This may already be crystal clear, but the TDA just doesn’t get it.
Last fall, we ran a four-part series of stories about the spending habits of the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority, which has a $40 million budget derived from a 6 percent occupancy tax on hotels, bed and breakfast inns, and vacation rentals. The headline of the second part gave a pretty good indication of what they spend on: “Tourism tax money buys massages, $250 shirts, dinners costing thousands.”
And those denim shirts were kind of ugly, in my humble opinion.
So one might think the TDA — which has been copiously lambasted from many corners, especially those finding it difficult to actually afford to live here — might have gone low-key for a while.
Instead, in early December they threw a retirement party — at the Biltmore Estate — for longtime employee Marla Tamebellini, who’d worked at Explore Asheville, a TDA subsidiary, for 29 years.
The price tag? $16,894.09.
To be fair, Tambellini worked at Explore Asheville for many years and did a lot of good work. Ashley Greenstein, spokesperson for the TDA, sent me a long list of Tambellni’s accomplishments and noted the party expense breaks down to $582.55 for every year of Tambellini’s service.
On a personal note, I’ve always liked Marla and found her to be professional and helpful, and she has a great sense of humor.
A $1,350 ‘cheese presentation’?
But I got a reader question about this party, and it piqued my interest, so I had business to conduct. I first sent a request to Greenstein for information about the party, which took place on Dec. 11, on Dec. 13. No reply. I sent a reminder Jan. 26. No reply.
On Feb. 9, I sent a formal request for the information, under North Carolina’s open records law, to both Greenstein and Buncombe County spokesperson Lillian Govus. The county has financial oversight over the TDA, and the authority has to send receipts and other records to it.
That did the trick, and the documents arrived Feb. 16. As always, they are fun to go through, from a journalism standpoint.
For instance, did you know a “cheese presentation” to serve 75 costs $1,350 at Biltmore’s Lioncrest veranda venue? Or that a “mini dessert display” for 65 comes in at $1,690?
Also, the coffee bill was close to 600 bucks, which kind of surprised me. That did include both regular and decaf, I’ll note.
The appetizer menu looked pretty swanky, with “smoked feta, NC honey, oven dried tomato and cucumber” at $350 for 50 people, and a “smoked salmon mousse, pumpernickel, chive, grain mustard” for 75 coming in at $525. The wine and beer bill totaled $5,451, with tax and a service charge.
For the record, because I know readers will point this out, the Biltmore Estate’s vice president of communications, Kathleen Mosher, is a TDA board member and was formerly the chair. Some may see this as a conflict of interest, or at least an example of some exchanged back scratching.
Mosher told me via email that’s not the case.
“Prior to her work at Explore Asheville, Marla was a valued employee at Biltmore and the estate was an important chapter in her career,” Mosher said. “The selection of this location was based on her history there. Bill Cecil honored her employment with us by speaking at her reception.”
Cecil is president and CEO of the Biltmore Estate.
The documents I received included emails to and from the TDA and Biltmore Estate employees, and one email, from Oct. 4, mentions a discount on the facility setup fee and the food and beverage minimums.
Greenstein also noted that Tambellini, who retired as a senior vice president, worked in public relations for Biltmore for nearly four years and has been an Asheville resident since 1990, so the venue makes sense in that regard.
But here’s what the TDA still seems unable to recognize: How many longtime employees in Buncombe County do you think rate a $17,000 retirement party? With a $1,350 “cheese presentation.”
I mean, was the cheese presented by supermodels?
As most of you know, I toiled at the Asheville Citizen Times for 27 years, so I saw a lot of retirement parties. Actually, I saw more layoff “wakes,” as we used to call them, than retirement parties.
But back in the day when we did have an employee who made it to a dignified retirement, the paper would throw a little soiree, always in-house, with some food and non-alcoholic drink. We used to joke that if the paper really liked you, you might rate a meat tray.
“Oooh, Carol Currie rated cold cuts!” someone said when that esteemed features writer retired.
I’m not kidding. I imagine a lot of other companies do the same around here — a nice function, probably on-site, or maybe lunch at a restaurant, to let the employee know they’re appreciated, probably with a small gift of some kind.
‘For many people in this city, it will look incredibly extravagant’
So this high-end affair looks a little, well … let’s let State Sen. Julie Mayfield describe it.
“For many people in this city, it will look incredibly extravagant, and I understand that,” said Mayfield, D-Buncombe. “I think it is a little tone deaf. There were probably ways to honor Marla that would have been equally special and less costly.”
Mayfield also said it’s clear the TDA recognized “the value Marla brought to that organization and to this city for years and years.”
For her part, Tambellini told me via text, “As you must realize, I did not plan my own retirement party. I was honored and humbled by the celebration of my nearly 30-year career.”
