After reading the Tribune on-line comment section in the paper yesterday, I decided to mention a few of the issues here. I haven’t been very vocal lately. So here is a quick breakdown-
“stop being lap dogs” I like that. The gentleman appeals to all citizens to get involved, regardless of where we stand politically. Good idea.
However, we then segue into bashing 10th Ave. “Two bit casino’s, check floating services, pawnshops, seedy tattoo shops, and massage parlors….All hallmarks of an economy driven by low wages, a bottom of the barrel work force……Helena, Missoula, and Bozeman have the sheer beauty of the mountains and openness that attracts business. ….Remove the dams, return the river to its breathtaking possibilities…Make this town come alive with possibilities.
Well, I’ve complained about the negative appeal of casinos before. I think if you look at that issue with out any bias the casino’s are not the “seedy looking” businesses many claim. Name me a run down building with poor quality signs and exterior housing a casino. Pawn shops on 10th- there are a few. Every single pawn shop on 10th is a locally (citizen) owned business as far as I know. And how many are there? I can think of three. Tattoo shops-still not very many. I do not like the paint jobs on many of the check floating/title loan buildings. Massage parlors? What, are they lining the street with scantily clad ladies of the night hanging out the windows? Where?
And what do mountains have to do with attracting business? Would we get a Red Lobster if we had a mountain? Yes, lets remove the dams and all the reasons for having them, return the river to it’s breathtaking possibilities, lose the power generated by the dams and ability to regulate water flows that allow our farmers to possibly make a living, they probably just come to town to gamble, get tattoo’s, pawn their tractors and visit those “massage parlors” anyway. And then must float a check to get home and raise your next hamburger.
Why doesn’t anyone ever bash the hair and nail salons that spring up all over, the restaurants that open and make it for a few months before closing, the used car lots lining 10th, car washes, convenience stores. There are never too many furniture stores and video rental places. How many Subways and Wells Fargo outlets are enough?
I agree we need some changes in this town. But I don’t really think we need to change the town. There is a line of apathy drawn many years ago that defines who and what we are. I see older people with any business they can make a living at, getting by. Younger people leaving in search of better possibilities. A new generation, not defined by age, saying this is a good place, let’s do something with it. Many of these people have come from other states or cities, and see our town in a better light than the people who grew up here. Why?
“stop being lap dogs” I like that. The gentleman appeals to all citizens to get involved, regardless of where we stand politically. Good idea.
However, we then segue into bashing 10th Ave. “Two bit casino’s, check floating services, pawnshops, seedy tattoo shops, and massage parlors….All hallmarks of an economy driven by low wages, a bottom of the barrel work force……Helena, Missoula, and Bozeman have the sheer beauty of the mountains and openness that attracts business. ….Remove the dams, return the river to its breathtaking possibilities…Make this town come alive with possibilities.
Well, I’ve complained about the negative appeal of casinos before. I think if you look at that issue with out any bias the casino’s are not the “seedy looking” businesses many claim. Name me a run down building with poor quality signs and exterior housing a casino. Pawn shops on 10th- there are a few. Every single pawn shop on 10th is a locally (citizen) owned business as far as I know. And how many are there? I can think of three. Tattoo shops-still not very many. I do not like the paint jobs on many of the check floating/title loan buildings. Massage parlors? What, are they lining the street with scantily clad ladies of the night hanging out the windows? Where?
And what do mountains have to do with attracting business? Would we get a Red Lobster if we had a mountain? Yes, lets remove the dams and all the reasons for having them, return the river to it’s breathtaking possibilities, lose the power generated by the dams and ability to regulate water flows that allow our farmers to possibly make a living, they probably just come to town to gamble, get tattoo’s, pawn their tractors and visit those “massage parlors” anyway. And then must float a check to get home and raise your next hamburger.
Why doesn’t anyone ever bash the hair and nail salons that spring up all over, the restaurants that open and make it for a few months before closing, the used car lots lining 10th, car washes, convenience stores. There are never too many furniture stores and video rental places. How many Subways and Wells Fargo outlets are enough?
I agree we need some changes in this town. But I don’t really think we need to change the town. There is a line of apathy drawn many years ago that defines who and what we are. I see older people with any business they can make a living at, getting by. Younger people leaving in search of better possibilities. A new generation, not defined by age, saying this is a good place, let’s do something with it. Many of these people have come from other states or cities, and see our town in a better light than the people who grew up here. Why?
posted by a-fire-fly at 10:33 AM
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