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Not pleased by letter
This is in response to the letter by Richard Cunningham regarding "snowbirds" working for their lot rent at area RV parks.
First we would like to thank all the Benson businesses and the majority of area residents that welcome us with open arms so to speak. You are a large part of why Jesse and I have decided that when we do retire Benson will be our permanent home. In anticipation of this we have bought a mobile home in our RV park so we do pay property taxes. Although we are winter visitors we do pay lot rent year round to the RV park. In fact the majority of mobile home owners start out as winter visitors.
Mr. Cunningham felt Benson was being taken advantage of by snowbirds that and I quote, "take advantage of all our facilities and pay absolutely nothing in Arizona taxes other than when they make a purchase." Snowbirds spend a great deal in your community. We eat out several times a week. That may not add up to a lot of tax revenue, but I am sure winter visitors make it necessary for more waitress and waiters to be employed. We spend money at golf courses, Walmart, Safeway, parts places and many of the interesting unique shops here in Benson.
As for the host campers working at RV parks for their lot rent. Ask about lot rent in any RV park and figure that for your month's wages. These work campers may get their lot free but they also contribute as mentioned above to the local economy.
We are here because we choose to be in Benson. RV people do have wheels so we could contribute to the economy of another town.
As we travel the country we are ambassadors for Benson. We spread the word as to what a great place this is to live. So for those of you "on the fence" concerning snowbirds please reconsider. We are not free loaders who come to take advantage of your town.
Rita & Jesse Sikes
Winter residents
First we would like to thank all the Benson businesses and the majority of area residents that welcome us with open arms so to speak. You are a large part of why Jesse and I have decided that when we do retire Benson will be our permanent home. In anticipation of this we have bought a mobile home in our RV park so we do pay property taxes. Although we are winter visitors we do pay lot rent year round to the RV park. In fact the majority of mobile home owners start out as winter visitors.
Mr. Cunningham felt Benson was being taken advantage of by snowbirds that and I quote, "take advantage of all our facilities and pay absolutely nothing in Arizona taxes other than when they make a purchase." Snowbirds spend a great deal in your community. We eat out several times a week. That may not add up to a lot of tax revenue, but I am sure winter visitors make it necessary for more waitress and waiters to be employed. We spend money at golf courses, Walmart, Safeway, parts places and many of the interesting unique shops here in Benson.
As for the host campers working at RV parks for their lot rent. Ask about lot rent in any RV park and figure that for your month's wages. These work campers may get their lot free but they also contribute as mentioned above to the local economy.
We are here because we choose to be in Benson. RV people do have wheels so we could contribute to the economy of another town.
As we travel the country we are ambassadors for Benson. We spread the word as to what a great place this is to live. So for those of you "on the fence" concerning snowbirds please reconsider. We are not free loaders who come to take advantage of your town.
Rita & Jesse Sikes
Winter residents
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| Letter writer 'misinformed |
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Reader Comments
The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
love snowbirds wrote on Jan 25, 2012 10:51 PM:
" As usual, there is a noisy minority that squawks a lot.
I appreciate your patronage of my restaurant. We couldn't survive without you.
Some of our snowbird customers are sweet friends we love to see return every year!!! "
I appreciate your patronage of my restaurant. We couldn't survive without you.
Some of our snowbird customers are sweet friends we love to see return every year!!! "
renibeaniebutt wrote on Jan 27, 2012 1:37 AM:
" I agree with the Sikes remarks. We have been here in Benson over 5 years and we love this town and we spend all our money here. Those free loaders you speak of are also volunteer in Benson as well. In our park alone for the Dec in 2007 we as a park saved our reciepts and counted
volunteered hours. The amount was over $300,000 and mnay many hours of volunterrism too. I think that is not being freeloaders! "
volunteered hours. The amount was over $300,000 and mnay many hours of volunterrism too. I think that is not being freeloaders! "
JT Moffett wrote on Jan 25, 2012 7:57 PM:
By the way you pay a bed tax which in turn blesses the whole city in some way or another. "