An email from Explore Asheville employee Jennifer Kass-Green to Mosher in September states, “We’re beginning to plan for Marla’s retirement party and her #1 choice of venue is Biltmore (Lioncrest, if possible).” So Tambellini may not have planned the event, but it looks like she had a preference for the venue.
“I was asked about several potential venues by staff planning the event and I said Biltmore would be meaningful since I worked there for four years before transitioning to the CVB,” Tambellini said. “I did not make any decisions however. “
I should note that Mayfield got an invite to the party but couldn’t attend. I’ll also note that Mayfield has worked extensively on the state legislation that sets the formula for how the TDA uses its funding.
In 2022, the General Assembly approved a change in the formula from 75 percent going to marketing and promotions and 25 percent to local projects that can boost tourism and benefit locals, to a two-thirds, one-third breakdown. The legislation also created the Legacy Investment From Tourism (LIFT) fund, which provides financial investment from the TDA to tourism-related capital projects that “will increase patronage of lodging facilities and benefit the community at large in Buncombe County,” according to the TDA’s web page.
The TDA also still has the Tourism Product Development Fund, which has provided more than $86 million for 61 investments in 40 community projects since 2001, according to the TDA. Those have ranged from ballfields to local theater improvements.
So clearly, TDA funding benefits a lot of local projects, and all those tourists keep a lot of businesses going around here. But the problem is, the TDA has to spend the money it brings in, and that pot just keeps growing and growing, with no end in sight, as more hotels keep going up that will generate more occupancy taxes.
What Mayfield would like to see, along with a lot of folks in the community, is some of those TDA funds going toward affordable housing for hospitality workers, who often struggle to get by in this town. Mayfield is open to further tweaks of the occupancy tax legislation, which is specific to the Buncombe TDA, so it’s possible, or easier — depending on how you interpret the language that created the LIFT fund — to fund affordable housing.
“If they (the TDA) don’t clearly fund affordable housing, then I will introduce something to change it,” Mayfield said, noting that she made a similar comment at a recent Chamber of Commerce gathering. “If the LIFT fund committee and the board interpret the statute to allow the TDA and the LIFT fund to fund affordable housing, if they set that precedent, then there’s no need for me to do anything on that issue.”
That might be a tall order, as the language regarding what LIFT can fund seems to preclude spending on affordable housing. But we shall see.
Meantime, maybe the TDA can rein in the fancy parties, just a tad?
Asheville Watchdog is a nonprofit news team producing stories that matter to Asheville and Buncombe County. John Boyle has been covering Asheville and surrounding communities since the 20th century. You can reach him at (828) 337-0941, or via email at jboyle@avlwatchdog.org. The Watchdog’s reporting is made possible by donations from the community. To show your support for this vital public service please visit avlwatchdog.org/donate.
This isn’t journalism. This is pure pettiness on the part of John Boyle. Is it investigative journalism to find out how much a cheese plate cost on a catering menu?
He, and Watchdog, still can’t come to a level of transparency in reporting to share with their readership that the shirts TDA paid for as uniforms were custom made by locally-owned Twin Denim, the same company that makes aprons for independent restaurants here in town. This tidbit was shared with attendees at their recent Year Ahead event. Whether he thinks they are ugly is irrelevant. Would he rather them represent Asheville in GAP shirts?
And what seems out of touch is that elected officials don’t understand what things cost in their own jurisdictions.
Nothing to see here.
Those shirts were ugly! You’d have to pay me $250 to wear one, and I wouldn’t wear it in public.
To each their own. Tell that to the locally owned designer who was able to pay their rent because of the TDA purchase. https://www.instagram.com/twindenimco/
I’m sure there were other local businesses that could have put them in shirts for way less than $250. How many $250 shirts do you own? I think you are missing the point here. The point is the misappropriation or misuse of funds not the fact they were designed by someone local. There are hospitality employees leaving town at a rapid rate because they cannot afford to live here but TDA is wearing a $250 “uniform” shirt and throwing lavish parties.
It sounds like we have an angry TDA employee here. Or do you work for Biltmore?
Actually no. I’m a resident who knows what things cost. I choose to do my own research instead of being spoonfed someone’s opinion as John is clearly doing here.
Do you know that the party cost more than many service workers in Asheville make in a year?
According to BLS data, Buncombe County leisure and hospitality jobs made an avg of $37.4k, including full and part time jobs, including fast food jobs. That’s higher than the NC average. Many of these are part time jobs for younger residents. Indeed, there are some struggling to earn living wages and there are other front line workers making six figures in the industry. What’s disappointing is this outlet and reporter chose to cover tourism unlike any other industry or subject, suppressing or omitting information intentionally and making it personal, instead of fostering a more reasonable conversation our community could benefit from. Based on this comments section, mission accomplished.
