The good stuff is free from chemicals, harmful organisms and weed seeds. At least, that’s what we’re told. The good stuff is the plants and produce that are grown without the use of artificial pesticides, herbicides; and organic livestock for our meat, eggs, and dairy are raised on only organic feed – free from hormones, steroids, and antibiotics.

In short, the commonplace definition for anything labeled “organic” in a grocery store is free of man-made chemicals.

Most of the stuff that Paris citizens are told is also organic –

Currently, we’re told to celebrate the fact that the City of Paris is giving “incentives” to four businesses and, especially, the owner of the Towne Center Shopping Center.

The owner gets a 5-year, 50% property tax abatement (worth $167,500-or so). Then, a 50% reduction of the 2.5% local sales tax for 3-years go to the four stores, which is another $300,000 (rough guess).

Then, the city claimed all this would add around $70,000 of new income for the city. But wouldn’t that be losing income, as an anticipated one-half of the sales tax goes to each store? Or even a percentage of replacement income, as these outlets only fill spaces vacated when four stores previously closed?

If we had given those stores the same incentives, would they still be here?

If this new policy works, why not try and be as generous to every business in Paris? Think how much “new income” that would generate–

But how long can you continue to rob Peter to pay Paul? Taxpayers with inquiring minds or no minds at all want to know . . .

Since July 1989, the following has been the policy of the City of Paris:

• (1) a spokesman for what used to be the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce was quoted in the Paris News as saying that no incentives would be available for retail businesses

• (2) A Director of the PEDC stated to the head of real estate development department of a large retail outlet chain that no incentives are available for retail.

• (3) City of Paris officials told the top 3 officers of a $1.5 billion firm that was interested in building a shopping center on the west side of Paris that no local incentives are available (and businesses don’t do well on the west side of Paris).

The city can talk about how it can make money by giving away money, but the Paris Texas Chamber of Commerce knows manure when we we hear it. The same goes for the ridiculous claims that the state’s Chapter 380 Program could add to the city’s tax base and increase revenues.

The only thing for sure is that somebody wins and somebody loses . . .

Organic fertilizer is also called “organic manure” as it is made from animal waste or animal and plant residues. Examples are livestock and poultry manure, guano, finely pulverized fish, dried and powdered blood, ground bone, crushed shells, phosphate rock, and wood.

In terms of nutrients, a radish or a tomato or an ear of corn or a potato doesn’t know the difference between conventional or organic fertilizers.

So a lot of folks are willing to pay a higher price for manure-based food, which is no big deal: Citizens of Paris are paying to be fed the basic ingredient.