Tax Gets the Usual Treatment

HOLTVILLE TOOK ANOTHER STAB AT its Utility Tax last week.
It’s the only one, except Brawley, that is operating. Since the potential for controversy is high, the Holtville council did what most governments of any size do. They agreed to a study of the law and postponed action on it until the end of October.
Cool.
Postponing something is among the best ways a city can duck an issue. Along with promising an “extensive study” of it.
So the second thing the council did was order an “extensive study.”
By the time they get around to bringing this back, everybody will have forgotten about it and they will be able to do whatever they like with it. Which means it will probably stay in place.
Taxes never disappear the way the people who pass them think they will. Once in place, someone will have to find out how to come up with the money they need without the offensive tax. In the case of the utility tax, it is hardly noticed by most people, since it is tacked onto your bill for electricity, telephone and even cable television. It just blends in with the  rest of the numbers.
Also, like most taxes, its original purpose has been blurred and the money that was specifically set aside to keep Holtville with its own police department, has now gone to other uses including mowing the lawn at Holt Park.
It’s just too tempting for governments to see a big pile of cash and not dig into it for other purposes.
The police department has been turned over to the County Sheriff, but the tax is still here. So where is the money going? a little more explanation should be coming from the council.
It will be interesting to see what this study turns up. Somebody needs to think a little harder on where to get some money other than the people’s pockets.
CIVIC GROUPS AND NONPROFITS are having to find new places to host their major events. The Imperial Valley Joint Chambers of Commerce will be moving its Fall mixer to Brawley this year. The place has yet to be determined.
Without the presence of the centrally located Barbara Worth County Club, the Joint Chambers are sending their mixer on the road. It will be rotated among its members each year.
I ATTENDED THE CALEXICO CHAMBER as a member of that August board this week. They have a very large and diverse membership with somebody aggressively pursuing events to stimulate the economy in that city.
More Chambers would do well to check out what the Border City does and perhaps do something to help its members make it through the recession.
Brawley brought in Congressman Filner to talk with members about the current economic climate
Too bad more Chambers aren’t interested in doing something like this.
That’s something they  could do for free. Most of the time you get that same old song and dance “we don’t have any money” from these people.
WE’RE GEARING UP FOR THE the Fall season and need some writers for sports in the Valley cities of Calexico and Imperial. If there is somebody out there that would like to help out on a free-lance basis, give us a call at 356-2995.
That would include covering football and volleyball as well as other sports throughout the school year.
Payment is based on a per story used basis. Meaning you can make some extra money working part-time and have lots of fun doing it. If you can take pictures, you can earn even more. And you get to stand on the sidelines and watch the action up-close and personal.
TIME FOR OUR ANNUAL MESSAGE  to watch out around schools. Classes will be starting up again next week in several parts of the Valley and will be at full strength by Aug. 30th.
Drive safely and slowly and keep our kids safe too.
IT’S GOOD TO SEE work being done on Dogwood Road at I-8. Anything that improves what has become a major intersection will be a welcome relief from the cars zipping past the on-ramps without any consideration for those trying to turn onto Dogwood.
It’s long overdue.