraged. Down with taxes!

Tooper Mom? Who's Tooper Mom?

Sorry. Spelling errors can get on my nerves sometimes. I don't know why.

[Guest TombraiderTy]

I'm kinda surprised that the park's official Twitter feed is covering this issue... When I think of Kings Island, I'd prefer to think of an escape from reality and a fun place to hang-out with friends and meet new people. The park jumping into the political spotlight and campaigning against this issue just destroys that fun and wholesome image. You can't escape from reality when politics are brought into view by the park itself...

[pcc]

I have a question. Since I live over 5 hours away, it's not feasible for me to attend the meeting. Do you think they'd read letters sent to them? If so, could someone get me an address?

*edit*

Nevermind, I found the email address on page 4

[BoddaH1994]

I'm kinda surprised that the park's official Twitter feed is covering this issue... When I think of Kings Island, I'd prefer to think of an escape from reality and a fun place to hang-out with friends and meet new people. The park jumping into the political spotlight and campaigning against this issue just destroys that fun and wholesome image. You can't escape from reality when politics are brought into view by the park itself...

Normally I'd agree, but again -- this is just too big of an issue to ignore. The park has to use its resources to get the word out.

I have a question. Since I live over 5 hours away, it's not feasible for me to attend the meeting. Do you think they'd read letters sent to them? If so, could someone get me an address?

*edit*

Nevermind, I found the email address on page 4

smile.gif

Definitely send them an email. Let us know how it goes.

[pcc]

Will do. I'll fire up one tomorrow and get my friends who visit the park with me to do the same. If I'm feeling frisky enough, I will call the man.

[SOB_TOM]

Someone post how that phone call goes. I have a feeling that either you will get a voicemail, or a disconnected message.

[BavarianBeatle]

And if you call and get a person, make sure you have them read your message back to you. Usually, they don't listen to you and thank you for the call and the message goes nowhere.

[SOB_TOM]

Even if they write it down, they are still going to junk the message.

It doesn't matter, most politicians don't care what their constituents want, its all about the amount of money they get.

[Beast1979]

most politicians don't care what their constituents want, its all about the amount of money they get.

Bravo, Bravo!

[Thrill_Biscuit]

It doesn't matter, most politicians don't care what their constituents want, its all about the amount of money they get.

I wholeheartedly agree, if you replace the word "money" with the phrase "power over our lives".

[74Gibson]

To many and in many ways, money is power.

[RailRider]

Amazing that this has surfaced again. How many times will municiplaities try to throw an additional tax on parking and tickets at parks? All they see is another way to increase incoming taxes and help themselves. I am tired of this and they can expect a nice email from me latter today. I imagine they will not respond, but I am doing my part even if I cannot be at the meeting.

[CoastersRZ]

And Hamilton County may also be considering a similar tax on Cincinnati Reds and Bengals tickets.

http://news.cincinnati.com/article/2009111...es+for+stadiums

See particularly the section towards the end that talks about "Riverfront taxes."

[RailRider]

Here is a copy of the email I sent Mason City Council since I cannot attend the meeting. Im sure it will be overlooked or deleted.

I am amazed and appalled by the actions of the Mason City Council, especially those of Tony Bradburn. Once again Mr. Bradburn and the city of Mason has proposed an admission and parking tax! This tax will deter business growth, lessen tourism, and weaken the businesses that are unfortunate enough to be incorporated within the city of Mason.

Researching this tax I am troubled by what has been proposed and what it would mean for the economy of Warren County and the effected businesses. While an individual patron may only be faced with an increase of $1 per ticket, a park like Kings Island sees a third of their business come in group sales. Let me help the City Council with some math, because I think the results of this tax have been ignored. Kings Island has an annual attendance of roughly 3 Million, so that would give them roughly 1 Million in group sales. Yet this attendance tax clearly discriminates against groups visiting Kings Island, The Beach and the City of Mason, because it would cost a group of 500 an additional $500 to visit the attractions. That additional cost was probably allocated for transportation, food, and hotel rooms, but now those funds must go towards admission and to pay the City of Mason. Now you have taken away the opportunity for other business in the City of Mason to earn any revenue from these visitors, but at least you are lining your pockets. This tax would deter these 1 Million visitors from coming to Warren County and the City of Mason, can the City of Masson afford not to have these visitors? How do the other businesses feel about loosing these tourists and the dollars they were brining to spend?

Consider this, a church group planning an outing, a medium to large business planning an employee appreciation day may find it cheaper to drive just a little farther and not visit Kings Island or The Beach. They could go to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World in Indiana, the Cincinnati Zoo, or the Columbus Zoo just to name a few attractions. Maybe visitors from Columbus will decide to head north and go to Cedar Point or to Kennywood in Pennsylvania rather than visiting attractions in the City of Mason. Congratulations because of your desire to raise taxes you have driven away tourists from your city, great economic decision on your part and I am sure the businesses that revolve around these tourists are ok with this new tax.

