Letter: Demonstrates

Published 12:15 am Saturday, October 26, 2024

At the Cannon Beach Coffee with the Councilors Oct. 21, a comment made by City Council candidate Mike Bates needs to be corrected. Bates stated that the Cannon Beach Chamber of Commerce receives 70% of the transient lodging funds. This misinformation on how funds are dispersed demonstrates a complete lack of understanding of the subject.

The Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit organization with the mission of supporting the business community of Cannon Beach. It receives no funding from the city but is funded by member dues. The chamber is contracted by the city of Cannon Beach to provide visitor information and destination marketing within the chamber-owned building. According to the city budget, this contact is funded by 7% of the total TLT funds collected and remitted to the city from hotel revenue. This contract was supported by the lodging industry when the city increased the lodging tax in 2015. Annually, the chamber receives approximately $500,000 to do this work.

This total lack of knowledge and misinformation regarding city functions added to Bates’ blowup at the Oct. 18 candidate forum timekeeper demonstrates an unfit candidate for City Council.

When voting, pick even-tempered candidates who show accurate knowledge of city functions.

MATT BUSCHERT

Cannon Beach