PNJ reports
Escambia County commissioners Thursday agreed to contribute $150,000 toward a monument honoring Don Tristan de Luna, the Spanish conquistador who founded Pensacola in 1559. The vote was 4-1, with Commissioner Kevin White opposed.
The $150,000 in tourist development tax will go to lay brick pavers around the monument, which commissioners believe will create tourism.
Statues and pavers don’t put “heads in beds” so using the bed tax – also known as the tourist development tax – seems to be a real stretch here.
The reality is that the money can’t be raised from the private sector to pay for it. Many of the charities are reporting that they are having tough times.
Having a statue to commemorate the 450th anniversary is a good idea. Government paying of it….not so sure. Using bed taxes to pay for it is not a good idea – when we need tourism promoted to help our economy.
Couldn’t McNesby donate his left over campaign war chest?