Letter to the editor, county administrator, and county commissioners,
As I understand it:
Visit Cook County has put lots of our money into an effort to persuade tourists to come here to enjoy a wide variety of recreational opportunities. The EDA is funded to develop small businesses. Your commissioners put forth lots of effort, create policy, travel and spend money to help in attracting visitors. Up to this point everyone has been welcomed, no distinction on method, mode, or income.
The state DNR, federal Forest Service and the Minnesota Four Wheel Drive Association have put enormous energy into answering all questions and dealing with all the attempted road blocks being thrown up. Money has been set aside to help maintain roads, something the bicyclists have never done, yet expect it as their right. Money is available to cover a state administrator who will be able to deal with problems on this route.
B2B does not require the county to support it. So, what are you saying as our representatives, to the family who chooses this avenue of vacationing in Cook County: “Only those who ride a bike or live out of a backpack are welcome!”
Vehicle operators using this route are insured and licensed, something bicyclists have not seen – yet. That means these vehicle operators pay good money and do not need our permission to travel on these roads. Vehicle operators have rules and laws to obey; they get tickets and fines if they don’t obey these laws. When was the last time a bicyclist got a ticket for anything they did wrong?
And let’s talk about what damage a two-wheeled unit does to our earth compared to a four-wheeled unit. Check it out – the pressure per square inch (PSI) is much greater for bicycles than for cars. Pressure means compaction, erosion, little rivers and big puddles where none existed before. Have you ever looked at the Oregon Trail? Those wagons (skinny wheels by the hundreds) left a gouge that is visible today.
Our sheriff is concerned this will mean more work. Let’s consider this: every event asks more of everyone who tries to live and work here. If the B2B endorsement means more work, what will not endorsing it do to lighten his workload? NOT A THING.
In fact, it might mean even more work if you consider people getting lost because there are no signs telling them where to go for gas, food, sleep, or medical care. And what of the businesses or two that might get some visitors looking to spend money on food or gas? No one else seems to be putting out much effort for the out-of-way little guy.
Who do you think a B2B user is? An escaped convict in a monster truck tearing up the woods to go murder someone or a family with young kids out for an adventure off the beaten-up freeway full of billboards.
Remember that we have more good people than not. Let’s not exaggerate the slobs, careless, inconsiderate, and downright nasty people, unless you don’t want to let anyone visit here.
I believe what should be done is to acknowledge the uniqueness of this idea since it is what we are striving for. Be on the positive side of making it work and let those who oppose it have the direct line to the B2B state administrator.
Consider a positive response, help the naysayers realize they aren’t going to stop the B2B users, only add to our tax burden by messing up the funding and turning our visitors into sour, unhappy, and impatient people.
I wouldn’t want them at my table, would you?
Arvis Thompson
Cook County District 1
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