PAST HAUNTS MARYSVILLE BID MEET

As reported yesterday, the Marysville BID met at local eatery to elect a new board and to try and get all of the merchants united in efforts to improve image and promote business growth.

My dears, this old geezer had video and still camera at the ready, had snaps of attendees and most interesting video. What unfolded at the gathering did not lend itself to this report. Having no wish to offend or embarrass anyone, went with this filmed bit from a very popular Broadway play, turned into a film. If you listen to the bit as you read, you might catch me drift.

The China Moon Restaurant was scene of the BID meet, a large section of was reserved for the meeting but there was still room for the general public to come in and eat. Having been told that no guests were allowed to attend, this old geezer made way to restaurant and purchased own meal and watched as the drama unfolded.

Many of the business owners are known to this old geezer. How grand it was to see so many in one place, with much ALOHA spirit in the air. One could clearly see that many were of the hope that the ill winds of the past had completely blown away and it was to be a fresh new beginning.

The meeting opened on time with a greeting from Brenda, new president hopeful, who begged all to dig into the lovely meal offered and get to know one another and get comfy for the business part of the meet to follow. No one needed any more encouragement, the queue of hungry folks snaked past the table where MOI sat and offered the opportunity to chat with many as they past.

The spirit of ALOHA was tested by late arrivals who did not need food to warm selves, they had arrived with much liquid nourishment already taken, to be added to by endless stream of bottles of more beer.

Much was made of all merchants being treated 'with respect', the past was dead, and it was a new beginning. Were I to play the video, one would clearly hear that the past was not dead and 'respect' was not an equal virtue applied to all merchants by one another. Bad form was displayed by the alcohol-fueled behaviour of some and added to by short fuse of new leadership.

The ghost of 'Christmas past' was hellbent on haunting 'Christmas present', there is no other way to describe it. Sadly, in the interest of trying to seem 'fair', the bad behaviour was allowed to go on and on and on.

A new board was formed, that event providing more drama for the evening. The past is not forgot, and notice was served that some of the merchants would be called upon in future to settle up past bills. Flexing powerfully, Brenda allowed that in the coming days, she would not declare amnesty and had strong views on unpaid dues.

Brenda acted very much the politician last night. She was clever enough to tell the gathered, that she had attended a meeting at Silly Hall and found the denizens there to be right open and receptive to BID efforts. Even went so far as to allow that Chief of Police Wallace Fullerton has a special place in heart for BID. Fancy that.

Given the learning curve, one should not have thought the meeting was going to be slick and polished. Truth be told, it was anything but. Lacking polish did not take away the very real feeling of hope in the room last night. One could see on the faces of many of the merchants, real desire to try and make Marysville a more brilliant place to be. A powerful desire on the part of many present to be a part of a fresh new beginning. A real "Band of Brothers".

I am not a member of the BID, and after last night, doubt that would want to be. I came away from the meeting with the thought that the BID is NOT relevant. Not relevant to how goes the fortunes of businesses on D Street or any other road for that matter. Not relevant to the future of Marysville. In short, the BID is 'much ado about nothing'.

Standing on pavement, having a 'gasp' with other attendees, one heard comments that proved me point. One local merchant told of his business doing well on the INTERNET, that a storefront on D Street was not going to make or break him. He also went on to tell that he had got the rights to 'Historic Downtown Marysville' and was soon to start blogging under that heading. Mind, the chap was not being mean, just clever.

One also met up with the loud and bombastic past of the BID. This old geezer was asked if he remembered meeting this personage. I did indeed. One year later and there is no pleasure being near. The funny thing about alcohol-fuelled bad behaviour is that it always travels in twos and threes. If one is going to play the fool, it helps to have a cheering section. Many beers were had by a few.

The 'colourful' past of the BID went on to tell, that were it not for HE, and HE alone, there would be no Friday Farmers Market. Fancy that.

My dears, truth be told, the businesses on D Street that matter are not going to shutter doors. There are shops that have added to the value of the shopping experience in the past and will continue to do so. Special folks that they be, they do not need the BID to tell them what needs to be done to promote the city of Marysville. They already do that. There is much LOVE of neighbour on 'high street' and have no doubt that that love will continue to be felt by any and all who want to improve conditions Downtown. Even the clever chap who gains much from online business, tells that what truly matters to him is the joy of seeing his family a part of a very special place.

This old geezer was not the only 'fly on the wall' last night. Nancy Pasternak was also there. I have no doubt that I saw one side of the pancake and she saw another. Will be curious to see her take on the gathering. Very Interesting...