Print this story | E-mail story | This story has 14 comments Add your own | iPod friendly
Significant sales tax gain good sign
Published Tuesday, November 10, 2009
To the editor,
I want to share some very exciting news with you and your readers. I was informed today that our sales tax collections for the month of October, 2009, which represents the sales of our businesses for the month of September, 2009, were up 8.7 percent from the same period a year ago.
As you might imagine, I am very excited and heartened by this news. My excitement not only stems from the fact that as mayor of the city we have more revenue with which to provide more and better services, but also that our plan to develop the Andalusia economy is working. As our single largest source of revenue, sales tax collections also serve as a barometer with which to gauge the health of our economy.
By investing in infrastructure, education, and beautification, we have developed a new economy for the Andalusia area. We have seen existing businesses expand and new businesses locate to Andalusia and the surrounding area that keep local shoppers home and draw those from the outlying areas in to do business. Our business community saw the benefit of public investment by matching it with private investment. Such are the ingredients of a thriving economy.
This also shows that our citizens are pleased with what they can purchase in Andalusia. For years, many of us believed that we had to go to other places to find a good selection or enjoy a fine meal in a nice restaurant. That is no longer the case. Our merchants have worked to establish trendy shops, boutiques, restaurants, hotels, department stores, hardware and general merchandise stores, bakeries, automobile dealers, automotive repair and detail shops, tire dealers, banks and many, many more businesses all supported and complemented by professionals like beauticians, doctors, veterinarians, accountants and lawyers. Furthermore, these businesses buy advertising from your newspaper and local radio and TV stations. They pay for other services like garbage, power, water and sewer from the city. When sales increase, businesses increase inventories, hire more employees, need more services, improve infrastructure, all of which further stimulates the economy.
The benefits from spending our money at home are tremendous. All of us profit from it. As we approach the holiday season, I urge everyone to spend your money in your hometown.
Finally, I want to say that we watch sales tax collections each month and try not to get too excited by good months and at the same time not too down by poor months. While this is certainly good news, we do not know what tomorrow holds. I know that many mayors across the state would love to be able to share similar news with their citizens. Most tell a far worse story. The fact that our economy is strong proves that we are heading in the right direction. But we must not let up. We must continue to work to build our economy.
Sincerely,
Earl V. Johnson,
Mayor
Comments
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"The government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
If it moves, tax it.
If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it."
Ronald Reagan
Posted by AndalusiaWatcher (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
,With friendship and my kindest regards I'd like to take this opportunity to 'Thank' Mayor Johnson for keeping us informed of our state of economy and revenue and sharing 'good news' with us. That was always one of Ronald Reagan's good sides was he always kept us informed and gave us 'positive' comments when the nation was turning from a downtrend, I believe these comments by Reagan on a 'positive' note helped change America's mood and spirit to achieve and gave people that little 'extra' drive it sometimes takes to be succesful.
The only outlet myself and many others have for local news about Andalusia is in the Andalusia Star News and WAAO Radio Station, I remember very well when each day in Andalusia started out with the "Telephone conversation "with Mayor Chalmer's Bryant each morning at 7 am, live on WAAO with Jim Williams and Bill Smith Monday thru Friday for many many years..
So I just wanted to Thank our Mayor for keeping us abreast of 'good news' about Andalusia and it's progress, a job well done!
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BREAKING NEWS
This just in from CMT:
Nov. 11 2009
President Barack Obama stunned the country music world today by picking up its highest honor, Country Music Entertainer of the Year.
Mr. Obama was chosen unanimously, according to the Country Music Association, beating out such favorite as Carrie Underwood and Toby Keith.
In Nashville, country music insiders were shocked by Mr. Obama's selection, given that he has only been in office for eight months and during that time has yet to record a single country song.
But Mr. Obama was gracious in receiving the honor, saying that he was "honored and humbled" by the award before excusing himself to accept this year's Heisman Trophy.
Posted by WAtidefan (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Great job, biscuits. I needed a good chuckle this morning.
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 6:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
AndalusiaWatcher: you missed the fact that a man named Rex Bryant opened the first on-air program with Jim Williams in 1966 and was an on-air personality until his death in 1989...he brought Bill Smith to the local air-waves, and, he always brought us the true news and he always spoke as if it were his sentence...so, for many years, WAAO was on top...watch it now...maybe so, maybe not, but, I will give Blaine the go ahead...come back, bracker-bracker...
