Stafford Fire Department offering up Corvette in annual, money-making raffle

By Howard B. Owens
May 18, 2009, 4:36pm

Bob Fitzsimmons and Mike Boyle get a little sun sitting next to an eye-catching jet black 1963 Corvette Convertible. Fitzsimmons and Boyle said they will be in the same spot everyday, outside the Stafford Fire Department building, from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. selling raffle tickets for the vehicle (or $50,000 in cash) until the drawing on Father's Day.

This is the 26th year the SFD has raffled off a Corvette. Fitzsimmons said it's a very successful fund raiser for the department.

"We own all our own engines, the building and the land behind it," Fitzsimmons said. "The town gives us a little bit of money, but not much. It (the raffle sure helps with my taxes, I'll tell you that."

The raffle is known throughout the world, Fitzsimmons said. They publicize it through their own mailing list as well as magazine ads.

Tickets are $1 each, or three for $2, or $10 for a book of 15.

George Richardson

I worked with a man who won a

I worked with a man who won a new Cadillac from the St. Joe's Lawn Fete during the early seventies. He had to sell it after a year, to pay the taxes on his winnings, but he was still plenty happy and felt real lucky, because he was. I hope someone I know wins this one too.

May 18, 2009, 5:43pm Permalink

Bea McManis

wow, things have changed.

wow, things have changed. when I worked for the county, the only sales tax paid was the tax on the cost of the ticket.

May 18, 2009, 5:56pm Permalink

Howard B. Owens

Bea, I don't when or if the

Bea, I don't when or if the law changed, but for as far back as I can remember, prizing winnings have always been taxable income.

May 18, 2009, 7:27pm Permalink

Bea McManis

Posted by Howard Owens about

Posted by Howard Owens about 9 minutes ago
Bea, I don't when or if the law changed, but for as far back as I can remember, prizing winnings have always been taxable income.

I was referring to the sales tax...I don't know about income tax...two different animals.
Back in the day, the only sales tax was on the price of the ticket and not the vehicle won - since one didn't buy the vehicle but just the ticket.
Sorry for the confusion

May 18, 2009, 7:38pm Permalink

DOUGLAS MCCLURG

HI MY FRIENDS: Tax or not to

HI MY FRIENDS:
Tax or not to tax-It's inevitable,we all pay.
This is my home town carnival.These guys have the best and modern equiptment because of the ticket sales on the car.I consider them A top notch fire department and am glad they're there