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New ghost town?
Dear Editor,
If recent information wasn't a 2x4 between the eyes of city government, it sure should have been.
First is sales tax collections. To use this is to determine the health of the local economy is like determining the depth of the lake by looking at the surface.
In July of this year the city received $123,950 compared to $121,895 for the same period last year. That $2,055 increase is a mere 1.7 percent increase.
During that year, natural gas rates have risen 25 percent, electric rates 10 percent and water and sewer 10 percent. All of these are subject to sales tax and by themselves should have made the increase far more than 1.7 percent.
Prices of many goods subject to sales tax have also risen drastically. Copper pipe and wire up 50 percent, carpet up 18 percent, plastic products up 15 to 20 percent, shingles, vinyl siding, etc., etc., all up.
Looking beyond the surface, these facts lead to the conclusion that sales volume actually declines a year ago by 10 to 15 percent.
Since 2000, I count a net loss of at least 11 businesses: a grocery store, a jewelry store, two used car dealers, My Favorite Things, Ben Franklin, a buffet restaurant, a fabric store, Amy's Fashions, a modular home dealer, a coin dealer, Redman's Shoes, Radio Shack, Auto Zone, Blockbuster, Carpet King and two fewer convenience stores. We've gained two cellular phone stores, Garrison's, Game On, Fastenal, Joltin' Joe's and a liquor store. A new owner and / or a new name for a business that existed previously is not a gain!
Other disturbing news is that McCook's population has declined by 500 folks since 2000. City hall says says it's no big deal ... I say it's a VERY big deal. That's over a 6 percent decline. Six percent fewer customers for our merchants. Permit me to put it in perspective. If each of those 500 folks bought fast food twice a week, that's 52,000 fewer sales a year ... probably a loss of sales for 1,000 pairs of shoes. That decline trickles through every single phase of our local economy.
I know of 16 people who have left McCook since the 2000 census. How many can you name?
Fact is, had there not been hyper-inflation of many products subject to sales tax, revenues received by the city would have declines.
The population loss and the loss of merchants are the two most important issues facing the city. They must be addressed aggressively by spending our money to reverse these trends.
Ghost towns don't need walking trails nor a city hall.
'Nuff said.
Bill Frasier,
McCook