The editorial this week is written in response to the letter to the editor by Darlene Wainwright, published in this week鈥檚 edition of Lakes District 亚洲天堂.
The editorial, published in the Lakes District 亚洲天堂 of Sept. 14, 2011, was in no way intended to be a personal attack on the Lakes Artisan Cooperative.
The editorial simply addressed council鈥檚 decision to renew the rental contract for the interpretive centre, and whether or not council were favouring a local business by doing so.
Whether it be you, or another business in town - the editorial was addressing the need for fairness, as was Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake Coun. Luke Strimbold.
The issue was brought up by Coun. Strimbold, who I think, asked some very valid and fair questions before making his decision.
As an elected member of local government who is representing the community, no less should be expected.
As a local taxpayer I do want all elected officials to consider the wider community and to always ask questions before raising their hand to vote on every decision put before them.
When the original request to rent the interpretive centre went out one year ago, another local business, Tom鈥檚 Rocks and Treasures, also put their hand up for the lease, only to be turned down because council felt the Lakes Artisan Cooperative was more in tune with the building鈥檚 intended purpose 鈥� that of an interpretive centre.
Council felt that Tom鈥檚 Rocks and Treasures was not quite interpretive enough.
Ms. Wainwright mentioned in her letter that the Lakes Artisan Cooperative has a rack of pamphlets available and can point tourists in the direction of local sights, as well as provide demonstrations by local artisans, which helps the artisans fit within the guidelines for the building.
Great 鈥� but in all fairness this is something that the owners of Tom鈥檚 Rocks and Treasures could also have done 鈥� a rack of pamphlets is easy, and there could have been demonstrations on rock hounding and different types of rocks found in the area - could that not fall into being considered as an interpretive centre?
Again, I want to point out that it is great that local artisans have an outlet to sell their products.
There are so many talented artists and artisans in the local area, and no doubt the centre is popular with locals and tourists alike.
I do however find it hard to believe that the village is making money charging $500 a month for the services provided.
Wayne Brown of Process 4 circle arts Gallery also has a similar business, I have wonder if he is getting the same deal on his rent?
鈥業s this deal favouring one business over another鈥� was the question that was asked at the council table.
So is it? I still don鈥檛 think Coun. Strimbold鈥檚 question was really answered?
My apologies have to go to the local artisans who rent the interpretive centre building ... the Sept. 14, 2011 editorial certainly wasn鈥檛 written to be a personal attack on our talented local artists and artisans - but I do feel any agreements made between council and local businesses and or cooperatives still have to be fair - after all it is tax payers money.
