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Community Connections -- Shop Kennett FirstPosted Thursday, July 26, 2007, at 2:08 PM
Shop Kennett first! Many of the comments, concerns and questions that people have involve issues that relate directly to funding. Streets, sidewalks, demolition, drainage, and even mosquitoes all have our attention, but in order to provide the best services to the citizens of Kennett, the City has to have the money to do it.
I would love to be able to say that as Chamber Director I never shop any place other than Kennett, but that would not be true. I do, however, try to shop Kennett first. I recognize that it is difficult sometimes to find every single item we desire in Kennett, but how many times do we automatically think "let's run to Jonesboro (or Memphis, or Cape)."
Here's the thing -- every taxable dollar that we spend in a community generates revenue which is used in some shape or form to improve that community. Let's review sales tax rates from a few towns in our region:
KENNETT 6.35%
Now, I know that Tennessee cities have higher sales tax rates because the state income tax is limited to interest and dividends only, but that doesn't help any of us who don't live in Tennessee. We just pay the 9.25%, often for items that we could possibly have paid 6.35% in Kennett. We invest in Memphis and Jonesboro, Paragould and Poplar Bluff, often without considering the local consequences.
Since sales tax increases are not easily achieved in our community, let's work together on the things that we can do to generate additional benefit for Kennett. We can still shop out of town occasionally, but let's make a commitment to shop Kennett first. We have invested a lot of money over the years in our surrounding areas -- isn't it time we invest in ourselves?
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We do have it good from the paying side of the equation, so if we want to keep it that way, we just need to make sure that we do what we can to increase the dollars spent.
To everyone - please use this site if you have any questions or comments about the community in general. I know there are many valid questions out there, unfortunately it is difficult and time-consuming to weed through the gossip to get to the real concerns.
Thanks!
Oh, no!
You've just told the politicians how much they can raise the sales tax and they already won't roll back the local tax for the tax free weekend.
Didn't exactly mean it as a promotion to increase taxes - just trying to figure out a way to get those improvements done with money that we all spend somewhere anyway.
Speaking of the tax-free weekend, how many people will shop out of town in a community which participates, what will you buy and how much will you spend?
Shopping in Kennett would not be that bad if our stores were open after Noon on Saturday and open Sunday as well. When most people work during the week, it leaves the weekends for fixing things around the house, shopping for clothes, going out to eat ect. I understand the local buisness's cannot afford to be open all weekend, therefore no one should complain if Kennett residents shop else where on the weekends!
Okay, so I am doing some remodeling and went to two businesses in town today. However, I ended up driving to Lowe's because of the inventory and selection. I thought of this blog today and I wanted to let you know that I tried to keep my business in Kennett!
Maybe better luck next time... :)
Seems to me to be a double-edged sword. Shopping in Kennett would promote growth of our community, possibly bringing in more business. However- there is nowhere to shop! Several years ago I went to a locally owned business -took one look at the prices and left. And haven't been back since. Maybe it's gotten better, don't know. The Wal-mart here leaves much to be desired. You can start a whole blog on that! Point is, as bamagirl said we try, but there isn't much to offer and usually better deals elsewhere.
Thanks, folks - you make valid points. A few years ago when I worked for Commerce Bank (now Southern Missouri) we participated in a Commerce-wide program called Managing Local Markets. We did a variety of things, but one of the questions in one of the meetings was "You're working at home and you can't find your hammer - where do you go to buy a new one?" The bank president at the time asked "What day and time is it?" Perfect example of what you are saying.
I guess if there were easy answers we would have resolved all of these things by now. Thanks so much for your comments.
Regarding vambfly's comments:
Very true!! It can be a lot cheaper to travel to buy things.
Obviously the majority of people in this town rather it stay the same...that can be seen by looking at all the tax increases disapproved!
Internet shopping is the way to go. No taxes at all!
Good morning, all! My apologies for the belated reply, but I was out of town last week at the Missouri State Fair. A bit hot, but a great opportunity to promote Kennett and the Bootheel to hundreds of people.
As we discussed, the shopping issue is not readily resolved - we just need to remember that we can invest in our own community or we can invest in someone else's. Excellent point, oefvet.
br549, hopefully you do not do the majority of your shopping online, and if you do, hopefully you do not require paved streets, parks, fire or police protection, or the many other things for which sales tax dollars provide.
And Kennett, as always, thank you for your positive and supportive remarks.
Kennett, I don't know exactly what you mean when you say that the spec building is going to start costing Kennett taxpayers - any work related to industrial projects can be funded through the capital improvements tax now in place. And by the way, since that is a sales tax, it is funded by more than just "Kennett taxpayers".
On the vents, I believe the Council waived the bidding process as is their right to do, and used the contractor who built the building so that someone familiar with the building could install the vents in a timely manner.
I agree with most comments mentioned.I am one that usually leaves Kennett to shop at other places.If we would allow other retail stores(franchises)to come to Kennett I would stay and shop.The thing is that these personal business throw a fit when other business want to come to Kennett.I know that in the past business have tried to open in Kennett but, have been voted down.Instead of the city council having the yes or no vote give it to the public to decide.
Dossman, how can the City Council vote a business out?
are the fair books coming out today I was coming to kennett today or tommorow and was wanting to pick one up wanted to enter stuff in the fair.thanks
racefan, fair catalogs should come out on Thursday, Sept. 13th. They will be mailed with the DDD that day and will also be available at the Chamber office, banks and many of the retail stores around the area.