Here is a report I just got from Stacy Roth regarding a possible threat to one of our favorite reenacting venues: Old Bedford Village. It sounds like some overzealous local official saw an opportunity to make a quick buck, even if it runs the Village into the ground. Guess the geniuses in the tax office never read the story about killing the goose that laid the golden egg. You can find the original article below on Philly.com:
Pa. county puts living history museum on tax rolls
OBV obviously is an asset to a small town like Bedford. According to the article, “Last year, about 25,000 visitors toured Old Bedford Village in Bedford County…”
Also, “Museum executive director Roger Kirwin estimates visitors spend about $2 million annually in the county. He says if he has to pay the $18,000 in local taxes he will not be able to balance the budget. He fears the recession will also keep people away. He says he will appeal the decision to the county commissioners.
Bedford’s chief assessor Melissa Stultz says the museum is in an area that was exempt from some taxes for 10 years and that time has expired.”
Makes you wonder just how long the tax office has been licking its chops for a chance to rake money out of the Village. Hopefully, Roger can get support from the business community in Bedford. They have a lot to lose here.
Without OBV, Bedford is just another reststop on the turnpike. If it closes, I would never have a reason to go there again and I imagine that is true for a lot of people. Stay tuned for further developments.
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