Jul 3, 2008 3 min read

I have followed the hotel occupancy tax issue for quite some time, and I need to address the current plan. We need elected officials with the wisdom to do the peoples’ business first and foremost. I stand as one who would be selfish for my beautiful Fayette County. First, I would establish the office of Fayette County Parks, Recreation, and Tourism. The purpose of this move would be for Fayette County to control its own destiny, and to centrally locate a new tourism center, and world-class Web site. I believe that we could better serve our needs rather than dole out this precious money to outside agencies.

Establishing this office would also give Fayette county citizens direct accountability to these monies through their county commissioners; if they are not doing the will of the people, then they get voted out of office.

Giving money to a university to establish a new program sounds great, but I believe it not to be the best use of this money, plus they have no accountability to the taxpayers after they get the money. I like to travel and see what other places do and have to offer. I would encourage others to do the same.

I have found that our tourism sites could use many upgrades; I have found our parks and recreational areas to be inadequate at best. We need more ball fields, basketball and tennis courts, playground equipment, etc. Consider that there used to be at least 10 tennis courts in the city of Uniontown alone, sadly there is not one today. Try to go on Pennsylvania Avenue and park your car in the non-existent parking lot that used to be near the tennis courts and to a lot at Bailey Park. Whose bright idea gave that property to a local business? Yes, it was your local elected city officials. I believe this to be appalling.

Second, examine the dollar figures, the modest projections are of $750,000 per year collected. I believe this money should stay in Fayette County and not be funneled into programs and salaries for other entities. The current plan is to give per year $375,000 (50 percent) to Laurel Highlands Visitors Bureau, $187,500 (25 percent) to Penn State Fayette, and $187,500 to non-profits in grants in Fayette County.

In 10 years we could have $7.5 million to build a new tourism promotion center, maintain historical attractions, build new and enhanced current parks and recreational areas of Fayette County, and also have money to use as matching funds for state and federal grants to bring even more money into the county.

I propose that we keep all that money here, and control our own destiny. Sadly, we could have already been doing this for years and lost $6 million in the process. The lack of vision from elected officials in the area of parks, recreation, and tourism for the last eight years is why many of our facilities are lacking; we must demand better from those who hold elected office, or vote them out.

Studies have shown that quality of life issues are high on peoples’ list when considering relocating – or vacationing, for that matter. What kind of parks, recreation, and tourism facilities do we have currently? What kind of facilities do we want in the future?

Our vision should be to have the best parks, recreation and tourism facilities in the state, if not the country; our children, residents, and visitors deserve no less.

Michael J. Cavanagh

Uniontown