Seriously? Perception is reality, Angie. And in the current “cost of living vs average salary” environment in Asheville, this kind of story simply exposes the continuing lack of understanding by the publicly-funded powers that be of the impact of their behavior. They need to see and feel the reaction to what the taxpayers need to know.
Au contraire. I think it is good journalism to explain just how that lavish party got so lavish, at other people’s expense. Back in the 60s, the St. Petersburg Times exposed lavish spending and insider-dealing at the Florida Turnpike Authority. Looking at its vouchers, the reporters found one for a $30 dinner for two. That was a lot of money then. So, with the newspaper’s money, two reporters went to the same restaurant and tried to spend $30. To get that much, they had to buy the glasses their post-dinner brandy came in. The Pulitzer committee must have thought that was a fine idea, since the series won the award for public service. In my opinion, the TDA is a rogue organization that is ruining Asheville with too many tourists and too many confounded hotels. It needs to be reined in, and I think taking some of its loot to subsidize housing for the people who can’t afford to live here while they feed and water the tourists and clean up after them is an excellent idea.
Martin, you seem to relish your time in Pinellas County and look down your nose at much of what happens in WNC. Weren’t you a tourist here before you came to reside in Buncombe County? Compare the 9k hotel rooms here to the 48K plus in Hillsborough + Pinellas…
As a longtime BC resident, I’d rather have the good that tourism brings, even if that does include you.
What good, pray tell, does such massive tourism bring to Asheville, other than extreme traffic, wear and tear to an already aged infrastructure and nuisance to locals?
Since you asked:
$3 billion of spending in local businesses, which is 20% of Buncombe County total economy.
Nearly $1 billion in wages for local residents.
20% of county and city tax revenues that fund public services.
Get rid of tourism and tourism promotion and take a look at tax coffers and unemployment in 18-24 months and you’ll see a whole other problem.
Hi James, I’m interested that BLS data says the ‘average’ salary for leisure/hospitality jobs is $37K. That is nowhere near what my friends in industry are making. Perhaps the median would be a better indicator?
Lol. Mad TDA employee afraid fat salary or big perks might be taken away. Why not just say, “Let them eat cake!” Time for Buncome County to lower the occupancy rate and reduce their fat budget. How tone deaf can one group be?
I disagree. This piece sheds light on the ridiculous practices of TDA and how totally out of touch they are. Think of how many trees or landscaping improvements could have been made with that much money. It’s not hard to find ways that $17K would have been better spent. No one needs a $17K retirement party. No one.
I don’t agree that there is “nothing to see here.” That comment speaks volumes to exactly the dissonance of what there is to see.
TBF the headline states ‘opinion’. It’s widely known that an opinion column is just that, opinion. When David Brooks writes an opinion column for the NY Times it’s his opinion not a report. Also journalism can be both opinion pieces and reporting.
Did you notice that this is an Opinion column? It is clearly labeled as such in the headline. As it is an opinion column, your comments about his *opinion* being irrelevant are off the mark.
Time for BC commissioners to lower the occupancy tax and let these fat cats pay for their own extravagant parties.
If this were the first instance of the TDA being extravagant in their self-dealing it would perhaps escape notice as an anomaly. It is another in a long line of these people appearing to think that they are above noticing that they are not all that special. Asheville is not Atlanta or Chicago or NYC. While the people who serve the Tourists that they bring here are struggling to afford a roof over their heads, these elites are spending over $16k on cheese! Please, Angie. There is plenty to see here.
Uh — it is an opinion piece (as clearly stated) and it is as “journalistic” as any investigated reporting would have been.
Personally, I would hate to attend any “party” that did not include steak and potatoes, so what do I know?
It seems like a reasonable investigation into the use of funds that are meant to benefit residents and tourists alike. $250 shirts, regardless of who made them, and a $17,000 retirement party do not seem like a wise use of tax dollars, regardless of whether those taxes were paid by tourists or residents. I appreciate the insights provided by Asheville Watchdog.
how much did city council’s two day retreat cost last week?…$20k just for the facilitator https://www.bpr.org/bpr-news/2024-02-23/5-takeaways-from-the-asheville-city-council-retreat
It’s the way our city, state and county are run. Penny-wise and pound foolish. The constant waste and lack of foresight astounds me. The numbers from such extravagance are even more infuriating when you consider Opportunity Costs.
Here’s an example. Invest that $582 yearly for 29 years in my Vanguard Roth IRA @ 12% (below my average yearly return). The total? $138,205.00. How much of our future are we squandering? What will future citizens think of how they got sold down the river?
The TDA is an independently run public authority created by the state legislation. It is neither city or county run. The tax dollars invested by the TDA are occupancy tax dollars paid by visitors that stay in Buncombe County hotels, vacation rentals or B&Bs. We as city/county residents don’t pay a dime into the TDA, unless of course you are staying in a hotel/vacation rental/b&b. Travel & tourism generate 20% of Buncombe County GDP and 20% of City and County tax revenues – so they pay their fair share. We need City and County to manage their budgets better on behalf of us residents.