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 8:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as the tax remains at 8%, I expect the sales tax will be higher for November also, with Thanksgiving and Christmas upon us. (as long as there is no sales tax increase) Just don't compare it to last year at this time. More progress and services? Is this person the bubble boy?! Has he insulated himself from the rest of the world? This should make News on CNN, Fox and Oprah!
CITY WITH MOST PROGRESS DURING WORLDWIDE RECESSION - ANDALUSIA, ALABAMA.
I'm sorry but I just don't get this ego-centricity. Spend more tax money for more progress and services. Is this insane or what? Biscuits, help me understand this, please!
Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 11, 2009 at 11:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I too echo the sentiments of andywatcher in reference to the Mayor and Andalusia 'shining' at this moment in time in comparison to other local cities around the south.
As far as WAAO, I do remember when it was WAAO A M 1530 'on your local radio dial', the old Rose Hill gang on the radio out at 'Goat Hill', Jim Williams, Rex Bryant, Bill Smith, and live talks with the Mayor and Marvin Hamment, and last but not least, Mrs. Jimmeny Strickland, a conversation every morning with a 'Grandmotherly' type lady that kept us all in that 'down home hoedown philosophy' with her antics, home remedies, wisdom, and good ole' fashion 'horse sense'.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hi Shamrock. I wish I could understand it myself. If you will take a look at the people who support tax increases they pretty much fit a certain profile. They are well to do professionals many of whom have never "worked" a day in their life. They are paper shufflers and pseudo intellectuals who profit more from the tax increases than the majority of the public. Their salary in many cases is derived from public funds and they work in jobs that have no decernible measurament of success other than to show up each morning.
Posted by Patrick (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have never met some one that favored tax increases in general. Wouldn't we all like lower taxes and a balanced budget? People want taxes increased that distribute the other person’s wealth to them. Maybe this improvement will satisfy the local drive to raise the sales tax rate. All you right wingers praising the conservatives and making the above comments; is the Obama stimulus plan working? Do I hear an Amen?
Now to increase employment and balance the budget! All is possible if we ditch the Harvard trickle down economic theory and accept the idea of putting money in the hands of the consumers and they will spend it creating demand. Adjust tax policies that have been skewed since Reagan in favor of the wealthy (his friends). Put more dollars in the hands of the middleclass and the economy will grow. Oh! Did I say God Reagan was just another wealthy politician manipulating the system to satisfy his wealthy base?
Back to the subject! I am glad to hear the Andalusia economy is doing better. Now Jimmy, get lower prices at Walmart!
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you very much Biscuits. That's as good an explanation of our Mayor and County Commissioners as I've heard.
Unless we have GOLD hidden somewhere - WAKE UP TO REALITY, FELLOWS!
Posted by outlaw11 (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 4:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
supprtvets: I was the WAAO Sunday 'Drive in the Country" for several years, 1976-77, and I really enjoyed my time at WAAO and I wish Blaine all the best. By the way, my on air name was 'the Ole Outlaw', and drove a big Harley. Some of the best times of my life.
Posted by biscuitsandhoovergravy (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 5:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I did'nt realize there was alot of money to be made by a small town radio station. A price of 1.25 million seems high. Am I just out of touch?
Posted by supprtVets (anonymous) on November 12, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
outlaw11, if my memory serves me correctly you put on a very good radio program, I really miss some of the music.
Last night I watched the CMA Awards and I thought about phoning WAAO and ask them to play Taylor Swift in honor of her big wins,............but the only number I know is the 'Party Line' number. Most mornings I don't listen to WAAO like I used to do, but when I do I really enjoy the program, and I like that "Blaine Wilson" on the air, I can't think of anybody else I'd rather listen to than Blaine Wilson mixed with Randy Harrelson singing "Happy Anniversary". You know Johnny Cash couldn't carry a tune either, but the Country Music World loved him, sorry Randy, it was said with admiration.
Posted by Shamrock (anonymous) on January 13, 2010 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The dates are all wrong on this thread, or are they. Deja vu all over again 2 months later.
SupprtVets: retro-ing - I think you missed the whole point of Biscuits initial post.
This is fun! Let's have more of these historic threads and see if we can continue where we left off blogging.
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)