So, let me get this straight … three out of five Dover Selectboard members (Holland, Martin, and Snow) recently voted to cut the VLW&H Festival by 50% because: a) none of the other towns are contributing and b) the chamber of commerce did not ”do enough to entice area towns to participate”
Who are they trying to punish? Us or Wilmington? Essentially, what the selectboard is saying is that they want to penalize the residents, businesses, voters and taxpayers of Dover for others’ shortsightedness. What they are essentially doing is reducing the overall effectiveness of a major Dover revenue generator by cutting this funding.
Reduce the funding and marketing efforts and you reduce the end result. It’s very simple.
Wilmington did not “pony up”?
So what? Get over it.
Sibilia wasn’t able to change the shortsighted-minds of our neighbors?
So what? Get over it.
And while we’re on the subject, you need to learn to work with Laura. She’s the best thing that’s happened to this town in that position in the 14 years we’ve been here. Rather than fight her, work with her and get a plan together and move forward. Right now, you’re going backwards.
Dover businesses get a 427% return on the investment ($64,000 calculated revenue on a $15,000 investment) and you want to cut the funding? I’d be happy with a lowly 100% return ($15,000 revenue on a $15,000 investment). As a good friend of mine likes to say, “I’m lost.”
There is a big picture here that a few of the board members can’t seem to grasp. The big picture is that we need people to come to Dover. Period. Whether they be day trippers, overnighters, motorcyclists, grand racers, letter boxers, wine lovers, hikers, bikers, scrapbookers, skiers, boarders, or crafters, it makes no difference. We need people to come to Dover. If they don’t come they can’t spend. Conversely, if they do come they do spend. This event is entirely focused on this big picture.
To the three dissenting selectboard members, please reconsider your votes and, people of Dover, please don’t let this opportunity slide by. Call the selectboard members and tell them where you stand.
John B. Bailey
Dover
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