There are strict rules in how tax dollars can be invested, and your Roth IRA is not one of them. But good returns for you!
Ahhh, James, but we do pay because it is our taxes that are raised to make repairs to infrastructure overused by tourists, our taxes that pay the police to spend more time downtown and ignore neighborhood crime under $1000 because they are stretched so thin. It is restaurants and events we can no longer afford because tourism has driven up the prices and that we may not get into because they are so crowded. The lobbying in Raleigh keeps the tax benefit to Asheville at 33% and most of that is used to beautify and create more venues for more tourists, not Ashevilleians.
With respect to your last comment that the TDA Product Development Fund supports projects which “beautify and create more venue for more tourists, not Ashevilleians”, I think if you look at the list of funded projects over the years you will see that these venues benefit both residents and tourists alike. This is not by mistake as the TDA wants to support projects that benefit both visitors and residents. The list of funded projects can be found here https://www.ashevillecvb.com/wp-content/uploads/TPDF-Investment-Summary-9.7.23.pdf
How obscene and corrupt. Thank you for yet another eye opening piece of journalism. IDK what citizens need to do to stop the local elite from living the rich life while we suffer, but whatever it is, we need to reign these crooks in.
The TDA must have bought the cheese at Fresh Market rather than Sam’s. $1,350 at the former might get you two wheels of brie and one block of 12-month-old Manchego. 🙂 Kidding aside, if this was the bill for the party for a longtime employee, I can’t wait to see what they spend on the eventual retirement party for the director. “Tone deaf” is a kind description; I could think of far worse.
I really appreciate this article. The TDA demonstrates over and over that it needs oversight. This “party” was an egregious display of how easy it is to spend other people’s money. I’m not shocked but I am weary of their lack of common-sense. This is just Wayne LaPierre slightly downsized.
I hope the Tourism Development Authority is paying a living wage to all staff members.
They’re not. Per previous reporting, more than half the staff makes $45-65k. Not quite live able in our city, with the highest cost of living in the state.
Tourism is the root cause of our housing woes, so I wish they earned even less…non-essential…
How is tourism the root cause of our housing woes? Tourists don’t stay here, they stay in hotels. The lack of available housing stock is the cause of our housing woes.
It is a fact that tourism growth has led to the conversion of thousands of long-term affordable rentals into STRs in Buncombe County. If they were all converted back, we would have a large percentage of the necessary housing stock. The constantly expanding tourism marketing suggests that this isn’t likely to happen, that we’re possibly in a doom loop. It’s somewhat comical to hear tourism-industry workers lament the lack of affordable housing while ignoring and often refuting the facts of what the tourism industry has done to the local housing market. I own a long-term affordable rental that I will never allow a tourism worker to inhabit unless they step up and buy it themselves…and so perhaps the TDA could begin a low-interest home loan program to help their own people rather than throwing lavish parties and spending millions on junkets and tennis banners.
John – you close with “maybe the TDA can rein in the fancy parties, just a tad”, so I’m curious, just what do you think the appropriate amount should be for a senior member of a staff that’s been with the company for nearly 30 years? $15K?, $10K, $5K, $50$, charge admission? You focused on a cheese presentation for $1,350 for 75 people which works out to $18/person. Have you seen the price of a small cheese board appetizer at a restaurant lately? And no, those appetizers aren’t served by supermodels either.
I have had the pleasure to know and work with Marla since I came to town in 1997 and as you note she has always been “professional and helpful, [with] a great sense of humor”. On this, I couldn’t agree more.
And yes – you bring up the $250 denim shirts, which I have seen and feel they function very well for their intended purpose as uniforms for trade shows. Could they have been purchased for less by ordering them from some company overseas? Most likely – but instead the TDA commissioned them from a local creative and her business, helping support the creative economy we enjoy in this area and keeping the money local. It is my understanding the Watchdog was very well aware of this support for a local creative, rather than buying from outside the community, but decided not to include that in any prior coverage. Without context costs can seem out of line – but with full context, they can seem very reasonable.
As a disclaimer, I was invited to this retirement party but was not able to attend due to a schedule conflict.
I appreciate the additional insights here, you make some good points, and I agree that we should buy local, but come on, $17K is still too much for a retirement party. It just is. My sense is that some folks get so used to running in certain circles where expensive taste is the norm that they forget how it might appear to most people who can’t remember the last time they had a cheese plate, let alone one that wasn’t from Ingles or Publix.
