The Gadfly is a series of letters offering commentary on local issues and published in the Warrensburg Gazette.

Dear Editor

A lot of folks involved in public agencies seem to think that the taxpayer is an unlimited source of money. The Circuit Judges want a county-wide sales tax for new courtrooms. The County Commission wants a use tax to pay for paving county roads. The Park Board wants a sales tax to support the "palace" (community center). The R-VI school board already has its blank check. At the federal level, one party wants to spend the so-called surplus. Whose money is it anyway?

The Old Drum Days Fall Festival was last weekend. A couple came down from Lee's Summit Saturday expecting something dog-related at a festival named for Old Drum. After visiting the car show, getting a phone book at the GWACC&VC (Greater Warrensburg Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center) booth, and wandering past the rest of the booths, they said "Is that all there is?"

"Aunt Ida" said that she, too, was disappointed; she didn't think there were as many craft booths as she remembers from the past. One of the food vendors told her that other owners of travelling food booths were going to Higginsville where the booths were cheaper. She thinks that having booths on both sides of the street, like Holden's Fall Fiesta has and Warrensburg used to have, makes everything feel "homier."

Speaking of Old Drum Days, I read that "the new tourism tax has been a boost for funds needed to promote such activities." I'd be very interested in seeing a full public accounting of the funds collected and used so far. I'd also be interested in seeing some statistics as to how the expenditures from the room tax have helped create room-nights at the motels & B&Bs who must collect it. This tax, which passed by only 44 votes, extracts money from non-residents to be used solely for the promotion of local tourism.