Ruidoso Downs Racetrack...Alamo, Las Cruces or Clovis?? (rental, attorney)

[catman]

Im a Texan, I've been to Ruidoso ten or so times, and it's never been because of the track. But I's still hate to see it go. I would think the racetrack would be important enough to the local economy for a loan to be renegotiated.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by catman

Im a Texan, I've been to Ruidoso ten or so times, and it's never been because of the track. But I's still hate to see it go. I would think the racetrack would be important enough to the local economy for a loan to be renegotiated.

We would almost always go to the track when we went to Ruidoso when I was a kid.

One of the locals I just emailed said that Hubbard (RD owner) has been pulling this since 2002. I would imagine the locals might be tired/resentful of it...and might think that he's blowing smoke, and just wants more money.

Hard to tell which it is, and what's going to happen.

[Sandstorm214]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

One of the locals I just emailed said that Hubbard (RD owner) has been pulling this since 2002. I would imagine the locals might be tired/resentful of it...and might think that he's blowing smoke, and just wants more money.

Hard to tell which it is, and what's going to happen.

That's exactly what my local friends there have told me. I think they're getting tired of RD's threats, but I bet they'll give him what he wants to stay there. With that said, I'd hate to see the place shut down as I have some great memories from there.

[domino]

It amazes me that many of you who seem so politically conservative would advocate a tax increase to support a private enterprise. If only we were so generous with the needy, the disabled, and the uninsured.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by domino

It amazes me that many of you who seem so politically conservative would advocate a tax increase to support a private enterprise. If only we were so generous with the needy, the disabled, and the uninsured.

We are already so generous with the needy (?) that they can stay on welfare for generations.

Many (if not most) of the uninsured are uninsured because they don't want to pay the premiums for whatever. They can just go get their very-reduced cost or even free medical care/Medicaid. Ditto subsidized rent and whatever else.

The HUGE difference here is that the measure is going to be put to a VOTE. The people have a CHOICE in this matter. IF they want to pay a tax to support an industry that brings money into the community in so many ways (tourism, motel, restaurants, gasoline, other area amenities), more power to them. There is an ROI.

Welfare is mostly a terrible drain, and rarely ever has a good return. There are very isolated cases where individuals really down on their luck were given a hand up--and went on to become productive citizens. But that doesn't happen that often.

We don't have a choice in that our tax money is taken from hard working people and given to others so that they don't have to work.

[JDTH]

Originally Posted by cathy4017

if they want to pay a tax to support an industry that brings money into the community in so many ways (tourism, motel, restaurants, gasoline, other area amenities), more power to them. there is an roi.

I would vote for the tax if I could, but I am not a resident of Lincoln county. If the track leaves town it would have a huge impact on the local ecomony. I own a business in Ruidoso (nightly rental) and if the track leaves my business probably would go belly up. I depend on the tourists to make my business work and I am sure a lot of other people do also.

[domino]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

We are already so generous with the needy (?) that they can stay on welfare for generations.

Many (if not most) of the uninsured are uninsured because they don't want to pay the premiums for whatever. They can just go get their very-reduced cost or even free medical care/Medicaid. Ditto subsidized rent and whatever else.

The HUGE difference here is that the measure is going to be put to a VOTE. The people have a CHOICE in this matter. IF they want to pay a tax to support an industry that brings money into the community in so many ways (tourism, motel, restaurants, gasoline, other area amenities), more power to them. There is an ROI.

Welfare is mostly a terrible drain, and rarely ever has a good return. There are very isolated cases where individuals really down on their luck were given a hand up--and went on to become productive citizens. But that doesn't happen that often.

We don't have a choice in that our tax money is taken from hard working people and given to others so that they don't have to work.

We live in a respresentative democracy. We elect our politicians, so we do have a choice.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by JDTH

I would vote for the tax if I could, but I am not a resident of Lincoln county. If the track leaves town it would have a huge impact on the local ecomony. I own a business in Ruidoso (nightly rental) and if the track leaves my business probably would go belly up. I depend on the tourists to make my business work and I am sure a lot of other people do also.

Indeed.

And....there are probably MANY non-resident owners in the same boat.

While I can understand the resentment that some residents must feel at Hubbard, if he moves the track, the repercussions will be far-reaching.....not only for Ruidoso, but also Alamogordo, Cloudcroft, et al.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by domino

We live in a respresentative democracy. We elect our politicians, so we do have a choice.

Very indirectly, yes.

The problem is...most politicians are crooks and liars.

[hogfarmer]

The problem I have with the process is how is was handled. It was pretty well rammed down the throats of the commissioners, and then the whole thought of the voting process is pretty sketchy at best. Come on, a mail in vote paid for by a special interest group? Like that is totally transparent and up front? If people really do want additional tax, then OK, but why handle it this way? Yes, I know all the arguments about timing, and having to do something quickly to avoid losing another season, yadayadayada. But another tax that will last forever (ever seen one that didn't?) that will make our area the highest taxed area in the state can't wait for the federally monitored and regulated general election?? Seems pretty crooked to me, and certainly is begging for a court challenge if it passes.