SandBox Comments: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "City sales taxes continue to rebound"

Here's an alternate way of looking at the news, 'kids'.

There's no more 'lip gloss on the pig'.

You demanded that cheerleader rally type of unsubstantiated numbers reporting from a vendor be eliminated.

You shouted out for the city to be the voice.  While that city voice has yet to appear, it is coming.

Nothing can be done about how the local paper reports revenues, but John Stroud does give a little insight today into an inability to access city numbers for months after the fact.  Unlike every other municipality in the area, it appears the City of Glenwood Springs manager and finance department are steady running two months behind in getting their act together on detailed reports.

So, you have what you asked for.

That could be called progress.

On the other hand, 1.75% up overall from the previous year, when all other governments around us are 5% to 12% higher is so, so depressing.  Especially when one of the marketing vendor's board of directors and a prominent seat on the tourism board, Carl Moak, is still dreaming big of 2007 numbers.

A dream that ill-suits the responsibility of his position.

The hole we are in, because we are so far behind all others is still at around 60% to 70% loss is now headed into its 5th year.  We would have to perform, for a year straight at 50% increase in lodging and tax revenues just to climb out and flat-line to 2007 numbers.

1.75% cannot be called a rebound nor can it come close to being called progress.

John Stroud:
"For the year to date, sales taxes are up 1.75 percent over last year. Sales in 2011 continue to outpace monthly figures for both 2009 and 2010, a trend that began in June.

The numbers bode well for a strong finish to the year. However, retail sales remain behind the city's pre-recession numbers from 2007 and the first 10 months of 2008.

The city will release November numbers in early January, while the December and preliminary year-end numbers are reported in February...."

(Read the article?  Click title.  Comment to discuss)

"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."