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Kings Island using social media to fight proposed taxes

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By Denise G. Callahan, Staff Writer 10:33 PM Sunday, November 22, 2009

MASON — The giant sign in front of Kings Island reads “Mason wants to tax you ... tell them no.”

The city council will address a proposed 3 percent admissions and 5 percent parking tax during a meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at the Mason Municipal Center, 6000 Mason-Montgomery Road.

Spokesman Don Helbig said an estimated 200,000 of Kings Island’s customers have been e-mailed or notified via social networking and fan Web sites about the tax proposal.

The Beach water park, which would also be affected by the tax plan, has e-mailed 35,000 of its customers asking them to contact council.

As of Thursday, the city had received a couple dozen phone calls and more than 600 e-mails. A “couple” favored the tax, according to city spokeswoman Jennifer Trepal.

Pam Strickfaden, vice president and general manager of The Beach, said she has talked with people from the business community, who tell her this is a terrible time for a new tax.

The Northeast Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce has worked to discourage the tax since it was brought up two years ago, and Strickfaden said the Dayton Chamber of Commerce has offered to help.

“Their concern is certainly what ours is — its economic impact,” she said. “Economic impact on the region, on tourism, and how it’s going to affect every ancillary business that’s involved, not just the customers of The Beach and Kings Island.”

Kings Island Vice President and General Manager Greg Scheid said the proposal would tax people, not the park.

A family purchasing a four-pack of regular passes and one parking pass will pay an additional $13.40 in taxes.

City officials say the tax is needed to help fund the estimated $24 million Western Row Road and Interstate 71 interchange. They also say additional fire and police service is necessary when the attractions are open.

GREED,GREED, GREED THEY CAN GREED THERE SELFS RIGHT OUT OF BUSNISS FOR ALL I CARE. FRIST OF ALL DO THEY WANT THE MONEY THEY ALREADY BRING IN FORM KI,BEACH WATER PARK? "I'M THINKING NOT ANYMORE" DONT YOU THINK MASON FOR ONE MIN. PEOPLE WANT GO SOMEWHERE ELSE WITH THERE MONEY BECAUSE THEY WILL. HOW ABOUT GATLINBURG,TEN. GREAT PLACE TO TAKE YOUR MONEY FOR A VACATION.
B
1:46 PM, 2/3/2010
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I find it laughable that KI is against the idea on behalf of it's customers. The $13 is less than it costs for me to buy four bottles of water for my family. Maybe they could attract more members if the concession prices weren't so ridiculous. I personally don't think that spending money for four adult passes, parking and an average of $50 per visit on water and snacks is worth it.
Michelle
9:18 AM, 11/24/2009
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dont go
so what
6:47 AM, 11/24/2009
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Honestly people, we are talking a few dollars at the most, pet trip. Most of us locals buy season passes anyway, so why do you care? Would the Mason residents rather pay the taxes themselves, or have people from out of town pay them for you? Do you really think a 3% increase is going to keep anyone away? NOT! You pay $30 for a LaRosa's Pizza and $3.50 for a Coke - that is what everyone should be upset about. This is the ONLY park Cedar Fair owns that does not have an admission tax!! Why Not?
Joe
7:24 PM, 11/23/2009
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More tax problems? The gift of governments to the masses are bils, in this case tax bills. The implication of this tax is that visitors are the ones who use the roads the most and should foot the bill. This is not how property tax is collected. The local citizens are the ones who should foot the bill through increased millage rates.

http://www.edisonaccounting.com/irs...
Jay
6:22 PM, 11/23/2009
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