WON’T BE AT 6 P.M. MEETING TO DISCUSS MAINSTREET ISSUES

Just wondering who was responsible for the scheduled 6 p.m. start, for the February 9th public meeting, to “brainstorm” ideas for mainstreet business improvement. I couldn’t help but notice as well, that there is a 6 p.m. starting time for the Feb. 17 Annual BIA General Meeting, also at the Opera House, for the purpose of electing officers for the coming term. A coincidence? Did town hall come up with the time? Or was it the BIA? What an unusual time for a public meeting? Why not 7 p.m. or 8 p.m? Both very usual and convenient times to hold private, club or public meetings. The later part of the dinner hour for a start-up? While it might be a tradition, and usual practice for the BIA, when however, it comes to holding a public meeting, which the town has so enthusiastically promoted, six o’clock is both an awkward and inconvenient time. If the town wanted a substantial turn-out, it wouldn’t have chosen this time to commence. This isn’t a regular council, or committee meeting, to deal with town business. This is an open public meeting we have all been invited to, because apparently our opinions are valued. Then you’d think organizers would want to make this a convenient meeting to attend. Location is fine. Time sucks. Who set the time and what was the reasoning behind it?

I personally won’t be participating at the public meeting. But for the record, I’ve provided plenty of opinion on the matter of mainstreet revitalization. I don’t really expect it to be read with enthusiasm or acceptance, or heartily embraced but suffice to say, some things just have to be said. I’ve heard a lot of opinions blowing in the wind over Muskoka Road, for the past five years, and thought I’d have a go at it myself. We adore working here on Muskoka Road, and we know we made the right choice a half decade ago, to locate our music business here instead of moving further north. No regrets. Business is good. We have many good neighbors who care about the mainstreet as well, and it has made our stay evermore enjoyable. We don’t underestimate the present climate of unease. We appreciate the chagrin of some businesses that are not doing so well. We’d also like to promote a kinder, more co-operative relationship with the BIA and the town. It hasn’t worked for us in the past. It’s pretty much a mutual stand-off. We’re okay with that too. We’re only joiners to associations that value our participation.

If there is genuine interest in reversing mainstreet fortunes, the first step is to cast-out the demon, “status quo.” It has prevailed for too long. For one thing, 6 p.m. start ups to business area meetings may be traditional, yet just possibly, not in the best interests of being inclusive...to all those who might wish to attend..

Status quo hasn’t been a solution in Egypt. It won’t be here, either!