John, it’s a red herring to pursue the “appropriate amount” of a retirement party for a valuable employee of 29 years. “Appropriate” would depend on any number of factors, wouldn’t it? No one would confuse the “appropriate” party for the retiring founder a billion dollar hedge fund with the retirement of a beloved 3rd grade teacher. I take John Boyle’s real point to be not only the “tone deafness” of the TDA, but also the scads of cash that they have. For them, yes, $17K is an appropriate retirement party, clearly. I haven’t retired yet, but last year UNCA marked my 20 years of employment with…a coffee mug. From the bookstore. And in our fiscal situation, that’s appropriate. (I probably should wash it and take it back, come to think of it.)
There’s also a painful irony to the TDA’s cash pile, in that the process by which they’ve gained it has contributed to the increasing unlivability of Asheville for so many folks. Sure, they’ve done their job well and are richly rewarded for it; and some benefit directly from their success, including the makers of those $250 shirts and breweries and restaurants and AirBnb owners. But only a few feel that the benefits of Asheville have risen in parallel with the costs of living.
That’s the underlying tension of a $17K retirement party for a TDA employee–even a wonderful, long-serving employee–in Asheville at this moment. As an invitee to the party, you may not feel that tension, and if not, congratulations. But you are in the minority, my friend, and we all need more empathy to the circumstances of those who are NOT like us. And that includes me.
Seriously John??? I worked 30 years at a very large, global, publicly owned corporation. Rose to VP level, and thoroughly enjoyed my small retirement party at the end of my last day of work with the CEO and three co-workers. Total cost: $30 for five beers. Great stories and comraderie. When my Head of Marketing retired the year earlier we got together at a local watering hole and each paid for our own drinks. If a company with tens of thousands of employees blew $17K on retirement parties for every 30 year employee they wouldn’t stay in business long. Most successful companies watch their expenses a LOT more closely than the BCTDA seems to. And $250 shirts wouldn’t make the cut in the real world either.
This conundrum actually seems pretty simple. T.D.A. Tourist Development Authority. Somebody will have to explain to me how a retirement party helps develop tourism in Asheville. TDA. If the money spent doesn’t promote tourism then it’s inappropriately, and darned near illegally, spent. The “illegal” part really depends upon the TDA Mission Statement. While it’s sad to have to spend your own money on a party, people all over America are doing it.
What a “cheesy” and sleazy way to “eat high on the hog” while throwing scraps to us “groundlings.”
I agree this is an absurd amount of money to spend on a retirement party but as John says the TDA is tone deaf. I recently retired after 32 years and felt fortunate to receive an afternoon reception with charcuterie and dessert trays from either Ingles or Sams Club. I’m sure the budget couldn’t have been more than $300.
I’m sure it hurts many people’s feelings to see this in print. But if you don’t want to see this kind of reporting, don’t engage in this kind of behavior. It is not your money.
When people at each of the three places I worked retired, we rented a place and it was catered. But those of us who attended, other than the retiree, footed the bill.
Why not honor the TDA retiree by using the money to fix one of our potholed roads (probably caused by overuse by tourists) with a sign on the road in her honor and use one of our many local more reasonably priced venues?
So now make the spending percentages 65% and 35% because of this tone deaf party. Every time they spend like it’s their money, increase the community share by 10%. Kick them in the financial hoo haw. Entitled idiots.
More wasted taxpayer dollars by the corrupt incompetent city government
Well, no, it’s not “taxpayer dollars” and it wasn’t spent by the city government. It’s fine to make a comment, but do try to get your facts straight.
The TDA isn’t a part of the city government. The city government has basically no sway over the TDA. It was forced upon us by the state legislature. Please at least blame the right entities for their wasteful and ill-conceived spending.
You bring up a good point. I wonder if the TDA has ever approached the state legislature and said, “We’ve become a lean and mean machine. We can achieve the same or better results with less money. We suggest a 50/50 split, with a greater percentage going to infrastructure, law enforcement salaries and low interest home loans for first-time home buyers who are essential workers in our area…” It’s just a non-confrontation question. I’d be curious to know who (if anyone) within the TDA has ever advocated for exploring such a compromise.
It just doesn’t look “incredibly extravagant ” , it IS incredibly extravagant. Can TDA not be reigned in or will they continue to spend on useless projects?
retire the tda. they’ve caused enough harm.
Agree 100%.
Grateful to not live in Buncombe County; and a question or two for the taxpayers and newsies who do.
1 – where in the state constitution and or county/city charters does it authorize the existence of the TDA? How many decades did tourists find their way to the mountains without the TDA?
2 – with the overwhelming housing shortage and cost of living not going down in western NC (and the state and federal DOT’s lack of ability to finish any road projects in the area) — why do we even need to advertise Asheville in the first place these days?
3 — why is there even a TDA when there are multiple chambers of commerce in each of the region’s counties? Each of whom have their websites that do a nice job of promoting each of their local tourist areas.
Common sense and basic financial responsibility should indicate that the TDA’s monies could be put into something like the public school system and or public safety recruiting and retention.
