May 10, 2023 |
Photo – Saratoga Town Hall – Bigfoot99 file photo
Following a comment made at the last Saratoga Town Council meeting, a councilwoman has offered a clarification about out-of-towners using the community’s public swimming pool.
During last week’s town council meeting, Councilwoman Kathy Beck made a remark that some allegedly found upsetting or insulting to out-of-towners. In her statement about the upcoming season’s pool rates, Councilwoman Beck said the town would take advantage of tourists by charging them more to swim.
Bigfoot99 ran the story about the town’s 2023 pool price schedule last Friday morning. After the story aired, Mayor Chuck Davis said he was contacted by a local business owner who was upset about Councilwoman Beck’s statement. Mayor Davis said while the comment was made in jest, he wanted to be clear that the council does not support discriminating against tourists.
The Mayor and Councilwoman Beck sat down with Bigfoot 99 reporter Matt Copeland earlier this week to discuss the story.
Beck admitted her comment was inappropriate. The councilwoman said to be clear, tourists will not pay more to swim in the town’s pool. Residents will save money with the purchase of season passes and other long-term membership options. Daily rates will be the same regardless of residency.
Long-term visitors, such as snowbirds and outdoor enthusiasts, will save money with the purchase of a season pass, said Councilwoman Beck. Mayor Davis agreed, saying people just passing through town are unlikely to purchase an extended pool ticket. Councilwoman Beck and Mayor Davis agreed that her comment wasn’t meant to discourage travelers from stopping in town.
Councilwoman Beck said she is aware of how important tourism is to local business owners. The councilwoman reiterated that her statement wasn’t an attempt to dissuade out-of-towners from taking advantage of the town’s services. Councilwoman Beck said the pool pricing offered savings for longer use, which tourists would be unlikely to benefit from.
Both Mayor Davis and Councilwoman Beck wanted to reassure citizens that the town council was not hostile in any way to people visiting Saratoga. Councilwoman Beck said her comments were simply to show that seasonal pool passes offer the best savings when compared to daily admission.
