LETTER: Why should I be pleased that my tax dollars are subsidizing certain vendors operating in the city? The vendors who operate the stands at the Saturday Market should be paying their own bills as do the other stores in the city. This ‘gift’ of taxpayer funds only benefits the vendors who operate there and siphons business from stores who offer those same products. So how do we justify collecting tax from Trader Joes, PCC, Whole Foods, etc. and handing it to their competitors? Does this create a fair business environment? I’ve also read complaints from those who think that the Redmond Town Center should donate the space to the Saturday Market vendors. Since RTC is in the business of renting space, is it good business sense for them to be donating space to those who compete with their paying tenants? If the city feels compelled to financially prop up the vendors at the Saturday market, perhaps they should consider for them an exemption of city sales tax, business license tax, building permits, etc., etc. The exemption should be afforded to all similar businesses in the city; just to make it fair. Don’t misunderstand my point… I’m not anti-Saturday Market. I’m just anti-bias when it comes to the way my City spends my tax money.
Howard Frazier
Education Hill neighborhood
Redmond, WA.
I have to disagree. The Saturday Market provides value to the community, making the donations from government an investment in that same community. The market brings people out of their personal spaces, and brings them together. It provides them inspiration. It's not just a temporary store, but a community center.
ReplyDeleteRetailers like Trader Joes don't look at the market as a competitor, but rather a draw (like a sale they don't have to pay for). When was the last time you bought everything you needed for a dinner at the Saturday Market? You don't. Instead, you find and purchase an inspiring ingredient, perhaps several. Then you go to Trader Joes, or QFC, or Whole Foods, and purchase everything else you need for the meal.
This sort of thing is exactly what government is there to accomplish. Provide what people and business can't, for the betterment of all.
Douglas Burchard
"This sort of thing is exactly what government is there to accomplish. Provide what people and business can't, for the betterment of all."
ReplyDeleteMr. Burchard, by "thing" are you referring to the government dollars? Because the government does not make money on its own--it gets its money from people. So when you say that the govt is providing what people and business can't, you are inaccurate. the people *are* providing this money.
The Saturday Market is all about community, and provides a great "open air" atmosphere for folks to meet, eat, and learn about local arts and crafts. All of Redmond benefits from this "public forum".
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to see it as "competition" for established stores like Trader Joes or QFC or even Whole Foods. The Saturday Market is only open on a few weekends, and has limited hours of operation. It is a tremendous way to support local small farmers.
I guess another way of looking at "how tax dollars are directed" is no one (voter) actually gets to decide. We might have some input on the budget process, and we might speak at council meeting. But the final decision for the city budget is made by the council. That's why we elect those representatives (to make those kinds of budget decisions).
ReplyDeleteIf every Tom, Dick and Harry were to actually vote on how each tax dollar is allocated, we wouldn't have a great Park and Recreation program in Redmond.
You can visit the Old Redmond Schoolhouse Community Center, Redmond's Senior Center, and even the Saturday Market anytime to see how popular these programs are for Redmondites.
If you like the Saturday Market you can shop there all you want to... but don't expect other taxpayers to subsidize your purchases. I'm sure you don't mind paying a price sufficient for the vendors to make it on their own; please ask them to raise their prices. If the small farmer, or small anything else, can't charge enough for their products, maybe they should look for a different line of work -- not for a handout.
ReplyDeleteMr Frazier,
ReplyDeleteI'd like to point out a couple of misconceptions about the city's sponsorship of Redmond Saturday Market. This is not a direct subsidy to the vendors, instead it allows us to provide better amenities and entertainment, creating a better atmosphere for the community. And rather than siphon business from other stores, the market attracts customers to all our surrounding businesses. Rather than a 'gift' benefitting only the market vendors, this should be looked at as a gift to all Redmond residents and their guests, similar to the parks, sculptures and plants the city provides to make the community that much more enjoyable!
Jim Hoagland
President - Redmond Saturday Market