Lose the moniker of “Trashville” and the tourists will find their way by word of mouth. https://avlwatchdog.org/year-in-review-the-story-behind-the-watchdogs-12-part-down-town-series/
It is a shame that her party has turned into a circus; however, I do have some questions that do not look like they were addressed.
Before that, I would like to say, of course she knew there was no way she was not included to a certain degree. So, I would assume she had several opportunities to make sure it was not an overboard extravaganza. Those occasions should be reserved to raise funds, community awareness functions etc.
1. How many people were in attendance? I see a breakdown for some items and the highest number is for 75. That would be $225/person. Of course you do not cater cheese for everyone. So how many employees do they have? Just guessing 12 board members, 35 employees, and 20 special guests adds up to 67. Which of course you multiply by 2, brings it to 134 in attendance. That lowers it to $134pp. Still pretty high, double in my opinion, but perhaps they had more people.
2. If they did have more people, why? It is a retirement party. Thats not quite how a retirement party works.
3. Did those funds include gifts or is that on another budget line? A company gift is always lovely, but I should hope that the majority of gifts came directly from the pockets of the fellow employees.
4. Did they lump the party together with a holiday party or an overall recognition affair for clients, programs etc? But since they haven’t noted that from the article, I am thinking not.
5. My biggest question is regarding the funds themselves. If they did not spend that money by year end, did they lose it. And would having those funds unused at the end of the fiscal year (assuming the year ends in December) cause their budget for the next fiscal year to decrease.
With the current state of affairs all around, I do find it hard to justify 100%. And as the owner of a 501c3 educational nonprofit, who spends quite a bit of my own personal money out of love for our communities, it is hard to see sometimes. It is often hard for us small business owners let alone nonprofit owners to find time to seek donors and sponsors. We are often the only employee from cleaning toilets to helping those in need, we do it all. A fraction of those funds would make such a difference in what we can accomplish in our communities. Maybe next time, have surprise donations to several overlooked organizations from unused funds (again if that was the case). Even $100 can help so much to many.
And remember try to be kind especially when no has all the information right now. There is always one side, the other side and the truth. And truth be told, if there was indeed a lesson to learn, I am sure it has been learned.
The hospitality largesse of TDA reminds me of when I used to work at a large grant making foundation!
When I tried to get on this board when running a hotel they acted like I was stupid , I had more ability and common sense than most and new things that the dollars could go for but did not fit there uppity attitude ,they need accountability
Could this be a “good Ole boy deal” between Biltmore and the TDA who are just using this retirement party as an excuse for their back scratching.
Sad to see such a tone-deaf choice for the amount spent. No issue that it was at the Biltmore, but the funds spent are simply INAPPROPRIATE to a public service arm of our government.
I feel the “elephant in this living room”, inferred at the end of John’s expose’, is that we actually don’t NEED a TDA- we have become a magnet for tourism and are succeeding now beyond our belief!
Further, the occupancy tax should be reduced or better yet, eliminated, unless ALL funds are used for our community’s needs. Further, TDA board members should be county employees on county pay scale, as are everyone else working for the good of the county.
This is legalized “scratch each others’ backs” corruption both in the amounts of funds available for such parties and for bloated salaries of board members and employees.
The US Open spending frenzy really hurt their image; appalling optics continue with this.
End of my soapbox.
That is actually a pretty darn good price on the cheese board presentation and the other food choices that were made to serve 75 people at such a nice event at a Biltmore property. My issue is the cost of the booze. Did I read that the total wine and beer bill was over $5400? Yikes! There should have been a 1 alcoholic beverage limit per person and then guests could feel free to self pay for extra booze and tip the servers well. That is the only issue I have with the party expense. The retirement party needed to be at a nice upscale prime tourist spot and I’m sure there was a lot of shop talk and connecting at the event to justify the work expense. The TDA has done and is doing a lot of good work. I do wish they would tune in more to the immediate needs of the city though…..yes, affordable housing please and is there a program for helping with land conservation costs and creating more green spaces/parks. Hopefully more specific legislation (instead of just talking about it) will direct them to make changes that disperse that 6% occupancy tax fairly amongst ALL Asheville residents that are being priced out of any kind of affordable living. Until the rules, regulations, guidelines, and climate of TDA change, the TDA can continue to do as they do.
It seems that some people got their feelings hurt in this article in the way the facts were shared. Hopefully they will notice that John Boyle dispenses his snark/sense of humor evenly in all of his articles. I have to go find a photo of those denim shirts now.
Loved the article! I have never understood the need for the TDA! We would entice tourists easily without them. Wouldn’t the hotel tax money be better spent on ensuring the cleanliness and safety of the city and affordable housing for those people working in the hotel and service industry that accommodate those who choose to visit? This, in turn, would be a benefit to all who reside in our fair city and the surrounding area.
