Members of Forum for a Better Drumheller address the town residents who attended the public meeting Thursday night, February 6, at the Badlands Community Facility. At least 170 residents turned out to listen or share opinions with (l-r) Linda Gerlinger, Chip Aiello, Trevor Catonio, and Mike Stefanishion.
Fears of the economic decline of Drumheller and disagreement of the proposed tourism levy/surcharge were the two main topics of concern addressed by residents during a Thursday night, February 5 meeting, held by the Forum for a Better Drumheller at the Badlands Community Facility.
“Basically as you can see from this evening,” said Brent Powell, owner of the Dinosaur Hotel and Newcastle Bar, “the big issue with everybody is the absolute lack of transparency, especially on the new hotel tax/levy. We were not consulted. They have our business licenses, our phone numbers, our addresses - they could easily come and talk to us, but they didn’t. Or he didn’t.”
Powell said he finds it unfair that he should have to pay a $5,000 charge for him to bring in only a couple of rooms each tourist season. “So I’m going to have to pay $5,000 to bring in $110?” He said his business serves local customers and work crews, and he’s rented fourteen rooms to tourists over twelve years. He doesn’t think his local customers would be willing to pay a fee for renting a room in his old hotel that was built in the 1920s.
Another accommodation owner attending the Forum said if the Town is collecting a fee, he would rather see the money go to supporting the town and its facilities, such as the Badlands Community Facility and Reptile World, before investing more in advertising.
Councillor Jay Garbutt took part, intervening at different points to correct erroneous information, explaining the tourism levy/surcharge, and engaging in discussion with attendees. Town of Drumheller Economic Development officer Cody Glydon also spoke up, to note economic development information, including that more new businesses have started in Drumheller in the past two years than have folded.
Following the conclusion of the Forum, member Linda Gerlinger said "My opinion is the next step is probably the Forum having another meeting to weigh the (public) comments. Gerlinger was unsure when the next meeting would be scheduled. In early December, the Forum declined an invitation to appear as a delegation before Council.
Council states their invitation to the Forum, to bring their concerns and ideas to Council for discussion, still stands.
