In Currituck, officials are afraid that siphoning tax dollars towards a wedding planner guide, and then charging for ad space, may be stepping out of the realm of government.
Earlier this week, members of the Currituck Tourism Advisory Board expressed concern that the county, which is funding the wedding guide with occupancy tax revenues, could find itself in competition with private businesses.
David Palmer, chairman of the advisory panel, said he had no problem with tax dollars funding a wedding guide. He is concerned, however, about the Tourism Department’s plans to charge for advertising.
“Personally, I don’t think it’s appropriate for us to sell advertising at a cost at which no private enterprise can compete,” said Palmer, who is also vice chairman of the Currituck Chamber of Commerce.
Profound insight, really. By the logic of this concern, governments shouldn’t be able to disturb the free market by introducing a product they subsidize.
Now, if only the concern expressed here were applied to the government’s profiteering of desireable land. I don’t see much of a difference between the unnecessary holding of land with the intent of selling it off at a good price, and the issue of Currituck entering the wedding guide market to sell ads.