My wife just celebrated her 35 yr. anniversary at her job. No one seemed to notice.
The county commission can eliminate the 6% tax that funds the TDA. That would get their attention.
Disappointing to know that they aren’t listening to the community regarding the concern of their spending. I would call it selfish. Nothing against the person retiring, but 16k probably wasn’t called for.
It’s interesting that noone suggests that the tax be lowered.
Let them eat cake!!
Shame on you all TDA. Please get rid of this agency and many more.
I retired from State Government. Those few retirement parties that I attended were paid for out of the employees pockets. By time I retired, we were not even allowed to go to lunch to celebrate a retirement unless it was close to the office and we were back in 1 hour. If this is the example set by state government, county government should follow it and vice versa.
I retired from Government also…not even a card. But yet TDA spends that kind of money, that alot of folks don’t even earn on 1 year… they need a dose of reality.
Simply said, this retirement party cost is offensive and totally over the top! I have many family and friends who work and have retired from Buncombe County Schools that make a lifetime impact on our youth with ridiculous low pay. Never, ever did a single one of them have such a lavish event thanking them for their service! TDA should be soooo ashamed of themselves. What a joke.
Instead of praising the TDA for all the wonderful projects that it has launched in the community, like the Black Cultural Heritage Trail, or for supporting local businesses, like Twin Denim, you decide to cast an ugly footnote on the spectacular career of Marla, who served this community faithfully for decades. Perhaps you would be more suited for The Inquirer. This isn’t journalism. You sound disgruntled.
I don’t think disgruntled…just truthful of excessive spending ,that could be used to actually benefit buncombe county.
I personally think it’s completely appropriate to spend that kind of money on a VP that has helped garner a tremendous amount of resources for this community. The TDPF, which comes directly from the occupancy tax from the tourists that visit and stay in our hotels, has supported many community projects; the LEAF Global Arts Center, Black Mountain College Museum +, YMI Cultural Center, and Center for Craft to name a mere fraction.
It seems people don’t realize that if you live in a town supported greatly by tourism, you have to invest in tourism.
Borrrrring. Parties cost money, journalists gin up petty conflict for page views, self-righteous people comment angrily about how they feel victimized by capitalism. The TDA didn’t do anything wrong. The employee didn’t either. We can all agree that college football coaches shouldn’t be the highest paid public employees in almost every state, and that Warren Buffett should pay taxes (he even agrees), and that public school teachers are more important to our country than Mark Zuckerberg. This TDA party is not a big deal. Can’t believe I’m wasting the time to comment on this “watchdog” nonsense.
Then don’t.
Isn’t Tambellini the one who coined “Asheville, any way you like it”? If so, they should have served Burger King.
Doesn’t seem out of line with the prices anywhere in Asheville nowadays! I mean they at least kept the money local rather than adding a trip to the price tag! You are out of touch with the current venues for this sort of thing! Grove park would have been double! I guess they could have brought everyone Bojangles! I’m sure they where trying to put on a upscale event…attracts upscale and affluent peoples to the area! Which is kinda what the whole purpose was for this organization! Why don’t you look into why our roads are in such bad shape! Now that’s a real problem for WNC!!!
Here’s a thought…don’t have a retirement party at a place listed on one of the most overpriced tourist attractions in the country. https://www.charlotteobserver.com/charlottefive/c5-travel/article280320814.html
Nothing to see here? Au contraire. Yet another out-of-touch, tone deaf individual who sounds as if they have money to burn. Lots of people retire after 30+ years at a company – just how many rate a $17k party? A mere 3+ year employment stint almost 30 years ago at the Biltmore doesn’t seem to justify the selection to me. A cost-conscious and lovely retirement party could have been achieved, but money is clearly no object at the TDA. Thank you for shining the light on their continued wastefulness.
I would be absolutely sick and embarrassed if that was spent on my retirement party. Like, dig me a hole to crawl in, embarrassed. The entire group should be ashamed. In this current environment, to drop that disgusting level of funds for a party is beyond the pale. A complete waste of money with nothing to show. Wouldn’t it have been much more satisfying (I mean maybe not, the whole lot sounds selfish and entitled) to make a donation in her honor? Actually do some good around there? We aren’t celebrating the cure for cancer or a nobel peace prize. This is truly sick and if I were a resident, I would be pushing for dismissal of the entire team. The Biltmore Estate has itself become a beacon of ridiculous greed within Asheville. 30 years ago, when the tour amounted to more than today’s cattle prod between velvet ropes, the cost was somewhat more justified. Today, you get 15 minutes of exactly what you’ve seen 100 times in photos online. Tickets are three times the cost and the tour 1/16th the length. The snobbery is obnoxious. I call “great job” on this article being put out there. The residents deserve to know how foolish the TDA there is. Expose the horrific waste these folks create..and all for themselves at that.
