[Regarding “‘Invest Back Into Our Community’: Local Leaders Call for TDA to Reduce Its Tourism Marketing Budget,” Nov. 22, Asheville Watchdog via Xpress:]
I fully support the Tourism Development Authority budget being changed so that half of its current earnings serve to offset the negative impacts of tourism, funding first responders and upgrades to city services.
— Melody LeBaron
Weaverville
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We don’t get to say how much TDA money is spent on expanding tourism. The state legislature determines that.
TDA does not see a downside to tourism…we know that, or else they would have been more rational with their peer pressured stupidity in not taking care of the foundation before building the first story. “First pants, then shoes,” brainos.