It appears more and more likely, as the last votes are counted, that Ashland has rejected Measure 15-214, the city’s second attempt to shift the proceeds of the food and beverage tax to offset it’s ever-growing general fund expenditures. This tax, originally enacted to fund capital improvements and reduce the cost to ratepayers, has always been controversial. Now, as our tourism economy struggles, was not the time to extend it, as the City Council proposed.

The City of Ashland must learn to live within its means, spend the ample funds it already receives wisely and stop dividing the community with efforts around the meals tax. We face many challenges. How about our leaders work with us to solve them? Leave the meals tax alone.

George Kramer

Ashland