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Van Horn Advocate
The story was on a debate by members of the FS city council over the expenditure of visitor development funds by the city, money that amounted to less than five per cent of the city's proposed budget. That money amounted to $331,500.
One man was calling for dissolution of the city department responsible for tourism and visitor development, contending that Fort Stockton is not a tourist destination, only a stopover place. "We're here, but we are not a tourist destination; we are a stopover place. And if we accept - we were a watering place when this started, and we're still a watering place."
He proposed that the city do away with the Main Street and Tourism department.
Kenda Furman, special projects coordinator for the City of Fort Stockton, and an assistant to the city's tourism director, responded that the city has been...promoting Fort Stockton to visitors and doing it well. She presented data that showed a 58 percent increase in city revenues over the past five years from the city's motel occupancy tax, an indicator of increased visitation to the city.
The critic's comments prompted a number of individuals - including city officials, business leaders and private citizens to speak on behalf of Furman, City Tourism Director Genora Young and the city staff in general for the work they do, according to the Pioneer.
These are the comments that have stirred up local citizens.
"Main Street is not just Main Street, it's the whole community," said Mayor Howard McKissack. ...."I think the thing that we're doing here - we want Fort Stockton and its citizens to be progressive. Fort Stockton banks are doing exceptionally well, Fort Stockton merchants for the most part are doing exceptionally well. And why is that? I guarantee you, Pecos isn't doing as well, Monahans isn't doing as well. I think a lot of it is due to the agressiveness of our popoulation and the people we have working here. A lot of folks around the state sing our praises because these people work so hard. I think most of us here are proud to live in this town.."
A little further down in the article John Mac Carpenter, a private citizen at the hearing said, "I've been to towns that have a Main Street program and I've been to towns that don't. And believe me, you can tell the difference....Have you been to Floydada? Have you been to Pecos, to Sanderson, to any of those that don't have Main Street program? Rankin is dying, McCamey,, Monahans. Alpine has finally gotten one, and they're really starting to make that downtown beautiful again."
It should be noted that Monahans does have a Main Street program and such a program has been discussed for Pecos.
I felt this article was interesting in hearing what other people are saying about Pecos. Fort Stockton has more to work with in the way of money because of the oil industry there and it appears they have done a good job in many areas. We don't know the particulars.
Things are going on in Pecos and one thing we need as I've pointed out before in this space, is a more positive attitude.
Mac McKinnon is editor and publisher of the Pecos Enterprise. His column appears on Friday. He can be reached by e-mail: bigmac@bitstreet.com.
Such a facility would eventually create about 600 new jobs, something that is sorely needed in Pecos and this area.
We want to encourage everyone to help in any way possible to help persuade the powers that be in Austin to consider Pecos as the site for this new facility.
We feel that our proximity to the Pyote facility would be cost effective for the state as the two facilities could share resources.
In addition, the low cost of living would be attractive for employees moving to Pecos and the city has picked out an excellent site for the proposed youth correctional facility.
Many residents here have influence in certain areas and we ask that everyone use that influence in favor of the Pecos location. In addition, letters to Neal showing support for the proposal would also be helpful.
The application must be submitted by Oct. 3.
Pecos Enterprise
Mac McKinnon, Publisher
Division of Buckner News Alliance, Inc.
324 S. Cedar St., Pecos, TX 79772
Phone 915-445-5475, FAX 915-445-4321
e-mail: news@pecos.net
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