"You Say Either and I Say Either"

It's becoming a routine. A Common Council initiative is reported in the Register-Star, and Mayor William Hallenbeck talks to John Mason or issues a press release voicing his concerns, reservations, objections to whatever the Common Council is considering. 

Earlier this week, it was First Ward alderman Nick Haddad's suggestion that the Common Council hold its informal meetings at various locations throughout the five wards. Where the legislative body holds its meetings doesn't really seem to be the business of the executive branch of government, but the mayor made it his, dissing the idea and telling Mason, "I would certainly question their motivation." 

Today, it's the occupancy tax proposed by Third Ward alderman John Friedman, to be added to the room rates at hotels, guest houses, and B&Bs in Hudson. Mason reports in the Register-Star on a press release issued by the mayor on the subject: "Mayor questions proposed B&B tax." 

It seems Hallenbeck fears that a 2 to 8 percent tax would make guest rooms in Hudson "unaffordable or less attractive" and intends to research the issue himself. "I will arrange a meeting with the owners/operators of our city-wide B&Bs," Hallenbeck states in his press release, "which will help me in two areas. First, it will help me identify further who they are and who runs them, and secondly and most importantly get their advice on this and any other issue that they have concerns about pertaining to B&B businesses."
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