by Jeanne Karlhuber
posted
Nov 21, 2012
Dear Editor,
I believe that achieving solid, sustainable,
economic development in our resort town should be an ongoing
topic of discussion with input from not only our elected officials,
but all segments of our population. Once consensus on a chosen path
is reached, there should naturally be opportunities to evaluate and
correct course with ever evolving circumstances.
But I also believe that all proposals and discussions must be
based on fact and not fiction.
Regarding Mr. Rome's statement and radical departure from the
current, approved strategy, please allow me to present some
indisputable facts:
• On April 10, 2012 the Selectboard unanimously
adopted a strategic operating plan. Goal #3 is to "increase tourism
and year round employment" and was further characterized as
supporting the long term health and sustainability of our
community. Key actions in this plan include "invest in Summer and
Fall tourism" and "prioritize Gateway and Trails projects." In one
page of the strategic plan "Four Season Tourism" is portrayed as an
essential piece of the path to lower taxes.
• In the very well attended VCRD forums, which
paved the way for the development of a town-wide concept for
economic development, one of the top four goals identified by
unanimous consensus of involved citizens, was the improvement and
beautification of the Route 4 corridor, or Gateway to Killington,
and has continued to be applauded and encouraged by the
populace.
• The business model of the past for ski and
other resort towns was concentration on one season as the single
economic driver. The new, nearly universal paradigm for economic
survival of resort towns is now creation of multi-season business
opportunities.
• In the summer of 2012 most businesses in
Killington remained open. Any assertion to the contrary is simply
not true.
• The summer events which took place brought
increased business to town. Three specific examples (but by far not
the only ones): the Spartan Race resulted in a number of visitors
equivalent to those of a busy ski season weekend; the Killington
Classic also brought significant numbers of visitors to the town
and promises to continue to do so; the Killington Hay Festival has
once again been chosen as one of the Vermont Chamber Top 10 Fall
events.
There are no silver bullets to jump start our economy, but with
a patient, methodical, and above all consistent approach we are
moving this town forward. The spirit of the community has begun to
lift, and I am disheartened to see a sudden potential shift in that
momentum and in the positive steps already underway. I implore the
members of the selectboard to consider fact and not to derail the
progress already made and the truly visionary long-term plan for
growth, beautification and viability.
Respectfully,
Jeanne Karlhuber
