Sunday's printed version of the Roanoke Times "Current" included an article that said "About this series" -- so who knew it was a series?
The interview with the new Executive Director of the new New River Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau begin by stating "This is the final installment of a six-week series of question-and-answer sessions with people who either helped to influence or were affected by the New River Valley's major story lines of 2009." One could presume this related back to the "Year in Review" series.
Hmmm. The newspaper's Q&A series began with an interview with a survivor of the Virginia Tech massacre, with pointed questions about the files on the assailant being discovered in 2009. The shooting, as most will recall, occurred in 2007. The series included an interview with Blacksburg Mayor Ron Rordam and the retiring Pulaski public school superintendent.
It also included a Blue Ridge Business Journal article on the not-retiring Bill Aden of Draper Aden. But that was not a Roanoke Times story, rather one picked up from another publication. Oh, wait -- the two news sources are now owned by the same group. Regardless, some think this recycled article should be "required reading" for anyone involved in Blacksburg government or NRV economic development.
This lists five of the six in this series -- the bets are the missing one did not focus on Christiansburg. Ouch.
When the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce showcased twelve "Pillars of the Community" in its inclusive 2009 Blacksburg & Christiansburg Visitors Guide -- but did not list one Christiansburg leader -- feathers were ruffled. Now perhaps this Q&A series will be a cause of hurt feelings in Town Hall because they were again excluded. (Or chose not to participate, again -- perhaps waiting for the new Public Information Officer to come on board and make community relations all better, including better utilization of their year-old super expensive revamped web site? Note the PIO was not a funded position in the current fiscal year, however, the retained tourism dollars have been mentioned as a source to cover that additional $60,000/yr expense.)
Or perhaps readers should wonder whether the chamber will continue efforts on bringing visitors into the area. Is the new organization a visitors bureau because the existing efforts were conducted as a visitors center? If the chamber's program ceases, because it becomes redundant instead of complementary, will their member dues be reduced? How will these two competing 501(c)6 organizations maintain membership -- along the lines of the type of business, or by taxes each is required to collect for local governments? In tight economic times, one could expect few businesses to join every group saying it can provide a benefit -- especially when a lot of what's proposed to be marketed by the new organization is actually outside Montgomery County (leaving some sports, local food and bed rentals as the only hooks to lure visitors with).
Two years ago (and nearly three years after they began funding the program), Christiansburg Town Council was making noises they weren't satisfied. As the new NRV CVB rolls out, all are encouraged to review the original tourism study, plans and goals (Don't have a copy of these three documents? Contact "Think" to have these materials sent in electronic format).
Now that the Tourism Development Council (TDC) is "totally divorced" from the chamber and the bride of a new entity, so it must be time to stop playing games and start plain speaking. Dust off plans, and get moving -- make the "marriage" work. Remember, too, these are public tax funds officials are accountable for as regards their use, and to citizens who expect results. There should be no additional five-year grace period going forward -- only results.