Our View 3/29/08

Isn’t it ironic? A group of businessmen want Santa Rosa County to help foot the bill for their event, but they plan to direct all of the hotel traffic from that event to Pensacola.

They suggest Santa Rosa should be receptive to this idea because it will help tourism.

How?

The only thing we see is that it would help Santa Rosa spend money it already doesn’t have.

If we help this “for profit” organization, then why not also write a check to every business owner in Santa Rosa County?

Hosting a “World Series” in Santa Rosa County would be a great thing, but wouldn’t it be nice if at least some of the teams stayed in Santa Rosa County?

We’re told there are not enough hotels in our county. Well, that’s not likely to change if we continue to allow event organizers to push their traffic to the west.

Isn’t this the same problem that plagued the Emerald Coast Classic, which later became the Blue Angel Classic held at the Moors?

Jimmie Lee did everything he could to help make the Champions Tour event a success at his golf course, but logistics and finances kept becoming a burden for him. Ultimately, he had to move the tournament. It was a business decision for Lee, but one he had to make.

A World Series tournament is a great thing, but if a private organization is going to put it on then it should foot the bill.

This is where county government always finds itself getting in some form of trouble.

Group number one needs help funding its organization. Then, along comes group-two wanting the same number of dollars.

If recollection serves us, Commissioner Don Salter once stated he wears his tuxedo to the Opera and his overalls to the Opry. A reference to the arts in Escambia and the musical arts in Chumuckla. The reference came following a visit from a Pensacola group seeking dollars for its musical endeavors in Escambia.

Isn’t Escambia the same county charging a “bed tax” to pay off the bond issue for the Civic Center while considering selling that facility to the Ice Pilots?

The Civic Center belongs to those governmental agencies, to do with as they choose, but Santa Rosans aren’t considered when they’re hit with bed taxes or other fees to fund these items.

If Santa Rosa County ponies up any money for this World Series then we should look at the things for which they need to be charged.

Santa Rosa County should get a percentage of the gate, the concessions, and all marketing of products sold.

Those hosting the tournament need to pay the light bill and lights out should be on no later than 11 p.m.

It just doesn’t seem right to have children playing to 1 a.m. and expecting them back at the ballpark by 8 a.m. or 9 a.m. the same day.

Better yet, if Santa Rosa County, or any other group, has that much money laying around, how about paying a paving company to fix some of the roads affected by the event’s traffic?

Or we could ask the organization to help transport our disabled and elderly veterans to and from their doctor appointments as a way of offsetting the “help” given.

At least we would be getting something for our investment.

What do you think?