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Chamber chief reveals aversion to tackling tourism dilemmas
In a recent
commentary we expressed mild surprise upon learning that the Key West
Chamber of Commerce chose not endorse the "road map" of recommendations
presented by the Ad Hoc Planning Committee created by Mayor Jimmy
Weekley.
In its report,
the committee explicitly acknowledges that tourism is the city's
economic base now and for the foreseeable future and listed as Goal
Number One a need to preserve and enhance the uniqueness of Key West as
a place for residents to live and visitors to enjoy.
The director
of the chamber as well as other representatives of the business
community served on the committee.
The Ad Hoc
Planning Committee also urged the city commission to take the next
logical step and assume responsibility for developing a comprehensive,
long-range plan.
This past week
the chamber has come clean in signaling its emphatic disdain for the
whole idea.
In an e-mail
to its membership, Michael L. Browning, the chamber's president,
whimsically chronicled the trajectory of Key West's economy from
Navy-base based (1940-1970s) to "devastation" (1975) to "turnaround,"
thanks to tourism (1977).
He summed up
his reaction to the Ad Hoc Planning Committee this way: "Residents of
Key West who do not make their income from tourist related activities --
all seven of them -- storm city hall with a petition written on a
cocktail napkin demanding eradication of tourism."
How
statesmanlike.
There was a
time when a Chamber of Commerce was presumed to be a positive influence
on a community, an affiliation of business leaders committed to civic
progress and betterment. Browning seems to be in another zone.
Apparently, he believes that Key West is the tourist industry's private
theme park. Folks who are not part of the "industry" will be tolerated
as long as they know their place, keep their mouths shut and quit
bothering City Hall.
Was there a
referendum? Did we somehow miss it? Have we voted to disenfranchise
everyone who is not engaged in the tourist industry?
We have two
suggestions for Mr. Browning: Read the committee's recommendations.
Obviously he has not. Visit the elections office and count the votes.
The latter may be a sobering experience. Yes, there are a lot of
cocktail napkins there if that's the way you want to count your
neighbors.
We sincerely
hope the city commission will not be intimidated by Browning's arrogant,
dismissive, disrespectful attempt at humor.
From where we
sit, the issues confronting Key West are real. Traffic congestion.
Noise. Parking. Enforcement of ordinances, regulations and codes.
Adequate housing at affordable prices. Historic preservation. Water
quality. A looming shortage of potable water. Soon, we may be exporting
the garbage we generate, thereby adding even more 18-wheelers to an
overburdened and increasingly dangerous U.S. 1.
There are
reasonable solutions to all of these problems. Ignoring them is not an
option. We earnestly believe our citizens have a right to expect the
city commission to pay some attention and face up to its obligations.
In the end the
greatest risk is that the foundation of our economy, the tourists, will
be the first to flee the scene. They come here by choice. They want to
enjoy our lifestyle and the many wonderful attractions we offer. Isn't
that the same thing our citizens want?
If the
leadership of the Chamber of Commerce doesn't get it we have not the
least doubt the voters will. |