Great article and to the point. I assume it was also catered by the Biltmore so they made a good amount of profit. When I catered major functions in the movie industry in Hollywood the hotel charged $40 for a gallon of coffee. And of course a this was a conflict of interest. Keep up the good work and thank you. What a cushy job.
Well, we can certainly tell from these various comments, which people have no problem spending money on stupid stuff against people with no money to spend on needed stuff.
Way back – wasn’t the idea of the TDA started by Mr. Cecil Sr. possibly with his brother George Cecil, to promote sleepy Asheville as a destination for outdoor recreation and home to The Biltmore House? Route 40 was built, actually going through a portion of the Estate. It was a good idea to help the growth of Asheville and many have profited by the plan. But would the older Cecils be proud and happy with the results of these past few years? Sometimes a great idea can become corrupted and get out of hand. The extravagance of the TDA is an embarrassment for those who carried a good thing way too far.
It seems to me that Tourism is but one economic driver meant to *serve a city and region*, not the other way around. It’s time for a correction (and better synergy between the TDA and local leaders), especially since advertising (thanks to the internet and social media) is less costly than it was back when the TDA was formed. Common sense says we can’t grow visitor numbers exponentially into infinity without major infrastructure investments. I also find it amusing that TDA folks didn’t seem to mind when Watchdog reported about downtown crime and uncleanliness when it worked to their advantage. I’ve also noticed that the Merrimon Road Diet works very well during winter months without all those extra cars with out-of-state plates.
I am nurse serving the people of WNC for 25 years. When I retire I have no expectation of a $17,000 retirement party. At best, perhaps a cake and a card. How utterly entitled to think tax payers should fund such extravagant parties.
Dishwashers, stewards, cleaners, prep cooks, sous chefs, chefs, bakers, garde mange, banquet managers, catering managers, event planners, admin, laundry attendants, servers, expediters,server assistants, bartenders, bar backs, food & beverage managers, purchasing, receiving, floral designers, hosts, valet…listed above are employees who were beyond grateful for any 16K event.
Just so long as the people you mention don’t mind that many of the long term homes they once could afford are now short term vacation rentals…
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners needs to lower the occupancy rate and reign in this slush fund a bit. The state legislature needs to allow TDA money to be used for affordable housing construction/ creation ..thank you Ms. Mayfield in advance for your efforts in regard to this very important aspect of it all. The TDA needs to let go of their way way overpaid CEO and find some just as qualified ( ..and hopefully someone a little less tone deaf) for half the amount or more the current CEO is paid ..this is an easy one, btw. Oh, and the composition of the TDA board.. I think that needs to be looked at a bit more closely as well… oui?
I rode the 7:40 p.m. S3 transit from airport last night (.50 cents for seniors) and was saddened to see the folks getting on and off carrying all their possessions in plastic bags or battered suitcases, scurrying off to wherever they went to pass the night. Walking home from the ART station, we passed many more destitute persons, some wheel-chair bound on sidewalks and in doorways…hovering in the shadows of the ever-rising hotels where TDA grafters reap their ill-gotten gains. Have they no shame?
What an inappropriate use of taxpayer money and a tone-deaf move on the part of the TDA. I have attended many retirement parties over the course of my career. None cost anywhere close to $17K. That is about 10 months rent for an average apartment in Asheville.
Could the TDA put on a 100k retirement party for the campers and litterers in Asheville and ship them to Seattle?
Very interesting question, actually, even though I suspect you meant it in jest. With no oversight, what would/could stop them from doing such a thing? Is it legal? One tenth the price of that tennis banner and much cleaner downtown for guests.
After 25 years of service I retired from a Fortune 100 company. Approximately 15 people attended my retirement luncheon. The food was picked up at Moes BBQ and we ate it on site. Total cost less than $500. $17,000 + does seem a bit excessive, probably be another room tax increase soon.
I have a problem with your request for financial information being ignored for nearly two months. This is unacceptable. The TDA is a local agency and citizens and news organizations have a right to see this information. Comments indicating there’s “nothing to see here” are troubling too. When I was a reporter there were several responses that increased interest is getting information. Aside from “nothing to see here”, another one was “I don’t see how that’s newsworthy”. Those comments only made sure I continued to dig further.
We just had a custodian retire from Buncombe County Schools after 50 years of service to the students and staff. Staff gathered in the media center to celebrate his retirement and I promise the snacks didn’t cost $17,000. Shame on the TDA for planning such an extravagant event, shame on Marla for being okay with it, and shame on the tone deaf commenters about making statements such as; “not knowing what things cost”.
In today’s city council agenda briefing meeting, city staff presented a proposal for boosting the block project that includes an estimate for a community celebration at around $15k. Let’s see if there is the same “investigative” disdain for this as there was for a reception honoring a dedicated 30-year employee that has given so much of her career to this community.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6imLY-Mpo