Viva Las Seven-Points

 

The 05/21/24 meeting of the Florence city council was very laid back. It needed to be after the fireworks at the last meeting. There was nothing controversial on the agenda. No plagues or multi-million-dollar projects. It seemed almost dull compared to what was the usual agenda items and mood of the audience in attendance at the meetings.

The one item this reporter found of interest was a public hearing for a resolution that was to be established called the Florence Tourism Improvement District. This would be a board which levied a 4% fee on all participating members. Members were to be lodging facilities with 40 rooms or more. The money collected would promote tourism in the city of Florence.

A spokesperson named “Tiffany” (No last name given) addressed the council on behalf of those interested in forming the district. She stated there had been 100% participation and approval of all lodging facilities in the area which met the criteria. The first question she got from the council was from Bill Griffin. He asked if this 4% “fee” paid by each participating facility would be affecting any taxpayer in Florence. “Tiffany” stated that only if a Florence resident rented a room at a local hotel would they be subject to be out any extra money for a higher rate due to the “fee”. Something to keep in mind though for those who have “3rd rate romances” locally with “afternoon delights”. Better take a few more dollars with you! 

Since it was promoting “tourism” Jimmy Oliver seemed to think this was the best idea since sliced bread! He waxed on how this would help to create new festivals and events for those all-important “tourist” dollars. Let’s hope it does! Given 9-million-dollar projects here and 2-million-dollar pledges there, it is going to take a lot to make back the taxpayer money this council has already spent chasing the almighty and much heralded “tourist” dollar! The council unanimously approved the resolution.

I thought of two things. One, what about the Florence-Lauderdale tourism board? Were they not doing enough? Was Rob Carnegie getting a recording contract nobody knew about? Was he entering a Mr. Olympia contest? Was it not in the fiscal budget to contribute taxpayer money to the board this year? And two, were we now going to try being a tourist destination? It seems like the “retirement” community idea failed. At one time, Dick Jordan touted the building of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail as being “this area’s Mercedes”. This was right after Tuscaloosa had received the news, they were getting a Mercedes plant. How many high paying desk clerk and janitor jobs are currently at the Marriott, Dick? So now it is obvious this council has jumped on the tourism train. 

It seems with all the new plans, from pickleball at Veterans Park to campgrounds at McFarland Park, they are shoveling taxpayer money into the engine at a feverish pitch. Will this area become a destination spot? Tourists come and go but those of us who live here need to be able to make enough to pay the bills. Other than fishing and golf, it seems made up festivals and a few points of interest are really all the tourism that this area offers. We are not Disneyland and we sure ain’t Las Vegas! Some of us would rather keep it that way. And our taxpayer dollars!