On November 25, 2014

Option tax repeal needs more time; business community should step up

Dear Editor,

First, I would like to thank The Mountain Times for printing my concerns with regard to the repealing of the option tax. Secondly, I attended Tuesday’s select board meeting and much to my disappointment the attendance by local residents was sparse, to say the least, with such an important issue on the agenda. However many of those who attended made significant arguments. Notably Chas Demarest, Vito Rasenas, David & Diane Rosenblum, Jim Haff and Bernie Rome.

What I took away from this meeting was the feeling that the repealing of the option tax for Killington’s benefit and for the town to support their summer venues should be tabled until we see if Killington puts their money where their mouth is.

But one issue was overlooked by all: Why haven’t the local businessman, including the Real Estate people, who have a load of inventory for sale, gotten together to figure out what could be done to increase summer business with substantial events, instead of these nickel and dime venues we have in place now. Every resort has a brewfest, wine fest, chili contest etc., etc., etc. I’m sure there are bigger and better ideas out there. Let’s get together and try to make our summers as important as our winters.
Richard Kropp, Killington

Do you want to submit feedback to the editor?

Send Us An Email!

Related Posts

We won’t forget Vermonters

January 8, 2025
Dear Editor,  More than any post-election period that I can recall, Vermonters remain heavily engaged since November’s election. So engaged that many want to know why the problems highlighted on Nov. 5 haven’t already been fixed: education property taxes, housing affordability and availability, healthcare costs, public safety, and the Clean Heat Standard.  This urgency, like…

Vermont Saves makes saving for retirement an easy resolution

January 8, 2025
Dear Editor, As we welcome the New Year, many Vermonters set resolutions to build new skills, improve their health, or spend more time with loved ones. This year, let’s add a resolution that really pays off: saving for retirement. Saving for retirement can be daunting, especially for Vermonters living paycheck to paycheck and struggling to…

Common ground: Working together to address Vermont’s affordability crisis

January 8, 2025
By Amy Spear and Megan Sullivan Editor’s note: Amy Spear, Killington, is the president of the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Megan Sullivan, Chittenden, is the vice president of government affairs for the Vermont Chamber of Commerce. Each year, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce outlines its legislative priorities with one focus in mind: creating the conditions…

End funding of religious schools

January 2, 2025
Dear Editor, Thanks to G. Gregory Hughes for his Dec. 18 letter, “The dictates of conscience in Vermont.” Mr. Hughes identifies a fundamental flaw in our laws: they allow spending tax money on religious schools. He also suggests a sensible solution to the problem: eliminating state expenditures on all private or religious schools. To paraphrase…