HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-05-17, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MAY 17, 2012.
Tourism Association is an
unsung hero says Cumming
Former councillor
encouraged by strategy
A whale of a tale
Courtney McBride of South Huron District High School
poses with her entry into the Huron County Youth Art Show.
Her piece, Orcas, was one of the top pieces at the show
which is on display at the Bainton Art Gallery at the Blyth
Centre for the Arts. The show finished its two-week run
today (May 17). (Denny Scott photo)
I was encouraged to read that
North Huron Deputy-Reeve Dave
Riach shared his personal opinion on
the Queen Street Revitalization
Strategy at a recent Blyth BIA
meeting (The Citizen Volume 28 No.
19). As one volunteer member of the
Blyth Idea Group, I am part of a
group of motivated stakeholders
who advocate for various projects,
including the Historic Village
branding initiative and Queen Street
signage. This public advocacy is
almost exclusively energized by
stakeholder time and resources – and
the strategic objective has always
been Queen Street revitalization. It’s
why we have slogged through the
various studies and reviews, and an
informative collaboration with the
University of Waterloo.
At every stage, we have turned to
respected experts for fresh eyes on
Blyth and how we may most
effectively leverage the community’s
opportunities. Along the way, we
had our opinions challenged and our
decisions influenced on the basis of
what works elsewhere, prevailing
best practices and forward-looking
strategies. It’s why we consult
outside the community, consider the
experience of others and challenge
ourselves to change.
Everything we do must be about
the role and relevance of Blyth in the
future. There is a conversation going
on in every progressive community
across North America, and each is
working to effect positive,
sustainable change. There will be
winners, whiners and losers –and if
given a choice, I vote for winning.
History tells us that every forward-
looking conversation will attract a
few agents of doom who will offer
many reasons why something will
not work/nothing will work, but
precious few solutions. It’s all part
of the process. And while opinions
do matter, the facts matter more.
Interested community stakeholders
will scrutinize the plans, look for
areas for even further improvement
and then we must fearlessly push for
the best possible outcome.
Last week, I had the opportunity to
tour main streets in Chemainus,
Duncan, Ladysmith and Nanaimo,
B.C. Each of these forward-looking
towns has recently completed
various main street/downtown
revitalization projects – and they all
feature the same elements: 1.
Efforts to slow traffic and enhance
pedestrian safety (widened
sidewalks, bump-outs, accessibility
ramps, changes in surface colour,
texture). 2. Energy efficient lighting
and tree-lined streets (several
communities installed receptacles at
the trunk to allow for Christmas and
seasonal lighting). 3. A consistent
branding/signage/ community
mapping strategy, and a coordinated,
thematic approach to storefront
façade construction, colours, etc.
Beyond these elements, these
communities also featured walking
trails and places for public assembly
(typically on main street).
Ladysmith (population 7,000) has
received several provincial and
national awards for its revitalization
efforts, including special honours for
heritage, and selection as one of the
10 Prettiest Towns in Canada. The
once quiet town has rediscovered its
confidence and is growing.
Closer to home, I recently toured
the main street of Gravenhurst,
Ontario, and observed that its new
main street (subject to snowfall and
the removal that goes with it) also
includes efforts to slow traffic and
enhance pedestrian safety –
including bump-outs. It seems that
after nine years of effort, Blyth is on
the right track. Not because the
Blyth Idea Group says so, but
because the evidence says so.
May we have the confidence to get
behind the Blyth Revitalization
Strategy, the enterprise to sustain our
local economy, and the staying
power to advocate for Blyth and the
people who call this home.
Steven Sparling.
THE EDITOR,
Re: The ‘Behind the Scenes’
Secret to the Successful Promotion
of Tourism in Huron County
To the Tourism Operators and
People of Huron County,
The Huron Tourism Association
(HTA) started about 20 years ago as
a seed of an idea. That seed has
since established firm roots and has
grown strong branches of marketing
and promotion to bring visitors and
guests to Huron County. This
member-supported, industry
organization continues to work hard
and strategically to show our visitors
the attractions, experiences and
natural beauty that we in Huron
County already know so well.
How has this organization of
entrepreneurial tourism businesses
been able to grow tourism to
Ontario’s West Coast? Thousands of
volunteer hours, passionate and
tireless advocates, and the support of
Huron County Council, which
understands that tourism is one of
the pillars of economic development
(along with agriculture,
manufacturing, and cultural
industries). This partnership of
volunteers, county, and hard-
working businesses have all
contributed to the award-winning
branding, culinary tourism and
events, international, nation-wide,
and province-wide media coverage
of our attractions and experiences,
and all the other web, print,
broadcast, social media and other
tools that we are using to let the
world know what we have to offer.
The tourism businesses in this
county have a volunteer board of
directors working hard, and bringing
a lot of collective marketing
expertise, to show tourists and
guests the gem that is Huron
County. We are excited about the
resources, ideas and vision available
through our partnership with
Regional Tourism Organization 4
(Huron County, Perth County,
Waterloo Region and Wellington
County). We are working in
partnership with tourism attractions
and business organizations adjacent
to the county, and in every part of
Huron County, and every gateway to
Ontario’s West Coast.
The scale of success of Huron
County’s tourism industry would not
have been possible without the
talent and dedication of the staff
members of Huron County’s
Planning and Development
Department.
Words cannot capture the
dedicated contribution for many
years, and commitment to tourism
and economic development, of staff
member Cindy Fisher. She may be
quiet and unassuming in demeanour
but she is connected,
knowledgeable, professional,
committed to growth in Huron
County, and one of the bright lights
in strategic planning. Together with
her obvious passion for Huron
County and the people around her,
she continues to be an inspiration to
those that know her. This was
particularly evident during the
months following the F3 tornado
which hit Goderich and Benmiller
and area.
One of her most significant
contributions is the team she and the
county have built around her. Skilled
tourism marketer Jenna Ujiye, and
Brittany Frye, together with Cindy,
Marie McGuire, and a number of
staff and volunteers, displayed their
talents at the HTA’s Annual Tourism
Event and Brochure Swap. This year
the event was graciously hosted by
the Township of North Huron at the
Wescast Community Complex in
Wingham and the level of expertise
and dedication were evident by the
flawless delivery of another
Feature
SPECIAL
G ODERICH TOYOTA
2007 Buick Allure
CX 3.8L, V6, local trade in, power
seat, PW PDL PM, Cruise, 1 owner,
extra clean, 55,000kms
$10,495 Plus Tax
*Denotes Former Daily Rental
2003 4 Runner
SR5, 4.7 l, V8, sunroof, AM FM CD
& Cassett, PW PDL PM, Cruise.
Check this out
$10,995 Plus Tax
2007 Toyota Camry
Economical 4 cyl. automatic, A/C,
PW PDL PM, Cruise, AM FM CD &
More. Excellent value
$11,995 Plus Tax
GODERICHTOYOTA.COM
GODERICHTOYOTA.COM
GO
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
G
O
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
G
O
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
G
O
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
G
O
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
G
O
D
E
R
I
C
H
T
O
Y
O
T
A
.
C
O
M
524-9381 1-800-338-1134
Hours for Sales Mon to Wed 9-8, Thurs & Fri 9-6, Sat 9-4.
346 HURON ROAD, GODERICH
Letters to the Editor
Have A New Addition?
Call for prices and details
519-523-4792 or 519-887-9114
Let everyone know about
your new bundle of joy!
The Citizen
BUY? SELL?
TRY CLASSIFIED
Continued on page 23