Taxes should be paid

Dear Editor:

Last week Janell Davis of Berkeley Springs wrote a letter to the Editor concerning the Country Inn. Ms. Davis wanted to know why The Morgan Messenger and the Town of Bath slam the Country Inn every chance they get. I would like to address this issue.

The Morgan Messenger contains articles of interest, good news and bad. These articles help keep our residents informed concerning issues taking place in Morgan and surrounding counties.

It is true, The Morgan Messenger has reported the amount of taxes collected by the Country Inn and the amount of payment still outstanding to the Town of Bath. It is also true that The Morgan Messenger has listed other businesses that owe back taxes and where they stand on their payments to the Town of Bath. The Morgan Messenger did not single out or slam the Country Inn concerning taxes due. Rather, The Morgan Messenger informed our residents where the tax issue stands.

Ms. Janell Davis needs to understand that a portion of those taxes still outstanding by the Country Inn were to be used for the advertisement of all businesses in Berkeley Springs and the Town of Bath. Advertisements help bring in the tourist that are crucial for all businesses, including the Country Inn, to survive.
Ms. Davis must also realize that when the tourist season is over all businesses suffer, not just the Country Inn. Our residents do their best to support local businesses.

I would hope the Country Inn will do everything in its power to bring the tax issue to an end. Taxes that are due the Town of Bath should be paid.

David Spangenberger
Berkeley Springs