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Recently I read the article in the paper on Feb. 7 about the City of Elkins and Randolph County sparring over annexation. After carefully reading the article and doing my own research, the annexation of the stores along the Beverly Five-Lane is in the best interest of the county as a whole.
It is unfortunate that sound bites and divisive rhetoric are being thrown around so cavalierly over the betterment of our community.
According to Mr. Kesling's own words, there are two reasons for Walmart not to be annexed.
First, there will be a 1% sales tax not benefiting everyone who shops at Walmart. The second is so Walmart doesn't have to pay B&O taxes.
I would hope that an elected representative of our community would be more concerned about the residents than a company, such as Walmart, paying taxes. B&O taxes are not a pass-through tax, so consumers will not be paying it, Walmart will. Walmart can afford B&O taxes. In fact, with those B&O taxes, Walmart would receive further benefits.
Kesling said Walmart should "look at what the city could provide them and what they would be paying out." What benefit to the county and its residents is it if Walmart does or doesn't pay B&O taxes? Could there be a conflict of interest between Kesling's and his twice-previous employer? Walmart not paying B&O can only be to the detriment of the community.
Kesling saying "People in Huttonsville and Harman and come to Walmart. . . (the sales tax) doesn't benefit them" makes a good soundbite. Non-Elkins residents may see that comment and think that Elkins is being unfair. That comment creates an "us versus them, everyone looks out for their own" mentality.
Most importantly I ask, isn't Elkins a part of the county? Do citizens not shop and eat in Elkins? The Walmart in Buckhannon is within city limits, pays B&O taxes and has the city's 1% sales tax. However, the Elkins Walmart, being just outside the city limits, can have most of the benefits without paying their fair share of taxes.
One reason the county commission could be so concerned about annexing Walmart is to see what happens to House Bill 2564. That bill, if passed, allows county commissions themselves to impose a 1% sales tax. Does the county commission have a stance on House Bill 2564?
The issue will likely be, which governmental entity will get the sales tax and what will they do with it? It seems the county's position is if they cannot have the 1%, then the city cannot have the 1% and B&O taxes. More tax revenue can be used for growth and only the city of Elkins has provided a plan for that growth.
The correct kind of leadership can take communities into the future. We must lay the groundwork now for future growth. We may not see immediate economic boom, but the city's plan is laying the foundation for that success.
Dr. A. Lamarr Weese
Elkins business owner