It’s crunch time for area voters. There are a myriad of political contests on the primary election ballot. For Shawnee voters, there are none more important than the ones deciding two city commission races.
The city’s future is at stake. Citizens have an opportunity to continue the progress over the past few years and to allow the city to further work on improving the quality of life in Shawnee.
In-person absentee voting continues Monday at the county election board in the courthouse, while voters must go to their precincts on Tuesday.
Voters should understand the facts about the issues before they vote.
• In 2004, city voters approved a 5 percent hotel and motel surcharge which would be strictly and specifically used to enhance tourism efforts in the greater Shawnee area. These funds cannot be directed by the city commission for general fund use to prevent furloughs of city employees.
• The city commission contracts with the Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce in order provide its tourism program. In 1994, when the first tourism tax of $1 a night was approved by voters, the Tourism Advisory Board and the Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau was created.
• As documented in an OSU study in 2006, the International Finals Youth Rodeo creates at least a $5.1 million economic impact for this area.
• There are seven full time employees who currently work at the Expo Center, not 14. Most number ever budgeted is 10.
• The IFYR generates an estimated $33,000 in sales tax money for the city. It, along with several other key events throughout the year, generate about $400,000 in sales tax money annually and that is not the total sales tax the Expo provides. This is also documented in the 2006 OSU study, and the IFYR continues to be successful, surpassing $100,000 in ticket sales this year.
• The $500,000 for the site of the new visitor’s center is generated from visitors who stay in hotels, motels and RVs and not local taxpayers.
• The Shawnee Economic Development Foundation received $176,000 this past fiscal year, and is budgeted to receive the same amount this year.
We think it’s essential the voters educate themselves about the real facts surrounding some of the issues which seem to have arisen to the forefront of this campaign. We would encourage citizens to contact the chamber, 273-6092, the CVB, 275-9780, the SEDF, 273-7490, the Expo, 275-7020 if they have further questions or want to verify these facts.
That will assist them in becoming better informed before entering the polling booth Monday and Tuesday.
It’s imperative they are educated because this election is critical to the future of Shawnee and the community maintaining its momentum.
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It’s crunch time for area voters. There are a myriad of political contests on the primary election ballot. For Shawnee voters, there are none more important than the ones deciding two city commission races.
The city’s future is at stake. Citizens have an opportunity to continue the progress over the past few years and to allow the city to further work on improving the quality of life in Shawnee.
In-person absentee voting continues Monday at the county election board in the courthouse, while voters must go to their precincts on Tuesday.
Voters should understand the facts about the issues before they vote.
• In 2004, city voters approved a 5 percent hotel and motel surcharge which would be strictly and specifically used to enhance tourism efforts in the greater Shawnee area. These funds cannot be directed by the city commission for general fund use to prevent furloughs of city employees.
• The city commission contracts with the Greater Shawnee Chamber of Commerce in order provide its tourism program. In 1994, when the first tourism tax of $1 a night was approved by voters, the Tourism Advisory Board and the Conventions and Visitor’s Bureau was created.
• As documented in an OSU study in 2006, the International Finals Youth Rodeo creates at least a $5.1 million economic impact for this area.
• There are seven full time employees who currently work at the Expo Center, not 14. Most number ever budgeted is 10.
• The IFYR generates an estimated $33,000 in sales tax money for the city. It, along with several other key events throughout the year, generate about $400,000 in sales tax money annually and that is not the total sales tax the Expo provides. This is also documented in the 2006 OSU study, and the IFYR continues to be successful, surpassing $100,000 in ticket sales this year.
• The $500,000 for the site of the new visitor’s center is generated from visitors who stay in hotels, motels and RVs and not local taxpayers.
• The Shawnee Economic Development Foundation received $176,000 this past fiscal year, and is budgeted to receive the same amount this year.
We think it’s essential the voters educate themselves about the real facts surrounding some of the issues which seem to have arisen to the forefront of this campaign. We would encourage citizens to contact the chamber, 273-6092, the CVB, 275-9780, the SEDF, 273-7490, the Expo, 275-7020 if they have further questions or want to verify these facts.
That will assist them in becoming better informed before entering the polling booth Monday and Tuesday.
It’s imperative they are educated because this election is critical to the future of Shawnee and the community maintaining its momentum.
