Interesting.
Apparently, the City Club in Bend had a "debate" about whether Bend was hosting too many athletic events.
Though, from reading the KTVZ report, ("Bend's Big Events, Is Enough, Enough?") there wasn't much debating. Sounded like most of them already had their mind up that the "More Is Better" stance is the right one and were circling the wagons in support of that view.
Strangely, most of those who were quoted, also owe their jobs to finding and promoting such events, but never mind....
Anyway, the fact that the subject even came up probably means that there was some grumbling going on by some members somewhere -- probably not willing to go on the record. I mean, as Bruce so aptly put it, that would be like taking away away their lollipops! Not a popular view -- to the promoters, the organizers, the officials, the merchants who do profit, the event attendees, the media, or the public. Pretty strong lobby to argue against.
Still, I think maybe a few citizenss are starting to realize that blocked or clogged streets, and outside vendors, trash and litter, and insensitive placements have some downsides. I've heard pretty much the same thing downtown -- that even merchants who are in overall favor of the 'events' were not completely happy about the way they were handled. But no one wants to go on the record.
There have been a couple of minor rebellions over the years. I know the Drake Park neighborhood was pretty unhappy for awhile; I can't remember if they got any events canceled or moved. And the Skyliner Rd. folk were grousing recently.
I'm sure we objectors come across as selfish -- but in most cases, what we're really asking are adjustments and some consideration. For instance, I told Chuck Arnold I saw no real reason they couldn't hold the Cascade Bike Race on a Sunday instead of a Saturday, except that it was inconvenient for them to reschedule. This is an entrenched event now, so I doubt anything will change. Ditto Sunday for the Car thingy....
I know my yearly disquiet with these interruptions to the flow of my business isn't really making any headway with changing anything. But the next person who comes along who discovers the same circumstances won't be starting completely from scratch. Maybe, just maybe, someone a little more politically savvy and willing to fight the good fight, will be able to change things.
Apparently, the City Club in Bend had a "debate" about whether Bend was hosting too many athletic events.
Though, from reading the KTVZ report, ("Bend's Big Events, Is Enough, Enough?") there wasn't much debating. Sounded like most of them already had their mind up that the "More Is Better" stance is the right one and were circling the wagons in support of that view.
Strangely, most of those who were quoted, also owe their jobs to finding and promoting such events, but never mind....
Anyway, the fact that the subject even came up probably means that there was some grumbling going on by some members somewhere -- probably not willing to go on the record. I mean, as Bruce so aptly put it, that would be like taking away away their lollipops! Not a popular view -- to the promoters, the organizers, the officials, the merchants who do profit, the event attendees, the media, or the public. Pretty strong lobby to argue against.
Still, I think maybe a few citizenss are starting to realize that blocked or clogged streets, and outside vendors, trash and litter, and insensitive placements have some downsides. I've heard pretty much the same thing downtown -- that even merchants who are in overall favor of the 'events' were not completely happy about the way they were handled. But no one wants to go on the record.
There have been a couple of minor rebellions over the years. I know the Drake Park neighborhood was pretty unhappy for awhile; I can't remember if they got any events canceled or moved. And the Skyliner Rd. folk were grousing recently.
I'm sure we objectors come across as selfish -- but in most cases, what we're really asking are adjustments and some consideration. For instance, I told Chuck Arnold I saw no real reason they couldn't hold the Cascade Bike Race on a Sunday instead of a Saturday, except that it was inconvenient for them to reschedule. This is an entrenched event now, so I doubt anything will change. Ditto Sunday for the Car thingy....
I know my yearly disquiet with these interruptions to the flow of my business isn't really making any headway with changing anything. But the next person who comes along who discovers the same circumstances won't be starting completely from scratch. Maybe, just maybe, someone a little more politically savvy and willing to fight the good fight, will be able to change things.