I have been following the news coverage about Helen Burns Sharp in her effort to persuade Chattanooga and Hamilton County elected officials to adopt guidelines when deciding what companies get generous tax benefits and/or large tax breaks as consideration for promoting economic development.
I want to state on the very front end that I understand tax incentives to promote economic development. I approve of tax incentives. I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that if a community is going to be involved in economic and/or community development it simply will not happen without creative tax breaks and/or incentives.
I met Helen Burns Sharp about 30 years ago when she was the planner for Marion County. I was the president of the Marion County Chamber of Commerce and I was heavily involved in economic and community development. In my opinion Helen Sharp has the best understanding of what is required for economic and community development of anyone I have ever known.
Helen understands the importance of grants, water projects, sewer projects, development of road projects, development of river port projects and affordable housing. I believe Helen can see down the road better than anyone I have ever met. Notwithstanding my admiration for Helen, I can say with absolute certainty that Helen and I did not necessarily agree on everything in the world. I can state however that when we disagreed we could discuss things with cordiality every time without exception.
To quote former Whitwell Mayor Max Condra, commenting about Helen he stated, “The cities in Marion County cannot agree on whether the sun is going to come up, however Helen Sharp can at least get them to listen to reason.” I agree with Max.
I can state that after Helen and I debated an issue it was not at all uncommon for me to have a different perspective. I can also state with absolute certainty that when Helen and I discussed a matter and my view prevailed (which didn’t happen often) the disagreement was always handled with class and extreme good will on Helen’s part.
In my opinion public leaders across the country, not to mention taxpayers, want policies to make sure the public really benefits from tax incentives. The amount a company does not pay in taxes reduces revenues which have to be made up somewhere.
Tax breaks should not be given without significant public benefit. Tax breaks should not be indiscriminately passed out to the well-healed and the well-lawyered with no resulting public benefit.
With all of the good publicity Chattanooga has recently received there should not be a widespread perception that tax break decisions are based on cronyism and the fact that the administration simply does not understand the consequences.
In my opinion Helen Burns Sharp should be given an expression of gratitude for having the spine to stand up and point out the obvious.
Very truly yours,
H. Graham Swafford, Jr.