A week or so ago the Daily Times published an op-ed by James Fineran, the “public information officer” for Wicomico County, touting the benefit of the Civic Center for local business. He quoted an executive of a local hospitality firm who claims that it generates millons of additional business for local restaurants, hotels and shops. Although the facility generates some additional business, it is not nearly as extensive as portrayed by proponents of expanded parking and a “new” Civic Center facility. Consider the circumstances.
Those who attend events at the Civic Center can be classified in different groups. Persons from Salisbury and the nearby area account for very little additional business – none at hotels/motels and little, if any at retail stores, because they would make their purchases regardless of whether they attend events at the Civic Center. The main beneficiary is local restaurants; according to Gary Mackes “many” persons who attend an event “started or topped off the evening in an area restaurant.” Some, perhaps most of them would have dined at a restaurant even if they were not attending an event. The proposition that “many” of those in attendance also dine at a local restaurant is dubious. Surely, most person eat at home.
Some folks travel greater distances to attend an event at the Civic Center. Those who “stop and shop” here who would not otherwise do so and shop nearer to their homes, where they have the same and other vendors, is nil. And their restaurant business is spread over a wider area. For example, someone coming here from Virginia might choose to dine at Peaky’s in Princess Anne, and someone from Easton might visit a restaurant in Cambridge.
Mackes also claims that the “International Poodle Show” brings in $1.5 million in collateral business. That seems extremely unlikely given the number of spectators that event attracts.
Once again we are being told to accept as established truth the statements of those with a very vested interest in the matter. What is their economic thesis based upon? Could it be a report by a business consultant or an economics professor who knew what they wanted and provided that result on the basis of “accepted practice” and/or bogus data? That scenario has become an all too familiar scenario in Salisbury and Wicomico County.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
Pollitt & Mackes are a dangerous combo!
ReplyDeleteI have NEVER dined out before attending a show at the Civic Center.
ReplyDeleteThe costs of the tickets are so high I cannot afford to do both.
The data is primarily based on tax receipts. This is a common factoring formula used to measure economic impact.
ReplyDeleteVery good post. Mackes and the County Executive believe the people on the Shore are a bunch of stupid rednecks. We know a scam or bailout of the Good Ole Boys bad investments when we see it. We are now tired of seeing the irresponsible spending of Government Officials when we are not able to take our families out once a week to eat. It is time they quit SPEND SPEND SPEND tax dollars when the Politians have taken just about everything we have in Taxes now. They will never take our pride but we can take theirs by taking their job away from them. They will listen to us one way or the other. Fire the ones who are not elected officials on the grounds of not fullflling their job requirements. It happens every day in the private sector. They are Public servants and they are not looking out for the Publics interest, just their desires. VOTE the elected ones out in the next election. We need to take back the Eastern Shore from the free spending Politians who are and the outragous crime.
ReplyDeletePolitics as usual...
ReplyDeleteWe always eat before going to the civic center at home.
ReplyDeleteHow many people from here actually attend a poodle show?
ReplyDeleteDon't you think it would be appropriate to survey local businesses (including the ones that might benefit from the Civic Center operations) to get some factual feedback on the benefits they actually see? The tourism dept. might have an idea who these busenesses would be. Of course, they could also be biased, couldn't they. "beauty is in the eye of the beholder...you see only what you want to see."
ReplyDeleteFolks please listen up. Anytime there is a show at the Civic Center
ReplyDeletetry getting into a restaurant, especially those logistically located. Same holds true for events at Salisbury University.
I dine out quite often and can tell you factly. I haven't a clue if this warrants additional parking. the experts will have to figure that out.
Not a good post, Joe. To post such a subjective post that implies that the civic center does not enhance our community is callous and malicious at best. How can you possibly and honestly state that anything is “nil” or “extremely unlikely”. Why in the hell would the hotel association, LORA, and other community business leaders take the time out of their day to come and support the civic center if it was “extremely unlikely” or that the impacts of same were “nil”. You are better than this. Are you a journalist or just a pot stirrer? Where are your facts and figures? Prove your assertions and maybe someone will believe them.
ReplyDeleteFact of the matter is, regardless of which of the type of person you are, the civic center brings people either into the area - or at least out of their homes. While en route, the fact is that they buy things they normally wouldn’t if they weren’t in the area for the show. I don’t care if it is dinner before, drinks after, or a bottle of water or gas on the way. They would not be making those purchases anyway! They would not be in the area if not for the show! They are in the area or out of their homes only to see the show and spending money.
Do not forget, they are also seeing what Salisbury has to offer. Money aside, what about the simple quality of life aspect that the civic center provides to all of us? Being able to take my kids to Disney on ice, the circus, or, yes, the dog show is a true asset to this community and it should be protected at all costs. Let it go people, the civic center needs this to preserve its future.
Not saying your not right but the wrestling tourneyments they have bring in a lot of people from out of state and the hotels and resurants are very busy.
ReplyDeleteI think one of those LORA guyes are on the Civic Center commission so sure he would be for purchasing the parking lot. Stop spending..that lot will be there for sometime to come. Wait until the price comes down...or not.
ReplyDeleteActually, the whole thing is cost justified - just charge every group using the facility an extra $3,000/day as a fee to cover the cost of the $1.5 million purchase and $1.5 million to bring the acreage into compliance, the extra insurances, security, lighting and other expenses. They could break even in ten years - unless users decide to go somewhere more reasonably priced like the people moving out of the county or supporting the liquor stores in ?Delmar, DE.
