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TTJ*ESD~¥, ~UGUST 25, 1992 <br />Council considered adoption, on second reading, of Ordinance 92-14 <br />establishing a 4% Meals Tax. The following individuals spoke against <br />adoption of the Ordinance: Emily Walsh of Walsh's Chicken; W. H. <br />Yeaman of 1513 Sam Lions Trail; James Swinney of Henry County; Clayton <br />Catron, area supervisor for Burger King; Carolyn Carr of 1712 <br />Meadowview Lane; John Matthews of 1506 Mulberry Road; Bob Miller, <br />manager of Najjar's Pizza; Richard Sarver of Quality Catering; Randall <br />Boone, owner of McDonalds; Faye Morley, wife of Wayne Morley, owner of <br />Rumley's; Mervin Joyce, owner of Berta's Place; Lou Hall, waitress, <br />Home Town U.S.A.; Rev. James Hagwood of Rt. 1, Box 286; John R. Smith, <br />III, 749 Indian Trail; Bill Winn of Rt. 1; and Taylor Rumley, former <br />owner of Rumley's. Mrs. Walsh presented the Mayor with petitions <br />opposing the tax, which she stated were signed by 1500 individuals. <br />Those who spoke against the Ordinance said that (1) the tax was <br />regressive, (2) it would discourage people from eating in the City's <br />restaurants because Henry County does not impose the tax, (3) a <br />referendum should be held, (3) it wouldn't raise the revenues which <br />were being estimated ($360,000 annually), (4) the record-keeping <br />requirements were too burdensome, (5) it would have an adverse impact <br />on City caterers who would be competing for bids with County caterers, <br />and (6) it would be costly for businesses to reprogram cash registers <br />to collect the tax. <br /> <br />Councilman Draper stated that he was opposed to the tax because he was <br />concerned that it would place the City's restaurants at a competitive <br />disadvantage with the County's and that it was an unfair tax. He <br />stated that he voted for the tax on first reading because only four <br />persons spoke against it at the public hearing which was held August <br />11, 1992. <br /> <br /> <br />