Being a small business owner myself, I know how important it is to be supportive of other local business owners. I was very disappointed that the restaurant The Varsity was brought in from Atlanta to sell food during this function. We have our own local restaurants that people could have chosen to eat at.

Newton Plaza has six businesses in the shopping center plus five more within walking distance that serve food, who pay taxes [here]. The square has six businesses in the general area that serve food as well.

The Halpern Realty Group and tenants of the plaza pay $234,294 in real estate taxes in addition to inventory tax. Our 7 percent sales tax helps support the town as well. I also pay over $1,900 in city and county taxes on my home.

I feel that whoever was in charge of this function owes us an apology for not having the money kept in Newton County.