I tell ya what. I was fairly angry this spring about some of the things that have been going on this year, but I gotta tell ya-in light of this issue, I am understanding a bit more of the big picture-and it makes me mad over a different issue. I am going to be thinking about this all weekend.

Sorry... been away from the computer all day. Here's the latest...

“I think the entire Mason area is going to shoulder the bill for this because if we have less visitors at Kings Island, there’s less people staying at the restaurants, less people staying at the hotels, less people going to the convenience stores,” Scheid said. “They’re robbing Peter to pay Paul here.”

Ticket tax proposal has both sides lining up from the Middletown Journal

...and the sign of the times.

im loving the signage.

Edit: that link is broken, goes to a random nonexistant page.

Ryan, the link doesn't work-anyway, I noticed the signage on my way home from work tonight. I think this is going to be a really big deal and could get a little interesting.

Looking for some help/additional info (and will apologize in advance in case I missed a link).

- Is the specific resolution that will be voted on available somewhere or just the news articles?

- What besides The Beach and KI would be subject to the tax? If thinking tickets to the Crocs Volleyball or Tennis tourneys? What about the Mason Childrens theater? Where does the definition end?

I am a Mason resident and plan to attend on Monday and send an email, but would like to read in detail what is being proposed to make the soundest argument possible.

Thanks for any help.

I'd love to see what the KI marquee sign could have to say on this issue.

I knew it!! I knew it!! I knew they'd do it!!

Ryan, the link doesn't work-anyway, I noticed the signage on my way home from work tonight. I think this is going to be a really big deal and could get a little interesting.

Fixed the link. Thanks for the heads up.

I remembered someone asked yesterday if they had put anything on the sign yet. I guess that's your answer.

Looking for some help/additional info (and will apologize in advance in case I missed a link).

- Is the specific resolution that will be voted on available somewhere or just the news articles?

- What besides The Beach and KI would be subject to the tax? If thinking tickets to the Crocs Volleyball or Tennis tourneys? What about the Mason Childrens theater? Where does the definition end?

I think the tax will be enforced upon anything with gated admission... that's including Kings Island, The Beach, Great Wolf Lodge and others.

Now, which businesses with be SUBJECT to the tax and which ones will be AFFECTED by the tax are two different stories. Let's just use Kings Island as an example. Let's say Kings Island's admission drops. That results in few job opportunities at the park for Mason residents. It also results in fewer people booking hotel rooms, so the hotels will have to lay people off. Less people in the area will results in a decline in business for restaurants so they'll have to lay people off too. It's an endless downward spiral that affects everyone.

Ok - sent my email to council. Will see if I get the same form response as Railrider.

Also, a couple of recommendations if you want to send an email or letter:

- Make it personal. I believe multiple copies of the same letter would actually not help as it looks like a planned group activity. A unique email from you requires thought and is more likely to be valued

- Be Respectful. If you come across as immature and disrespectful, your opinion will not be taken seriously

- Get to the Point. A short email is more likely to be read and understood [Example: I want to voice my opposition to the proposed admissions and parking tax as I feel it will negatively impact our business partners as well as the community. Kings Island and The Beach employ many people and the tourists who visit the parks help sustain numerous other businesses in the area - a tax puts both the jobs and tourists at risk.]

Thanks for posting the info! I drove by KI this weekend and saw the marquee but had NO idea what in the world was going on... and even I'm thinking about making the 2 1/2 hour drive to go to this on monday....

And I'm actually kinda glad that they DO have it on their marquee... it might just get more ppl like me to look stuff up wondering wtf they're talking about, and therefore more ppl showing up... ya never know it might happen

As Frisbeefan pointed out in the KICentral Meetups Section, Kings Island has now posted info about the potential tax on their official web site.

I can post about this at The Examiner site if you think it would help? I'd like to include the photos of the marquee if that's okay with you, Boddah?

I can post about this at The Examiner site if you think it would help? I'd like to include the photos of the marquee if that's okay with you, Boddah?

Yes -- by all means.

Here is the story. I found a hard-to-watch council meeting video from the 9th where they did the 1st reading of the taxes.

Kings Island, Great Wolf Lodge and The Beach may all cost more in 2010

gotta run out for a lunch now, if anyone finds any typos in this article, I can revise later today.

A good point in that article is the amount of revenue that will be generated, and it sounds like they really don't know. Someone should ask them about that.

Interesting factoid:

When Geauga Lake operated successfully as an amusement park, more than 1/3 of its business was group sales. When the city of Aurora passed an admissions tax, most of the groups that did annual outings at Geauga Lake could no longer afford it because the tax put the price out of their budget. Geauga Lake also suffered a loss in season pass sales because of the tax. The park never recouped the loss in revenue from group sales and season pass and ultimately a tough business decision had to be made to close the amusement park. The admissions tax wasn’t the sole reason Geauga Lake closed, but it played a major part in it.

Kings Island, Mason war over tax plan from Cincinnati.com

Some very interesting comments on that one..

Mayor Tom Grossmann says he'll abstain.

The Mayor don't have a vote anyway unless there is a tie vote. It would be hard to have that happen with 5 members to vote.

Mayor Tom Grossmann says he'll abstain.

The Mayor don't have a vote anyway unless there is a tie vote. It would be hard to have that happen with 5 members to vote.

In an earlier post didnt you say there were 6 voting members? Meaning a 3-3 tie could happen?

Mayor Tom Grossmann says he'll abstain.

The Mayor don't have a vote anyway unless there is a tie vote. It would be hard to have that happen with 5 members to vote.

In an earlier post didnt you say there were 6 voting members? Meaning a 3-3 tie could happen?

Yes but they said one council seat is vacant.