"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Monday 5 January 2015

Let's Call a Spade a Spade

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "Slip of the finger":

Since you published 09:36's controversial comment, I'm wondering why all of mine don't see the light of day.

Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 5 January 2015 at 12:26


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The defensive rant about the Legion is not "controversial" Members probably all share the same view.
No doubt many non-members are also sympathetic.

That is almost certainly the reason the Province didn't make the decision to end tax free status when membership has obviously changed to social status.

That  the Legion is a recipient of municipal largesse is not argued. It is defended.

It's argued the Legion does not compete with restaurants.

While at the same time acknowledged the beer is cheaper .

Of course it's cheaper. The Legion does not pay taxes.

Friday's business lunch is known in Newmarket and Aurora as an excellent meal at minimal cost.

The writer argues the Legion does not compete  with Badali's  or Edwards Street Bistro. That is true.

Both establishments have already failed and  have been out of business for several months.

They had to pay taxes and meet a payroll every week.

Pubs and social clubs are  respectable and familiar institutions.  Membership fees may vary substantially but they are not controversial.

In all fairness , they should be paying the same taxes as  people trying to make a living in the
hotel ,catering and restaurant business.

That's the discussion.

Of  those who earned the Legion tax-free status few remain.

Their children are not entitled.

No matter how loudly they bang the drum.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Make no mistake, the tax-free status is NOT APPLICABLE to the purchase of alcohol. They pay tax on that. The difference between the Legion and any other bar (Firkin or King Henry's for example) is there is no expectaion of a profit. They are only there to break even.

You will also find that their selling price for a pint of lager also contains an HST portion.

Anonymous said...

14:17- Your right Evelyn. I'll bang on that drum! In fact I too had no idea that the Town pays for the Legions taxes.

Anonymous said...

Someone commented on a different site that he was going to buy drinks at his local legion for an hour after Mr Fantino was replaced.
It was not in Aurora but I think most Aurorans would agree with the sentiment.
So we can agree on something sometimes.

Anonymous said...

Oh, poor Mr. Fantino. His large ego was reduced a little by Harper. Looks good on him.

Anonymous said...

The comment by 09:36 had nothing to do with the Legion.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.