SC

Parks And (Taxpayer-Funded Lobbying)

Who else watches Parks and Recreation on NBC? Don’t be ashamed … it’s hilarious (even if the subconscious goal of the show is to humanize utterly worthless local government bureaucracies). Anyway, up in Anderson County, S.C. – home to several such bureaucracies – employees at the local parks department have…

Who else watches Parks and Recreation on NBC? Don’t be ashamed … it’s hilarious (even if the subconscious goal of the show is to humanize utterly worthless local government bureaucracies).

Anyway, up in Anderson County, S.C. – home to several such bureaucracies – employees at the local parks department have been engaging in some government-funded lobbying on behalf of a proposed “hospitality tax.”

In fact here’s a blast email sent earlier this month from the head of the county’s parks department, Matthew Schell (a.k.a. Anderson’s Leslie Knope) …

PLEASE ATTEND AND VOICE YOUR OPINION AT A VERY IMPORTANT TOWN HALL MEETING ON MONDAY FEBRUARY 11TH AT 6:30 IN THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE COUNCIL CHAMBERS. SEE MEDIA ALERT BELOW.

ONE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE “HOSPITALITY TAX”.

A HOSPITALITY FEE CAN BRING SIGNIFICANT AND GREAT CHANGE TO RECREATION IN ANDERSON COUNTY WHETHER YOUR PASSION LIES (IN) SPORTS, CYCLING, FISHING, KAYAKING, BOATING, DISC GOLF, TOURISM, ET AL.

PLEASE ALSO SHARE WITH YOUR ORGANIZATIONS, CLUBS, CO-WORKERS, FRIENDS, AND NEIGHBORS. DO NOT ASSUME THAT SOMEONE ELSE WILL SPEAK ON YOUR BEHALF.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE,

THE PARKS DEPARTMENT

Schell’s email – which included several other county employees among its recipients – was sent from his government email address during the middle of a work day. In other words he used taxpayer time and resources to lobby for the passage of a tax hike.

Is that legal? Of course not … but in South Carolina (like Slick Rick said) “this type of shit happens every day.” In fact it’s one of the primary defenses employed by our state’s failed education establishment whenever market-based reforms are close to becoming law.

As we’ve stated on numerous previous occasions (most recently here) government shouldn’t be in the parks business. Nor should it be in the recreation or tourism businesses. Those are not core functions of government – and any money budgeted for them ought to be rebated to taxpayers. The very last thing we should tolerate? Letting employees who perform these non-core functions waste our time and money lobbying for tax hikes …

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12 comments

The Granite Halls February 17, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Hell, the Budget and Control Board hired a full time lobbyist and paid him a six figure salary, when Fred (can’t use a senence without 15 curse words) Carter became ExecutiveDirector. He was retaind under Rick (Innovista Boonoggle)Kelly during his reign also.
Other than Elinor (the Bloody Btch ) Kitzman, these were te two worse and corrupt Executive Directors the Budget and Control Bd. were unfortunate to be Ruled by!

Reply
The Granite Halls February 17, 2013 at 8:47 pm

Hell, the Budget and Control Board hired a full time lobbyist and paid him a six figure salary, when Fred (can’t use a senence without 15 curse words) Carter became ExecutiveDirector. He was retaind under Rick (Innovista Boonoggle)Kelly during his reign also.
Other than Elinor (the Bloody Btch ) Kitzman, these were te two worse and corrupt Executive Directors the Budget and Control Bd. were unfortunate to be Ruled by!

Reply
jimlewisowb February 17, 2013 at 10:09 pm

Well, at least while he was typing the email he wasn’t jerking off

Reply
? February 17, 2013 at 10:40 pm

You don’t think he could do both simultaneously?

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jimlewisowb February 17, 2013 at 9:09 pm

Well, at least while he was typing the email he wasn’t jerking off

Reply
? February 17, 2013 at 9:40 pm

You don’t think he could do both simultaneously?

Reply
njoyin it February 18, 2013 at 10:45 am

Damn- Certainly not appropriate to use government computer for lobbying, but I don’t understand your continued bashing of government entities providing parks (and the recreational opportunities they provide) to their constituents. Personally, I am thankful for folks like Teddy Rosevelt that had the foresight to create the National Park Service. Ever been to the Grand Canyon? YellowStone? Ever play a team sport as a kid at the local parks and rec. dept? Ever been to a state park? A boat ride in the ACE Basin? OK, that is not a park but it is afforded certain protections through government. Is there a place you ever go just to take a walk and clear your head? Ever take your little ones to a playground? If not, you are missing out.

Reply
nitrat February 18, 2013 at 12:16 pm

He gets his money from the Kochs and says whatever they want him to say. They are all stuck in a wild west fantasy world. never have so many been so ignorant about so much.

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rwwllms February 18, 2013 at 12:26 pm

I agree. I feel that parks are a necessity. All my family and friends enjoy spending time at our state parks. Friends from out of state are always pleasantly surprised about how nice, fun, and enjoyable our state parks are. They even get a envious and wish their state had some as nice as ours are.

On this matter FITs is really blowing it out of his ass.

Reply
njoyin it February 18, 2013 at 9:45 am

Damn- Certainly not appropriate to use government computer for lobbying, but I don’t understand your continued bashing of government entities providing parks (and the recreational opportunities they provide) to their constituents. Personally, I am thankful for folks like Teddy Rosevelt that had the foresight to create the National Park Service. Ever been to the Grand Canyon? YellowStone? Ever play a team sport as a kid at the local parks and rec. dept? Ever been to a state park? A boat ride in the ACE Basin? OK, that is not a park but it is afforded certain protections through government. Is there a place you ever go just to take a walk and clear your head? Ever take your little ones to a playground? If not, you are missing out.

Reply
nitrat February 18, 2013 at 11:16 am

He gets his money from the Kochs and says whatever they want him to say. They are all stuck in a wild west fantasy world. never have so many been so ignorant about so much.

Reply
rwwllms February 18, 2013 at 11:26 am

I agree. I feel that parks are a necessity. All my family and friends enjoy spending time at our state parks. Friends from out of state are always pleasantly surprised about how nice, fun, and enjoyable our state parks are. They even get a envious and wish their state had some as nice as ours are.

On this matter FITs is really blowing it out of his ass.

Reply

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