(Op-ed by Peter Children)
Isn’t it typical how people react, how certain things ignite their reactionary impulses. They get indignant, upset, all lathered up to defend what they think is right. That’s good, it’s the way it’s meant to be; it’s called freedom, the right of expression and I applaud each of you for being a part of it. Think of how much better it would make you feel if you used your real names. I also realize why you can’t in certain circumstances, many of which might be conflict of interest from your employer, or spouse, your clientele, friends or any number of reasons. I on the other hand have no compunction about signing my name, after all what argument is there against the truth?
Most of you amuse me, I marvel at some of your responses, your feeble thrusts at trying to discredit what you know to be true. What is most perplexing is why you would defend someone you know to be disturbed. Is it perhaps fueled more by dislike for me personally…I can live with that as well. What I point out is very visible, its’ there in front of you, it’s right in your face and I know you see it yet you have tricked yourselves into believing it isn’t really there. Good for you, although it really doesn’t change one thing. You’ve heard the saying; “The truth gathers few friends.” Well you’re all proof of that. Do not misconstrue what I say as a indication I don’t like you because you’d be wrong, I even like the mayor; I’d just like him a whole lot better if he’d resign and as a former job recruiter, maybe give serious effort to networking on that front somewhere on the West Coast.
I wonder how many of you are aware that this is a small town, and that there are no secrets in small towns. I know there is wide spread self- hypnosis because the majority of you are in a trance like state, the state of denial.
Maybe this site frightens you, maybe the openness and freedom of expression scares you; maybe you’re still used to the Globe where you could only submit 300 words every three weeks, and if they agreed with it…they’d print it or edit it without your permission, or reject it out right. I once submitted a letter in which I was critical of the Cinema West theaters for lack of heat during the winter months. It was always so cold in there I had to leave my coat on…as did most others sitting in the same area. Would you go to a restaurant to dine, then have to eat with your coat on? I think if that happened you’d bitch, and you’d be right. Well the bottom line was my letter was soundly rejected as not acceptable. Cinema West bought a very small ad from the Globe in which to advertise the films that were playing, that fact gave them immunity from any and all forms of criticism. Now that is real journalism. I spent more per year with them as a subscriber than those ads sold for. I tried calling St. Cloud, MN where they are located but there is no number available. Did you ever notice the size of the ad those theaters bought? They are slightly larger than the size of a postage stamp, but it was all that was needed to protect them from honest criticism.
Lets look at this proposed fifteen to twenty million dollar hockey rink Bookmeyer and his friends want to build. Most of these proponents are aleadged “business” people and as such they are cognizance of the population figures in this part of the state. those numbers are public information. Lets stop fooling ourselves, here in Northern Iowa it would be difficult to fill 100 seats in a restaurant with 50% off the menu. It’s been said NIACC spent around two million refurbishing their auditorium…and it looks it. Most of us have been there at one time or another as part of their concert series program…I have enjoyed many myself. If we are to be completely honest, there are not many times that room of 2,000 fills up. Most of the time I have attended events there it averaged about one third full.
The majority of these events are booked months in advance; what if we were subjected to a good old fashion Iowa blizzard on the day of the event? This is not Miami. You say the odds are against that? When I was in the bar business here, one winter when I was selling cold beer the tempature never rose above freezing for over thirty days in a row. Our weather here can be brutal, and often is. There seem to be times each winter when Interstate thirty-five is closed; every year here someone dies in this area due to the winter weather. Weather is a major factor to business in North Iowa, not only will the utility bills go through the roof, but it will empty the bulk of the seating as well. Fool someone else, but never yourself.
The weather factor is only part of the problem; population or lack of it is the number one reason your odds are better at Diamond Joe’s, and we know what your chances are there. Mpls./St.Paul has a population of three-million, more people than there are living in the entire state of Iowa. The majority of these facilities do not cash flow, that means you pay, and you pay and pay and pay. And then you’d pay some more.
As a stand alone facility it would be a tough go, incorporated with the North Iowa Fair would make more sense, by involving the county you lessen the risk and expand the interest. Well that’s why there are more choices other than Vanilla & Chocolate. If you change that council table your right to choose will not exist……you’ll take what they shove down your throat. Just remember, those who want this money pit will tell you anything you want to hear, anything that is except the truth.
Soon the new Park Inn Hotel will open and following that will be busloads of tourists wanting to get a look at history. The people who worked long and hard to bring this treasured landmark back to life represent what makes living here worthwhile. They all need to be applauded for their determination to make this city a better place.
Peter Children
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