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Locals Only: Let’s “work” the tourists
“We cheat tourists and drunks,” promises a sign at Pat O’Shea’s Mad Hatter, an Irish bar in San Francisco.
Perhaps Ocean Shores should keep this in mind, when trying to solve the city’s woeful budget problems. Not so much that part about drunks, as they tend to have empty wallets; the tourists, that’s the treasure chest that Ocean Shores should be looting.
Here’s a few “think outside the box” (and, quite possibly, “think outside the law”) ideas to invite our visitors to help pick up the city’s operating tab:
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•First, a new sign should be erected at the city’s gates, saying “Welcome to Ocean Shores!” in huge letters. And, in the tiniest type available: “Some fees may apply.”
•At each beach approach, there should be a big bin stocked with wood chips and other scrap wood, and the sign “FREE KINDLING.”
Then, especially during crowded weekends, police and firefighters should tour the beach, collecting a “$100 bonfire fee.” (An Ordinance would have to be passed, but that shouldn’t take long.) Discounts of up to 25 percent could be offered, for paying cash, on the spot. Those who put up a fight, loudly insisting “Nobody told me about this!” will be handed a copy of the Bon Fire Ordinance (BFO), which would contain the fine print: “Anyone challenging this Ordinance will face an additional $50 administrative fee, and/or a night in the city’s prison.”
•Pass “The Weatherwax Ordinance” (WWO), officially declaring the Weatherwax property “a free-range zoo, populated with hundreds of wild species.” Continue having hotel/motel personnel encouraging people to visit the Weatherwax, and don’t change anything about the property, except . . . Put an “ENTRANCE ONLY’ sign at the main trail entrance, then put arrows along the trail with “EXIT” signs, leading to a newly cut trail exit that is staffed by a city worker, who will charge $5 per adult, $2 per child. Again, those protesting the fee will be shown a copy of the Weatherwax Zoo ordinance, with the fine print: “Anyone challenging this Ordinance will face an additional $50 administrative fee, and/or a night in the city’s prison.”
•Create a “Street LID, Tourist Class,” which would apportion the cost of the $40-million plus street paving project, based on estimated wear and tear each tourist causes on our city streets. How to bill it? A city employee will staff the city’s unofficial “EXIT,” Pt. Brown Avenue at the city’s limits. A charge of $5 per car, $10 per SUV will soon bring down the cost residents have to pay, for our slick new roads.
•Visitors who get pulled over for speeding, say, between 1 and 4 mph faster than posted speed limits should be given the following option, by Ocean Shores police officers: “It’s totally up to you. I can write you a ticket, or I can issue you a warning, with a $35 administrative fee. Checks should be made out to ‘Ocean Shores General Fund.’”
•Serious injuries should be treated as they always have been, by our professional paramedics. But if a visitor flying a kite catches a broken ankle, or an inebriated partier needs stitches after shadowboxing a mirror, ambulance drivers should activate a special “Medi-meter.” Sort of a cross between a taxi cab meter and an ignition lock for drunk drivers, this would enable paramedics to say, “Sorry, pal, this thing won’t start up again until I get a credit or debit card.” This will expedite billing, and pay for itself, with a $50 administrative fee per user/patient.
These are but a few quick ideas to make sure our visitors pay their fair share . . . and maybe a little more.
tscanlon@northcoastnews.com
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on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 4:15 pm and is filed under North Coast News.
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I would be in favor of allowing longer camping periods with breaks between them. 90 days used, 45 days empty, 90 days used again. Then we would at least get more people here year around. Some come for the storms. Some come for summer. Some come for events during the fall and winter. Either way, they may get tired of camping and really build a home.
However, to manage it, we do need a fee. That would pay for the code enforcement.
We also need code enforcement, if brought back, to work weekends. That is when things happen around here.
Maybe even develop the lakes as a destination. Many times people don’t go to the beach because of the wind or cold of summer. The lakes are an alternative. Kayak rental, paddle boat and canoes rentals, and other services should be offered at the park locations on the lake.
Develop our trails to make the city more walker friendly. No asphalt, but just clear sandy paths.
I have long advocated beach usage fees for non-residents.
Another potential source of income would be “Seasonal Use Permits” for summer residents of Condo Town.
And what about “Daily Camping Fees” for those who own lots for that purpose. I would eventually like to see camping in residential areas phased out.
Why not double the property taxes on year around residents, for they get the advantage of 12 months of city services, where “snowbirds” only get six months? Remember that the “snow birds” still pay the full year’s property taxes that pay for those city services that you enjoy year around. Same song different verse, wise guy.
how about a “part timer” tax. put an extra tax on folks who don’t live in os full time. they get the benefit of law enforcement and fire fighters without acrually being a resident. the city baby sits their properties while they are in seattle,tacoma,spokane and who knows where else. or just let burglers have what they want or just let them burn down.
Wise guy: seconded! And I think we can call this “the jealousy tax.”
Hey! How about a special tax for the Snow Birds, like the hotel motel tax for the tourists? All Snow Birds have to carry a special card and present it anywhere in the country, outside their home base, that they purchase items. The tax will be returned to their home base (IE: Ocean Shores) to be distributed to local businesses. An idea like this might turn some white hair, red! Maybe the money could pay some of the community club opponents dues!
Valerie. You are so right. We do need additional businesses that are not tourist based. That would improve our base of tourism and retirement with families. We would be a more balanced community at all levels. If you know any Canadian businesses that would love to move here, let them know. Maybe Five Star will move here instead of Aberdeen for the GM dealership. We do need a 4th of July Sponsor along with the Sawdust Festival. Then we could have Fire Over the Ocean at Ocean Shores as an organized professional event.
Two things, Valerie: 1) We’re a little confused ourselves (rejected slogans: “the little town that pays like a big city” and “a great place to do business, unless you’re actually a business”); and 2) so glad you enjoyed your stay, see you next year, please bring a tax base with you!
Tom, you are very creative
Thanks for the chuckle… it’s good to have a light heart even in troubled times. Keep up the good work!
My husband and I spent a wonderful week at Ocean Shores. We are from Meaghers Grant, Musquodoboit Valley in Nova Scotia, Canada. Wonderful beaches and drift wood and deer all over the place, a lovely place to live. I’m a bit confused on what the place really is. Are you trying to be a city or a resort? We found the people in the shopes very friendly but are you going to allow some sort of industry that will give you more of a tax base other than the shopes for tourist and local residents? We will be back next summer to enjoy ourselves again.
Unfortunately, sarcasm will not help fix the cities problems. If it wasn’t for our “visitors” to keep our economy alive – we might as well close the doors, dissolve the city and go back under the county jurisdiction. Those of us who want to see our city survive and move forward understand that the current financial demise is serious and needs to be treated as serious. This city needs to show better appreciation of our tourists that keep our local businesses and hotels alive – the taxes from the hotels and businesses pay a lot of department head wages. Since local business operations are down more than 20% – perhaps our departments heads should take a 20 – 30% cut in pay.