Vote ‘yes’ on Question One

    National Small Business Week is next week: May 23rd through May 27th! The last few years I’ve tried to make sure we think about all the small business owners in our community this time of the year. So while I’m going to reiterate some statistics about small businesses, I am hoping everyone will take the time this next two weeks to consider what we may all do to help those same small business people.     On June 8th, please vote “Yes” on Question 1. The ballot question is confusing enough. Only a “Yes” vote will repeal the tax reform law. The list of those 100 New Taxes which are proposed are located at http://voteyestoreject.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Vote-YES-to-Reject-100-New-Taxes-4-8.pdf. Car washing, candy taxes, tickets to shows, rides and tours, hired clowns for children’s parties, pet sitting, grooming, house cleaning, tickets to anything, hired bands, DJs, servicing your cars, your guns, your cameras, your office repairs, and all service contracts (even Maine Guides), rental of storage spaces, comedians, and meal preparation, to name just a very few. Please help us spread the word. This is a grassroots effort to reach as many people as possible.
    While we need to celebrate those businesses in our community which are our backbone which we need to keep them in business with our voices speaking to our elected officials, and our votes! Small business accounts for 25.8 million “businesses” in the United States. They create 75 percent of all the new jobs across the country, and collectively represent 99.7 percent of all “employer firms.”
    The Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry has just over 30 loans clients in Caribou: businesses – in business – doing business, paying bills, and paying taxes. Those clients paid just under $193,000 in property taxes to Caribou in 2009. We have just over 230 members, and we believe there are approximately 470 businesses in Caribou: including farmers, hairdressers, “crafters,” and daycare providers (those business people without “storefronts” if you will).
    You can even find out how this bill will affect your family with the Tax Calculator at www.voteyestoreject.com (oh I know, there’s always a website). Finally join us, stop and acknowledge one small business owner for their continuing contribution to our community.
    Wendy Landes, MPA, is the executive director of the Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry. She can be reached in person at 24 Sweden Street, Suite 101; by telephone at 498-6156 or via e-mail at wlandes@cariboumaine.net.