BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
Telegraph Editor
STARKE — Unlike support for the RJE gymnasium, commissioners did not come together over whether to help purchase a new Christmas tree for downtown Starke.
The Tourist Development Council forwarded the request to the county commission for approval. North Florida Regional Chamber of Commerce President Pam Whittle explained the $8,000 request was being matched by the city of Starke.
Whittle said the annual Christmas on Call Street event creates good will within the community and brings visitors to Starke. The Downtown Merchants make most of it happen by paying out of pocket.
Last year’s tree was held up with string and duct tape, she said. This $16,000 metal tree can be reused year after year.
“It’s for the community, just like we have all the other lights,” Whittle said.
The money wasn’t coming out of the commission’s pocket, but out of the Tourist Development Fund, which receives revenue from the “bed tax,” a tax on overnight accommodations. Some commissioners questioned whether this was the best use of those funds, however.
“I’m being brutally honest with you, this will be the first time I think anything’s come up from TDC that I’m not fully on board with,” Chairman Chris Dougherty said, questioning how much tourism the Christmas event creates.
Since the RV park is generating more bed tax money, as will the new Holiday Inn Express, Commissioner Danny Riddick said there was no sense in letting the TDC funds build up and not benefit from their use.
“I think this is something that we do for our community as well. I know it’s for tourism, but there’s a lot of people come down there and enjoy that,” Commissioner Diane Andrews added.
Dougherty referred to the Concerned Citizens of Bradford County, who were present to make a funding request of their own, saying the tournaments they have also bring visitors to the community. He found allocating $8,000 of TDC funds toward a Christmas tree a “steep amount.”
Whittle said it was a good deal considering many community trees start around $40,000.
Andrews moved to fund the request, and she was supported by Riddick and Commissioner Carolyn Spooner. Dougherty and Commissioner Kenny Thomas voted against the request.
