As a business owner of Avalon Spa off the beaten track of Beacon Avenue I find the idea of the BIA (Business Improvement Area) to be ludicrous in my opinion.
Avalon never shows up on a map yet all of a sudden I as property owner will be paying into this BIA.
The coordinators of BIA have never introduced themselves to me, yet the town of Sidney is of the understanding that they have gone to every business, which is a clear indication of deception.
Avalon has social media platforms, web site, yellow pages, etc. already in place bought and paid for. The BIA can not possibly do anything more for me, yet I will be charged for a non service via the town of Sidney.
We already have a Chamber of Commerce, if we so choose to be a member. Choice is the definitive word.
Also, a letter was mailed to commercial property owners only. This letter was mailed at a time when many property owners in February are absent. If the letter was not signed it was assumed that the BIA would be approved. I thought that that was illegal conduct (I could be incorrect) but if I did not sign a cheque then funds would not be forthcoming, hence my reasoning.
Small business owners have no idea that their leases will increase because of the BIA. The letter was mailed via the Town of Sidney using taxpayer dollars for a private operation.
The letter is unethical and disrespectful to small business owners who pay $100 every year to do business within Sidney.
Rosemarie Bongers
Sidney