This past Saturday and Sunday there was a great art show in Woodstock - the kind of event that can help put (keep?) Woodstock on the map. It was the kind of event that ought to occur many times during the summer and one that could draw visitors and artists from quite a large area, benefiting not just the artists whose works were shown and sold but also other merchants - the bed-and-breakfast inns. the small hotel on the Square (yes, Virginia, there is a hotel on the Square), restaurants, shops, etc.
The art show was the 3rd Annual Gallery in the Garden, sponsored by the residents at 600 Lawndale Avenue. Where's Lawndale Avenue? It's the side street by the Groundhog Day house, off Fremont Street.
The weather cooperated beautifully, providing two dry days - perfect weather, even if a little on the warm side. But, after all, it's July in Woodstock.
I happened to notice a few of the informal transactions taking place and wondered about sales tax. You know, that nasty 7% that keeps the State and City in business...
Today I checked with the City and inquired whether a permit had been issued for the event and whether sales tax was collected. The answer? "The Community and Economic Development Department was not consulted regarding this event but we will look into it with an eye toward next year."
Huh? I still don't know the answer, but I've got a good idea. Reading between the lines (sorry, Arlene), I think the answers were 1) no permit was issued; and 2) no sales tax was collected. But I could be wrong.
This year was the third annual Gallery in the Garden. Shouldn't the City have been asking questions after the first one? After the second one? Questions like 1) Why didn't you contact us before you held this event? and 2) Are you planning to do this next year?
It's not like this was a garage sale, and who cares about sales tax. Anyone who buys pottery or a painting and spends $50-300 expects to pay sales tax. Sales tax won't keep them from buying it (unless you're in Chicago or Cook County and staring at 10% for a sales tax rate!).
The City could even waive the fee for a permit (dangerous territory, I'm sure), because of the nature of the event, good will, economic benefit to the City through sales tax revenues, or
because the Council is packed with nice people. Or for any other reason.
Would sales tax or a permit for the event keep an artist away? Not likely. If it was worried about that, the City could create a class of events, based on frequency, for which a permit would not be required (again, dangerous territory, probably). But the sales tax is not optional. When you are in business, you must collect sales tax.
It could be that each artist just included the sales tax in the selling price and then did the accounting when s/he got home. Could be... Likely? Well, you be the judge.
© 2008 GUS PHILPOTT
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4 comments:
Why weren't you asking questions after the first one?
Gus - Did you notice all the cars parked on Lawndale? Most of them were in the area between the street and the sidewalk (there are no curbs)and I could barely get into Robby M's driveway. The street was packed all afternoon. This is a residential neighborhood and I thought art gallerys were only allowed in the downtown area. We don't need the gals on Lanwdale starting up a art store in our neighborhood. What if its more than 1 time a year ... what if its 2 times or 3 times or 15 times? Shouldn't it be in on the Square or in the Park?
Sure did, Snoozer. In fact, I mentioned that to the City when I inquired about their permit or sales tax arrangements. One resident protected his yard with stakes and a chain.
I wondered whether parking "on" the street, in a traffic lane, is allowed. Unfortunately, I think it is. I took my car home and walked back.
Some of the parkways have been destroyed by parking use; others have been kept in good shape.
The Square would be an ideal place for an art gallery showing.
Why weren't you asking questions before the show? It was well advertised-at least three weeks beforehand. You're giving curmudgeons a bad name. A real curmudgeon would ruin the party before it happened not try to make somebody else the bad guy afterwords.
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