Some of our readers have gotten their wish: Five members of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors told the Washington Redskins to f— off, and are instead sending the marketing dollars for “hospitality training” to support the Journey Through Hallowed Grounds.
I’m sure that is going to pay off in spades, because all sorts of people must be chomping at the bit to take a driving tour of Rt. 15 when they come to the DC area. If I had my druthers I would just drive up and down the road over and over, buying bag after bag of corn and tomatoes and many bottles of expensive wine.
And Loudoun has money to burn, so why not send it out west where people are really suffering.
The Washington Redskins have been a thorn in Ashburn’s side for years and maybe now they will take the hint. The last thing we need is a major tourist attraction in Loudoun County.
Thanks to the Board for helping to preserve our status as Fairfax County’s bedroom community.
UPDATE: Here is a thought. I think the supervisors from eastern Loudoun who voted to send the money to JTHG Hospitality Training instead of a marketing initiative that would have allowed Loudoun to brand itself “Home of the Washington Redskins” and indicate receptiveness to the Redskins Hall of Fame facility, have just telegraphed they do not plan to run for a second term.
Joe, I know it will be as fun as having your teeth pulled, but you really must watch the board meeting webcast. It’s breathtaking in its audacity.
I never said the money should go to the JTHG, I merely asked why it was being entertained that LoCo spend the money on tourism at all? We have budget problems, time to tighten belts maybe?
For whatever reason belt tightening was not one of the votes on today’s agenda.
Cathy, this has been repeated over and over again on these threads – the money we’re talking about is from hotel taxes, called the Transient Occupancy Tax. It’s 5%. By state law, 2% goes to the county general fund, and 3% must be used to promote tourism. Those funds (known as dedicated TOT funds) may as well be spent to help grow the tax base. It makes no sense to let it sit doing nothing. Since we are a Dillon Rule state, the county can’t touch that money for any other use without getting authorization from the General Assembly. It was going to be used somewhere, so the Redskins get embarassed and insulted while something known as “hospitality training” gets money. Oh well.
I am a lifelong Redskin’s fan. I use to love watching Frank Herzog play quarterback. What political suicide! And for what??
Ah yes, Herzog. He was one of the great ones. And then came that bizarre case of the yips three years ago when suddenly every time he took a snap from under center he went reeling backwards yelling “Whoa! Whoa!” and windmilling his arms like he’d been pushed over a cliff. Quarterback rating went from 105.4 to .6 in three weeks, and Snyder had to let him go. Skins games have never been the same since.
How do you pronounce that in German?
“Spa-STEECH”
[...] also at Operative Word (well worth reading them both: Ya think anyone might be gearing up to use today’s vote as a campaign [...]
“It’s 5%. By state law, 2% goes to the county general fund, and 3% must be used to promote tourism. Those funds (known as dedicated TOT ”
LI, I hear ya, if you don’t think $ has been moved around and used by local governments for things other than originally intended or mandated, I have a bridge I want to sell you.
G. Stone is right, I thought about the possibility or ability to move money around myself. However I keep thinking about opportunities lost here. I don’t think the Redkins will determine this to be the “last straw” for Loudoun, but it is irritating that JTHG was not scrutinized, and more irritating that the County budget is even less scrutinized – a seperate arguement but still in the forefront of my mind.
What is the old Song, don’t tug on Superman’s cape, don’t spit into the wind, don’t pull the mask off that old lone ranger and don’t mess around with Dan (Snyder)?