As an enthusiast of Amusement Parks and the travel industry I am truly amazed and appalled at the actions the Mason City Council is taking in trying to deceptively enact a tax that does not support any additional services, but goes toward so called “improvements.” Especially during an economy in a heavy recession in an area of the state that has been devastated by unemployment and home foreclosures a tax of this kind is nothing more than a slap in the face of the visitors to the City of Mason and the businesses that reside there. If the City of Mason is in such dire straights why not build a toll road on Kings Island Drive, seems as logical as this tax. I ask the City Council and especially Mr. Bradburn to cease any additional actions on this farce of a tax and I hope that if you choose to move forward the voters within the City of Mason see fit to elect new City Officials.

[Diamondback FOF]

Wow...! Nice email.

[74Gibson]

Railrider that is impressive. Thanks for the time and effort you put into it.

Have you considered mailing it? In this case, I might even mail it multiple times.

Would anyone be willing to create a bullet point document that can easily be re-written, by many of our subscribers, and mailed to Mason?

[RailRider]

Feel free to copy and send it from your own email. Here is the response I have received, looks to be canned to me.

Thank you for visiting the City of Mason’s website and for your comments. I will forward your e-mail to all Council members for their consideration. We appreciate your time in writing to express your opinion on this matter.

Thanks again,

Jennifer Heft

Assistant City Manager

[Diamondback FOF]

I guess I will send it, but I feel bad for sending the same thing. Oh well. And yep, their response sounds very...'normal' or automated.

[Beast1979]

Translation: "We don't care. We want money. Goodbye."

[diamondback_king]

shouldnt we start a petition of some sort? just a thought.

[Captain Picard]

shouldnt we start a petition of some sort? just a thought.

Some of you who live there can get a nominating petition and run to be on the Council.

[windshawne]

Here is a copy of the email I sent Mason City Council since I cannot attend the meeting. Im sure it will be overlooked or deleted.

I am amazed and appalled by the actions of the Mason City Council, especially those of Tony Bradburn. Once again Mr. Bradburn and the city of Mason has proposed an admission and parking tax! This tax will deter business growth, lessen tourism, and weaken the businesses that are unfortunate enough to be incorporated within the city of Mason.

Researching this tax I am troubled by what has been proposed and what it would mean for the economy of Warren County and the effected businesses. While an individual patron may only be faced with an increase of $1 per ticket, a park like Kings Island sees a third of their business come in group sales. Let me help the City Council with some math, because I think the results of this tax have been ignored. Kings Island has an annual attendance of roughly 3 Million, so that would give them roughly 1 Million in group sales. Yet this attendance tax clearly discriminates against groups visiting Kings Island, The Beach and the City of Mason, because it would cost a group of 500 an additional $500 to visit the attractions. That additional cost was probably allocated for transportation, food, and hotel rooms, but now those funds must go towards admission and to pay the City of Mason. Now you have taken away the opportunity for other business in the City of Mason to earn any revenue from these visitors, but at least you are lining your pockets. This tax would deter these 1 Million visitors from coming to Warren County and the City of Mason, can the City of Masson afford not to have these visitors? How do the other businesses feel about loosing these tourists and the dollars they were brining to spend?

Consider this, a church group planning an outing, a medium to large business planning an employee appreciation day may find it cheaper to drive just a little farther and not visit Kings Island or The Beach. They could go to Six Flags Kentucky Kingdom, Holiday World in Indiana, the Cincinnati Zoo, or the Columbus Zoo just to name a few attractions. Maybe visitors from Columbus will decide to head north and go to Cedar Point or to Kennywood in Pennsylvania rather than visiting attractions in the City of Mason. Congratulations because of your desire to raise taxes you have driven away tourists from your city, great economic decision on your part and I am sure the businesses that revolve around these tourists are ok with this new tax.

As an enthusiast of Amusement Parks and the travel industry I am truly amazed and appalled at the actions the Mason City Council is taking in trying to deceptively enact a tax that does not support any additional services, but goes toward so called "improvements." Especially during an economy in a heavy recession in an area of the state that has been devastated by unemployment and home foreclosures a tax of this kind is nothing more than a slap in the face of the visitors to the City of Mason and the businesses that reside there. If the City of Mason is in such dire straights why not build a toll road on Kings Island Drive, seems as logical as this tax. I ask the City Council and especially Mr. Bradburn to cease any additional actions on this farce of a tax and I hope that if you choose to move forward the voters within the City of Mason see fit to elect new City Officials.

For myself, if this passes, I'm voting all their asses out next election.

[TylerRider]

I say some one should make a letter, and post it on the fourm. We should all print it ten times, and Send them all to the counsel.

[SOB_TOM]

OR give them all to someone who is going to be speaking at the counsel as proof that their constituents do not want this tax...

[BavarianBeatle]

shouldnt we start a petition of some sort? just a thought.

Some of you who live there can get a nominating petition and run to be on the Council.

Or a petition to put a repeal of the resolution on the ballot if, God forbid, they pass it. I would imagine the park may be willing to assist us in such an endeavor!