To the Editor:
Hisses to the out-of-state, corporate-owned The Daily Republic for not informing the taxpayers about the back door deals the city and head of the chamber/development corporation are doing with our money.
Mitchell is the only community in South Dakota where the chamber/development corporation competes against downtown businesses that they are supposed to support. Why? They are also reaping hundreds of thousands of dollars off the third penny sales tax.
The chamber/development corporation has a lucrative contract with the city, from which they received 84 percent of all revenues from the city-owned gift shop. Could the chamber's sweetheart deals with the city be one reason why the Corn Palace is losing money every year?
The gift shop contract should be bid out privately if the city doesn't want to manage it. Should the chamber be allowed to own properties and businesses around the Corn Palace, which it buys with taxpayers' money?
ADVERTISEMENT
The chamber/development corporation profits from state aid, chamber dues, business rentals, gift shop revenues and half of the third penny sales tax, while paying no property taxes.
The head of the chamber/development corporation just broke a contract with the Hohns that was to house the new visitors center that is located just off the interstate. Moving the visitors center is not in the best interest of tourists, tourist attractions or private businesses. People used to stop right off the interstate and get great hospitality and tourism materials along with directions from our wonderful RSVP volunteers. That will now end.
It's time the bosses at The Daily Republic stop being cronies with the special interests and get back to being the watchdogs for all people of Mitchell. That way, fairness and accountability will be brought back so everybody can be treated equally.
Tara Volesky
Mitchell
