Mayor Kilsheimer responds to the video question

On Saturday The Apopka Voice published an article that asked the question, "Should taxpayer money be used to promote private businesses in Apopka?"

The response online was mixed. Some thought this was a good idea and others thought not. Some were in favor as long as individual businesses were not featured.

On Saturday afternoon Mayor Joe Kilsheimer weighed in on Facebook in response to this post from David Bass on Facebook:

"No doubt a beautiful place but is it even in the city and why would the city promote it? Bass asked. "Especially if it is not in incorporated Apopka and does not pay Apopka taxes. Have we taken care of all of our city obligations to the point that we have extra cash to do filming, production and promotion of venues that don't pay taxes here. This really rubs me the wrong way. Maybe I've got it all wrong."

Mayor Kilsheimer's response:

"David, we have done similar videos on Kings Landing, Long and Scott's farms, and Wekiva Island. (No outcry on those,btw). All are private businesses and all are part of the Apopka community. Each of them draws visitors to the Apopka area, who may or may not shop at Apopka businesses or dine at Apopka restaurants. At the City, we happen to have a singularly talented individual whose full-time job is public information officer. In addition to producing videos for our Facebook page; writing press releases; producing our city's utility newsletter, and responding to media requests, he is assembling an archive of images and videos for future economic development efforts. He posts these as he produces them."

Later in the conversation Mayor Kilsheimer said this:

"David, we've done dozens of videos over the past year promoting a variety of things in and around Apopka. It's all part of a larger body of work that people will see later, especially when we unveil the new website."

David Bass responded:

"Maybe it would be better reserved to a city promotion and the part of it being a business promotion would not be part of the conversation. I am just questioning the wisdom in releasing such a video that has the appearance of promoting a business with tax payer dollars."

Use this link to read the entire exchange.

Earlier today the City of Apopka posted another video. This one features Long & Scott Farms:

Use this link to view the City-produced videos featuring privately-owned businesses.

Obviously there are differences of opinions regarding the use of taxpayer money to produce videos that promote a single business. We support the promotion of specific industries in and around Apopka. Perhaps these videos should not be posted individually since doing so sends a different message.

Also, there should be a published criteria as to how businesses are selected by the City. Right now it appears that the businesses are selected at the discretion of one person, Public Information Officer Robert Sargent. When we asked him about the selection criteria on Friday his response was, “Most anything that I feel makes Apopka great and has public appeal.”

Editor's Note for the owners of Club Lake Plantation, King's Landing, Long & Scott Farms and any other privately-owned business chosen by the City of Apopka to be featured in a City-produced video:

The Apopka Voice's purpose in publishing this information is not intended to disparage your business. Like most Apopkans, we appreciate your efforts to make Apopka a better place to live.

We published these articles to inform the taxpayers of Apopka as to how their tax dollars are being spent and to prompt a discussion on the proper role of government.