Woodridge

To the editor:

I read with interest the March 22 edition Democrat front page article regarding the proposed Sullivan County Tourism Grant Program. This program would apparently fund non-private sector tourism events, likely multiday. Sounds great, but I am puzzled.

1. Why was the participation of the SCVA only considered as an afterthought? They are the leading agency for tourism promotion. Wouldn’t their input be critical to the development of the grant program and its implementation?
2. The Sullivan County Partnership and Renaissance are both already included as participants. Why weren't they consulted?
3. Why is it that members of the private sector, which generates tax dollars for the county, do not seem to be included as potential grant recipients?
4. Are we really sure before the fact that the county needs to spend money on multi-day events? Does that have the greatest return to investment of County dollars? Shouldn’t that come out of what tourism industry participants think is needed?

I would suggest establishing a program with the input of our tourism organization and businesses that would provide needed funds for events or other private enterprises, and require 75 percent of the funds for the activities to be supported privately or from other public entities. In the private sector, there is nothing like risking your own money to help make good decisions on what to do with it. I would appreciate it if the legislature would consider improving their proposal.