EDITORIAL

Believe us when we say the Banner-News does not enjoy criticizing the efforts of those who serve the city on a voluntary basis. But when a particular body of city government on more than one occasion does not abide by the regulations under which it operates, it is our duty to point it out to the taxpaying residents of Magnolia.

So, we must question the Magnolia Advertising and Promotion Commission’s approval of a $30,000 request from the city to go toward new Christmas lights for portions of Main and Jackson streets.

The Banner-News does not argue that new Christmas lights are not needed and acknowledges they would be an improvement to downtown aesthetics during the Christmas season.

But A&P Commission monies are to be approved for advertising (as stated in the name of the commission – advertising and promotion) rather than a subsidy for events

The request for Christmas light funding was to purchase them, not advertise them. It could be argued that paying for such lighting was subsidizing the city’s purchase.

It might seem that we’re nit-picking about something that obviously will benefit the city. Nevertheless, there are stipulations for awarding A&P funds and the commission should ensure that recipients of the funds will use them as those tax monies are intended.

In the same meeting in which the above funding was approved, the commission also approved funding for two area athletic tournaments.

The stated use for funds for one tournament included expenses associated with hosting the event, including boarding fees and expenses for officials, announcers, booth workers, maintenance and security. Those uses are not advertising, they are subsidizing a portion of the event’s cost for the sponsoring organization.

The request for the other tournament said funding would be used to host the event. Again, the commission approved funds to hold an event, not advertise it. Helping the organization to host the tournament is subsidizing the event.

While the two tournaments, and new Christmas lights, will be good for the city, the A&P Commission is not empowered with the authority to approve funds for such activities or purchases. It does have the authority to approve money to advertise them. We are asking the commission to distribute money the specific way stipulated when the A&P tax was enacted. Listed below are stipulations for use of A&P monies as listed in the commission’s request for funding application. We believe the approval of funds for Christmas lights and for helping hold athletic tournaments falls under the prohibition of using A&P taxes to subsidize any civic group or chamber of commerce.

All A&P funds shall be used for:

· Advertising and promoting the city and its environs

· Construction, reconstruction, equipment, improvement, maintenance, repair and operation of a convention center.

· Operation of tourism facilities in the city

A&P funds can be used for:

· Funding of the arts

· Operation of tourist-oriented facilities (theme parks and family entertainment facilities)

· Construction, reconstruction, repair, maintenance, improvement, equipping and operation of recreation facilities and for the payment of bonds

A&P taxes shall not be used for:

· General capital improvements within the city

· Cost associated with general operation of the city

· General subsidy of any civic group or chamber of commerce

The A&P Commission may

· Engage such personnel and agencies necessary to conduct its business

· Contract with any group to provide actual services that are connected with tourism events or convention.

Upcoming Events