Meriwhether County is astride GA 85, rambling in the route between Atlanta and Columbus, Georgia.  In the early 20th Century, it was thriving with the Cotton Trade.  Wagons and trucks met the trains along the corridor, one of the southern-most points was Gay, established by the ancestors of William "Bill" Gay...now deceased...former Mayor, Postmaster, Councilman and all-around great guy!

Bill and his wife Joanne, established the regionally prosperous, economically beneficial Cotton Pickin' Fair in the early 1970s, held semi-annually in downtown Gay, drawing tens of thousands through its gates for nearly four decades. This event and two other events occur simultaneously and make the town come alive during the first weekends in May and October every year.

During the rest of the year you can usually walk down the center line of the highway for short distances without too much fear of being hit by an errant automobile or logging truck.

The nation's current economic atmosphere has taken its toll on the Festivals Industry in a rather large scale.  This is quite evident in Gay...but not so much as you would say the town is going to fold up any time soon.

The current Mayor has turned to the only reliable source of revenue she knows and is tacking on fees and requirements which I feel are not in the spirit of the events being created.  Don't mean to be sounding too bit glib and opinionated here...but I feel that I'm having the correct reaction to what I have learned.  With more than three decades in the industry, these are very reliable instincts.

The three events each charge a fee for its exhibitors to participate.  About five years ago, the Town of Gay decided to require a permit to be a "temporary vendor" in any of the events or activities taking place during what amounts to five days being present in the county.  A legal caveat allows an exemption for non-profit groups.

So the tax-donkey has become the two other events.  In addition to the requirement for an Occupation/Business Tax Application to be completed...and $5 collected...there now is an Affidavit Verifying Status for City Public Benefit Application.  Presented as a "requirement" under the Immigration and Nationalization Act along with applicable State of Georgia statutes, this declaration of citizenship and/or permanent residency is being held as a necessary requisite in order to apply for the aforementioned permit.

And it has to be Notarized...for a fee.

So the fee for the permit, the fee for the license, the fee for the Notary to verify you are who you say you are...all are being placed in the hands of the show directors by the Town of Gay, Merewether County.  My personal thoughts tell me that the Town of Gay should administer any and all collection of fees for permits and affidavits, etc.

That the completion of a "citizenship" and "residency" verification is not the business of the event as they are neither agents nor employed by the city, county or State of Georgia;  that the collection of fees and the swearing of oaths on behalf of a state or local agency in order for those individuals to be compliant toward being a part of an activity...all of this...is not the duty or the obligation of festival or event management.

Granted, the fees aren't much...but to place $5 from here, $5 from there, $20-$30 from elsewhere just to be there and conduct business is a "taxation" which these mules are not going to carry for any length of time...if at all.

The Economic Engine of Meriwherther County is suffering right along with similar efforts elsewhere.  However, levying fees on those who can least afford to pay or who are not required to do so at other competing events in other locations, counties, cities, etc...will serve to activate a huge "sucking" noise.

This would be the emptiness of the town as the wind whips through the empty streets and down GA 85 as folks walk down the middle of the road on the four days a year the festivals and events would have taken place.

Not being a lawyer, I do not know the in's and out's of the legal system.  But I do feel that the Mayor of Gay, Georgia is creating an untenable situation of a less-than-pleasant result for the economy and future of this once King Of Cotton Community.