Michael Morris – In Focus

No, you did not read that wrong. After years of opposition to the Alamogordo Gross Receipts Tax for Economic Development in its present form I have realized the error of my ways and now urge you to vote YES to make the tax permanent next spring. It turns out that the tax may, in fact, be one of the greatest values going out there when compared to other alternatives.

The error of my thinking was based in my misguided perception that throwing tax money into dubious businesses run by even more unbelievable individuals was a bad thing. Can you imagine how embarrassed I was when I realized how outrageous my demands for accountability really were? Once I saw the light it was clear that I was simply looking at it the wrong way. Change required a better understanding of the totality of Economic Development programs. You see there are side benefits. You may have heard of “indirect jobs” or “job multipliers’ and so forth. In fact there are lots of side benefits that I had not considered as I focused in too narrowly on law, lies and public money. The one that sticks out in my mind is drama. Let me show you just what a superior value the OCEDC tax really is when you look at it that way.

According to all claims the OCEDC tax generates around $600,000 a year. For simplicity let’s say across a population of 30,000 and not discounting for travelers who pay the tax. That comes to a whopping $20 a year per person. Now what kind of entertainment can you buy for $20?

1 late model movie or 4 off the 2 for $5 rack at Walmart
10 video rentals
Admission for 2 and a thimble of soda at a movie

Clearly we get a better value from the OCEDC tax when compared to other forms of dramatic presentation. In fact the antics of OCEDC and its sphere are even superior to the stage as those dramas are merely the product of the imaginations of writers while the OCEDC play is improv all the way. With no script or plot the ever changing cast always has a surprise in store for the audience. The problem, as I see it, is really in the distribution channel. Instead of presenting this pinnacle of the thespians’ art for all of its patrons to enjoy it seems as though no one really thought of how to get the word out. In fact OCEDC Executive Director Mike Espiritu told the City Commission the same thing back on April 28, ”It is through meetings and presentations that OCEDC gets its message out to more people, which is important because there are misconceptions out there in the community. The way to combat those is to get the message out.” I think maybe some of the players are perhaps a little insecure about performing in public. I mean it is almost like they don’t want anyone to see their performance.

This is where I am going to need your help. The best cure for ignorance is knowledge. This tax is in the hands of the voters. Judging from the last time this came up for a vote it seems like a fair number of fools ar as misguided as I was. It is your responsibility to help convince your neighbors that they too are fools for not supporting this tax before it is too late! I don’t think the tried and true Ed Carr/Mike Espiritu tactic of bald face lying days before their respective cookie plants began to crumble. That doesn’t seem to work so well, historically speaking.

Here enters the entertainment factor. How often do average people actually get to watch the high and mighty get caught in lie after lie? After all, most shenanigans like the OCEDC BuffN’Shine™ are planned beyond the end of next week. How can you put a price on the squirming we got from Ron Griggs (Video), the theatrics of OCEDC and Precheck at a public meeting (Video) not to mention Mr. Carr’s hasty French Foreign Legion-esque departure to Iraq. It’s like a soap opera. A lot of it is even available from the comfort of your own home thanks to Donald Yee over @ EverythingAlamogordo.com . Now you can actually watch Mike Espiritu do things like say, “Marietta Biscuit Company is a big success for OCEDC“, http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/1499277 (@29:28) on May 12, 2009, three weeks before the first significant lawsuits against Marietta were filed on June 4 and June 9. I only regret there was no one to capture Ed Carr when he told the Republican Women Sunbaked was fine just before they folded. I mean when a TV or movie actor sells his soul in front of the camera it is just an act. This is the world’s longest running reality TV show. You just can’t throw this opportunity away over a measly $20 a year.

It is in your hands.

A special thanks to the Espiritu family for reminding that my OCEDC coverage was a little out of date.