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stated~tAat because of the tax, sales may go down, resulting in a reduction <br /> in cost of operations. He continued, saying that this will cause a reduction <br /> in employment; the marginally employed people being the first to go. He <br /> stated that it is wrong for the City to force its citizens to pay for the <br /> project. <br /> <br /> Rudolph Beverly, representing the U. Va. Student Council, addressed <br /> Council, speaking in opposition to the meals tax. He stated that eating <br /> out for students is not discretionary, but a necessity. He stated that he <br /> is aware and concerned about the City's budgetary constraints, but the <br /> students will not gain any benefits from the Vinegar Hill project. He also <br /> stated.that the Student Council has discussed the possibility of boycotting <br /> local restaurants and asked Council to take their concerns into consideration. <br /> <br /> Bill Dodd, Manager of the Dutch Pantry on Emmet Street, stated that the <br /> restaurant business is i.n a deflated economy situation. He stated that his <br /> sales are down 14% from last year. He said that the meals tax is an unfair <br /> burden on one isolated portion of the business communitY; He stated that <br /> much of the restaurant business is local, not from tourists and not from <br /> students. He stated that when a person is single, it is much cheaper to go <br /> out and eat than to eat at home. He asked the City to look at a different <br /> way of financing the Vinegar Hill project. He stated that since the County <br /> will benefit from the project, it sh'ould be a'sked to assist in the financing. <br /> <br /> Hunter Carter of Carrollton Terrace, addressed Council, stating his <br /> opposition to the proposed meal's tax. He stated that the tax is extremely <br /> unfair to the students, who frequently eat out. He 'stated that the project <br /> will not benefit students, the elderly or minorities. He expressed concerns <br /> of proceeding with the tax, while there is still uncertainty of proceeding <br /> with the Vinegar. Hill project. <br /> <br /> A1 Paige of 806 Page Street, expressed his concerns about the proposed <br /> <br /> 3% meals tax. He stated th'at he is a 'single citizen:._ an~ frequents restaurants <br /> often. He seated that this tax penalizes him for his economic decision to <br /> buy prepared food as opposed to nonprepared food. <br /> <br /> David Toscano, representing the Citizens Party, spoke firmly in opposition <br />to the proposed meals tax. He suggested placing a tax on those citizens <br />most able to pay, taxing only those meals costing $7 $8. He also pointed <br />out the necessity for Council to define "meals.'~ <br /> <br /> Roger Wiley responded to Mr. Toscano's question about the definition <br /> <br />of "meals," saying that it me'ans any prepared food served in a restaurant <br />according to this ordinance. <br /> <br /> Kerry Horton of christian's asked Council if foods prepared by the A & P <br />or Krogers will be taxable. <br /> <br /> Roger Wiley replied, stating that food from Kroger's restaurant would <br /> <br />be taxed. <br /> <br /> Ms. Horton asked if a sandwich from the A & P would be under the same <br />classification. <br /> <br /> Mr. Wiley stated that in a general grocery store, food is not taxed, <br /> <br />only prepared food. He stated that the City has the legal authority to <br /> <br />impose a tax on restaurant meals, not grocery store foo~. <br /> <br /> Jim Mankie of the Japanese Steak HoUse, which is located in Albemarle <br />County, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Restaurant <br /> <br /> <br />