HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/19/2008 00 Misc Distributed at the Meeting'E►'+ ED
'08 AUG -6 A11 :12
YAKIMA CITY CLERK
Dear Person:
806 Pickens Rd.
Yakima, WA 98908
August 6, 2008
Distributed at
Council Meeting
I want to register my opposition to the proposal to TAX churches and non profits
in the area of downtown Yakima.
The churches and non profits provide services to the homeless and generally meet
the needs of society that government and commercial interest ignore. It is cynical for you
to subsidize private commercial development with money that would be used for
society's least fortunate people.
Enjoy your wine bars, boutiques and gift shops but get your hands out of our
wallet. You should fund your own consumptive, acquisitive, ostentatious life style from
your own pocket.
Thank you for considering my views even though you will ignore them.
Yours truly,
i�41W X-75��
Arthur Busch
Unitarian Universalist Church of Yakima
Distributed at
r
Council Meeting
R'EC'EIVE ®,
,� l� wwwssantiagos;o�g x '
email: tacos�santiagos org
To Yakima City Council & Sfaff, ;
My apologizes =for not being present to express-my concerns Some maytake that as: a ielief• with blessing
Having operated ;a downtown - business forahe past 28.:years and as;PastCha�r of.:Yakirna Downtown,
Assddiation, I have acquired knowledge and experience: of Downtown Yakima With strong conviction, I-state
that this is the most exciting time for seeing our vision of downtown revitalization- become reality As a
community; we Have transitioried from doom to bloom::There are many individuals and, organizations that kept
.,
rfaith in a dream By their efforts and.contributi;ons we lave'achieved the mayor turn around that_benefits
everyone To all`of you' Thank Your r
We muA,hot take this moment of fife to*;be content and relak our, e''fforts:.Once'ge.tting -,on course,.it
takes,more time and a b gger',effort to stay: the'course. The future success of our`&wntown relies on the" major • -
component of PBIA Funding] Without this funding, all`will be'lost. This fiindingi's contributed by the v '.
downtown and is used exclusively downfoLwnfor the continued improvements and the,maintenanceb ours
achievements and;goals ; Past.investiiients of PBIA funding has brought forth, The Farmers' 'Market; The
Children" s,Light,Parade Christmas Decofations, resurfamg and painting,+of parking lots, summerjobs of =.
landscaping /litter control, ,creation of the ,Yakima T. , St park and entertanimenf A also _created the Committee.
for Downtown to promote aril manage downtown activities and affairs Continuation of:funding is.a must
I'm pleased and supportive of this new fuding:equation It provides an'equal and fair',assessinenf while
establishing most . .. im p ortantlyy�a stable funding -ba'se The previous PBIA failed to do such This new and `r .
improved PB1A `'assessment will provide our do ' ntown:'s future with needed funds
-:
M. co mments from non profits that they:.do not benefit and should be
exempt Totally untrue; Where do non' profits solicit funding�-From the profit Oriente. &businesses and grant
money provided by taxationupon profit orientated businesses :,It is: unbelievable..that.this narrow minded - selfish
`attitude spoke out: Theyahould be partners in proinotirig our downtown as ;the true beneficiaries theyare
In conclusion; everyone benefits from a•prosperous downtown It is he focal ,point andprrde"of a
' comniunity.Without it, we_suffer the "effects of a fragmentation The direction we.need "to Ake :;s obvious and
PBIA Funding is the critical and essential. factor of maki'ug our future successful
s
Thank you ,
Jar �Arcand .f
Moore, Debbie
From: Price, Cally
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 12:02 PM
To: Moore, Debbie
Subject: FW: New Down Town Business District Tax
Cally Price
Executive Assistant
City of Yakima
From: James, Lonnie (DVA) [mailto:LonnieJ @DVA.WA.GOV]
Sent: Wednesday, August 06, 2008 11:17 AM
To: Price, Cally
Subject: FW: New Down Town Business District Tax
Page 1 of 2
Distributed at
Council Meeting
Callie: Please let me know If you received this email. 1 did add another line to this
one. Thanks Again
Lon James, VCSC -WDVA
Yakima Vet Center
1111 N. 1st Street
Yakima, Wa. 98901
Phone: 509 - 457 -2790 or 457 -2736
Cell: 509 - 9612629
From: James, Lonnie (DVA)
Sent: Wed 8/6/2008 11:01 AM
To: cprice@ci.yakima.wa.us
Subject: New Down Town Business District Tax
To: Yakima City Counsel Members, Mayor Edier, & City Manager Zais
As the Commander of Yakima VFW Post 3 79 1 wish to address your proposed new tax
to the down town merchants. First, let me say that we are a non - profit organization
which is located on the Southwest edge of this district and this tax would not benefit
our organization.
VFW Post 379 is currently going through some very hard times financially and to the
extent that we can no longer afford a manager. Our funeral and honor guard teams
are made up of volunteer veterans who spend their own time, gas and money to
provide these programs and offer their services to the city and surrounding areas.
8/6/2008
Page 2 of 2
Most recently we did the Night Out Against Crime Kick Off at Franklin Park and the
City Convention. We will continue as long as we can to provide these services but.
the economy and rising costs such this tax will forced us to cut back on many
outreach programs. Some of the programs such as providing a year free membership
to veterans returning from Iraq or Afghanistan will have to be reduced.
We do support down town improvement and if this tax would generate dollars to help
us stay in operation I would not be writing this request to be exempt. 1 am sorry that
I am tied up on a prior committment and can not attend the meeting tonight
Respectfully submitted,
Lonnie D. lames, Commander
VFW Post 379
Lon James, VCSC -WDVA
Yakima Vet Center
1111 N. 1st Street
Yakima, Wa. 98901
Phone: 509- 457 -2790 or 457 -2736
Cell: 509 - 9612629
8/6/2008