Let people make a clean living. I completely agree with Jan Hill’s response to the Mud Bay Events Petition now in the hands of the Assembly. “Why can’t we just live and let live? Have your parties. Have weddings. Let people make a living.”
I am a Mud Bay resident for 37 years who is wholeheartedly in support of marketing Haines as a weekend destination for events of all kinds. It is difficult to measure the hundreds of thousands of dollars that come into this community each season with our guests who come to Haines for the Brew Fest, the Fair, easily ten weddings a year and more. Many local businesses report substantial revenue increases. We badly need the clean jobs that these events support. They are Economic Drivers.
Hospitality is my art. After 25 years in the restaurant business, I served ten years on the Fair Board and worked countless weddings and events in this town as well as guiding with RGA for 12 years. Hosting events in the Chilkat Valley is a spiritual experience. Most of us love sharing the magnificence that we call home with people not so lucky to live here.
I know I have many neighbors who did not sign or regret signing the petition. I encourage all of us to attend the May 10th Borough Assembly meeting and support No Action on this petition. And/or write your assembly members on this issue. Live and Let Live.
Deborah Marshall