Local businesses are not at odds with rest of town

Re: Mr. Vaile's recent letter, I'll respond to one point in particular, specifically, that a local politician who "represents the interests of ... tourist-dependent business owners does so at the expense of representing students, service workers and the nuts and bolts people of the community." The disconnect here is breathtaking.

I suggest that Vaile can disabuse himself of his notion that the interests of the local business owners are at odds with those of the community by simply walking around Ashland. He'll notice the number of "Go Grizzlies" and school activity posters, and the litter of fliers and posters advertising other businesses, public events and cultural activities. These fliers bring nothing to the store owner who posts them.

A recurring activity Vaile won't notice in his walk is students asking merchants for support for all of the teams, clubs, trips and projects that can't be funded by the schools. The number of requests is astonishing, and they are overwhelmingly honored, usually without much more acknowledgment than a mumbled "thanks" from the flustered students.

Vaile should know that many merchants are, first and foremost, parents. Accordingly, they invariably vote to pass the school activity levies and the library bond; they work to raise funds or donate material for the likes of the YMCA and skateboard park; and, they voluntarily serve on the school, community and city committees and boards without which this community can't function.

Finally, Vaile should tune in to KSOR and SOPT during membership drives. The range and size of donations that the local merchants make to these fundraisers is staggering.

To view the shop owners as robber barons who only show up to count their money at the end of the day then disappear without a trace to their mountaintop villas, rapaciously indifferent to the community below, is to hopelessly misunderstand the warp and woof of this town and doom any hopes Vaile has of realizing his social programs.

John Gaffey

Ashland