ReplyDeleteMost objective analyses (that is, analyses not commissioned by city or county governments or local business associations) find that convention centers and stadiums bring in very little extra money to a community. Most often they simply shift money around. That is, people have a set amount of money to spend on entertainment and a stadium or convention center may alter how they spend but it doesn't increase the amount of money spent. The idea that governments receive some huge boost in tax revenue from increased economic activity from these buildings is simply untrue.
ReplyDeleteThe Civic Center may be a good thing to have in our community. However, it does not logically follow that the county government should be running it. If it is such a boon to local businesses, then why don't business owners form a consortium and buy it from the county? I've said elsewhere that if the county sold it for $1 it would be a great deal for county taxpayers since it costs us hundreds of thousands of dollars a year to run the place.
The debate shouldn't be about buying new parking for the Civic Center; it should be about privatizing it. The county taxpayers receive no benefit from having the county government run it. If it is such a great economic engine, then surely some bright businessmen would find it an attractive investment, right?
Folks, when the Poodle Club left Exton, PA 15 years ago, the town was so devastated by their moving to Upper Marlboro, the city wrote to the club begging them to come back. There was no indication from the city just how much the Poodle Club meant to them UNTIL THEY WERE GONE. Then their Chamber of Commerce asked what they could do to get them back, but unfortunately, the reason the club moved was due to the weather at that time of the year being so unstable. The club had to move indoors. At that time, Salisbury was looked at, but there were not enough hotel rooms here at that time to accommodate the people it brings to the area. I hope this gives some of you a better prospective of what brings different organizations to our area. Not only motels and restaurants propser, but along with them all the local businesses, including places like Ace Hardware, transmission repair shops and Barr International, Rental Eqp. Center all prosper by having these events at the Civic Center. Something that many of you never think about. We need to continue to encourage events, not run them away, like the city has done with all the companies listed on this blog several weeks ago. The state has allotted the county the money for this special use. It will just go to another county if we refuse it.
ReplyDelete2:15-
ReplyDeleteHow did we ever survive pre-Poodles?
And did we go to pot when the tennis tournament called it quits here?
These events may make big bucks for a few businesses, but we don't need them, especially the poodles.
If the restaurants and hotels want them, then let them pay more taxes.
Annon 2:15 Well said!
ReplyDeleteAnnon 3:29 I was involved with the tennis tournaments and yes they were missed. Hopefully Jack Rickards will comment.
12:43..yeah, great investment.A 40 year old building with inadequate parking.I assume you were being facetious.
ReplyDeleteKeep harping on those poodles that don't bring near as much as they'd like you to believe to this area. What is not being told is that the Poodle Club of America is looking at moving their specialty to Tennessee. Don't count on the poodles or their owners to be coming here much longer. They complained for the past 2 years or more about the Civic Center, the rates and conditions. It's not the poodles that keep the civic center alive that's for damn sure.
ReplyDeleteThe WCYCC has long been a white elephant in Salisbury. Part of the reason for it not making money was two previous directors with gambling problems were robbing the place. Don't believe me? Look at the history. Greatest place in the world to rip the county off. Buying the extra parking is insane--when has the civic center ever sold out anything other than the tax payers?
ReplyDeleteRick Pollitt has no respect for the taxpayers or the employees of Wicomico County. His agenda is to please Gary Mackes and the Greater Salisbury Committee. Any council person that supports this will prove their alliance too Pollitt and his freespending liberal polices.
ReplyDeleteIf you that are commenting only owned a business that was impacted by the flux of people in the area you would know what $ you would be missing. Let us look at our recipts and decide, not you all with lips and no recipts to look at. Become realistic and encourage people to come to the area to spend money. Get off the griping and start doing something positive. How many of the people responding accually took the time to go to the meeting??? If you were there you would know the majority of the people supported the buying of the lots with alot of comments about the effect it would bring to our businesses. Get off your butts and attend the meetings...Then you have something to discuss...
ReplyDeleteSounds like everyone on here wants the civic center shut down, lets shut down Shorebird Stadium too.
ReplyDeleteThe members of LORA are blind. They must know that Mackes takes away every dinner he can with his catering staff.
ReplyDelete9:07..what a stupid comment.
ReplyDelete4:12...you have no idea what you are talking about
ReplyDelete9:07 if you are interested in discussing LORA contact us at www.lorarestaurants.com
ReplyDelete9:07 Dumb dumb dumb.
ReplyDelete7:13 Shorebird Stadium is not own by the County and puts more money back in the County than the WYCC could ever fantasy about. They are the private sector at work. They know how to feasibly put on events that are cost effective. if they had an indoor (dome) facillity they would close up the WYCC. They have parking too. They also have very accommodating staff that are willing to help and know about customer service and NO I am not in any way affilliated with the Shorebirds or the Stadium. WYCC and Gary Mackes are just jealous they Shorebirds can do things they do donot have the Knowledge or abillity to do.
ReplyDeleteI manage a business in Salisbury and can tell you first-hand that WYCC events affect my business positively. It also adds value to the community. Alot of people who have lived here for any significant length of time take it for granted. Wake up! What do you think the future of Salisbury will be in 20yrs if we cannot move forward and prepare for it. It's already way past due! The money being used to purchase the 5 acres for more parking is already there and appropriated for projects such as this, so those of you complaining about more taxes need to do your homework. What WILL cost you more money is if your government leaders decide to "borrow" this money for other uses; then they will have to pay it back. And by them, I mean US. When people talk about WYCC being inefficient, it's because nobody wants to let it move forward into the future! The building is 40yrs old with parking to accommodate about 35% of a sell-out crowd! I've even heard opposers of the land purchase say, "Well, we need a new Civic Center." Are you kidding me? If you oppose $1.5 million that is already there for more parking, where are you going to scrounge up $200mil for a whole new facility?
ReplyDelete