Chris Morris’s unexpectedly vigorous comments (reprinted here, verbatim) seem to have passed unnoticed, perhaps because he chose an admirable discretion in naming names. I appreciate that, and in the coming days, there’ll be the opportunity for this blog to transform the vague into the concrete, because there are times when things like this need to be said aloud.
Not just yet, though. Until there’s time, here is the Tribune “jeer.” As you’re reading, bear these thoughts in mind:
Is there any chance at all of unity among proponents of downtown, especially its mercantile class, or will parochial self-interest always trump singularity of purpose?
If there is even a chance of unity, who or what can a majority of forward thinking proponents trust to lead it?
If petty self-interest always carries the day, then can we expect to succeed as an entity without there being an ultimate, shared, desired outcome?
Are all downtown merchants equal, or are some longstanders more equal than the others?
TRIBUNE CHEERS & JEERS: Sept. 30, 2009
JEERS… to a very few downtown New Albany business owners. Good sources confirm to The Tribune that a small group complained about how their businesses would suffer by having the Harvest Homecoming parade re-routed down Pearl Street. The parade will now end at Bank as it has in previous years instead of going to Pearl. The committee wanted to change the route to get more people familiar with the businesses along Pearl and in the downtown area. How much will business be hurt? People not attending the parade know to stay away from the downtown area at that time. So a change seems like it would help bring potential customers to the area. Businesses could capitalized by running special parade deals or promotions.Harvest Homecoming is New Albany’s premier event of the year and downtown businesses should work together with the festival.
