Tourism again and again and again...

I have said it before and I'll say it again.  Tourism alone will not save our town.  While I applaud efforts to look at every angle and think of new ideas, those that think tourism alone is the way to go are completely missing the point.  And yes, it is very important to take pride in your town and make it beautiful.  Once again, if our only focus is fixing sidewalks and unnactractive facades, we will miss the boat.  We will end up with a pretty little town with a few more visitors.  That is not what we need.  We need new investments, new industries, more jobs and more people.  Tourists come, spend their money and then leave.  Even if the town is quaint and pretty, that will not get more money from the tourists.  They need things to do (new activities) and more places to spend that money.  It all starts with more industry and more investment.  This will help the local people as well and aid in retaining our population.  The focus of town council for the past four years has been on these kinds of investments.  The process is ongoing.  It is not fair to look at the immediate results, say that none of it has worked, and then take off in a completely new direction.  Much of the process is taking place just under the surface, but those who are in the know, realize that the work must continue if these plans are to become reality.  A few people have said they want Dr. Pellow in charge so that he can "shake things up".  I fear, that if you shake something this fragile too hard, it will shatter to pieces.  We must stay the course, else I fear we may regret it for a very long time.  Rmember Mike Harris and his "common sense revolution"?  Are we still feeling the sting from that awful mess?  Those that agree with me know what you have to do to keep such a disaster from happening in our beautiful Chapleau.