--- In AsburyPark@yahoogroups.com, "bluebishop82" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I will make one point now based upon your post though. Assuming > your Liberty Bell scenario, where the Pony doesn't make a profit but > draws tourists to the town, who then will own and operate a business > that loses money for the purpose of bringing in tourists so others > can make money? You, Mr. Rockefeller?
If I had the financial strength to buy the Pony, it's liquor license, and it's legacy back in 1999 for the asking price of $400,000, Dominic would have had a bidding war on his hands. If I remember correctly, since that deal was signed in Feb '99, Bruce has had 3 world tours, 5 annual series of Holiday concerts in Asbury, 2 new studio albums, 2 concert DVDs, 2 Live Albums, and a Compilations album. Would you agree that SOME people came to Asbury Park to see the Pony because of Bruce? You think all these people would have flocked to Ole's instead? Using the Liberty Bell example, again, I can list dozens of businesses that draw tourists to towns that aren't getting their fair cut of the pie. With apologies to a respected poster on this board, I believe there is an author's restored house in Asbury Park that fits this category. Did you ever buy a piece of art, or even better, get an autograph of someone you admired? Did you do this because you expected it to go up in value? I have autographs of about 50 baseball players from a trip to Hank Aaron's enshrinement in Cooperstown in the early 80s, and I could care less what they are worth. (Hmmm..I even remember fondly the day my Dad drove me 8 hours up into Nowhere, NY. Wow...nice racket Cooperstown has going). To me my autographs are a connection to the past, a reminder that I met Joe DiMaggio & Ted Williams, who both retired 20 years before I was born, and got a smile from them. They are not for sale. They are scribblings on cardboard to some people on this board, they are goldmines to some others on this board, but they are mementoes of MY childhood, not theirs. > > Also, considering Werner's post, wherein the new plan is concededly > residential and not for tourists (absolutely correct, and the point > most lost on people like Save Tillie, etc.), your concern for > attracting tourists is misplaced. Our concern is a year-round > economy supported by Monmouth County towns (a population larger and > wealthier than Boston). > And yet Boston has denied the Red Sox plans 5 years ago of tearing down Fenway Park & rebuilding a modern 60,000 baseball stadium. What the heck are those Bostonians thinking??? They'd increase ratables by 50% just from shoving more people in their to watch the Red Sox lose. Just because we are larger & wealthier, doesn't necessarily make us smarter. History will judge that. > The Pony can stay or go and it won't make a bit of difference to the > redevelopment of Asbury Park. > I disagree about the bit of difference. The Pony staying means the difference between the other businesses surviving or ridiculously thriving. You grew up in Asbury Park, so you probably know who Arthur Pryor was. I have no freaking clue who he is, and if you told me he was Richard's dad, I'd believe you. You take away that bandshell, and Arthur Pryor fades away with the memories of the Greatest Generation & Trivial Pursuit players. I remember the day an Asbury Park Historian (who certifies these people anyways?) who also runs a law practice told me the story of the Mayfair being torn down. I think the Mayfair would have an easier job of seperating this tourist from his suburban cash than an antique shop or an ethnic restaurant. You take away the Pony, and my kids (who in all likelihood will think Bruce is a dork just because their dad listens to him) have absolutely no reason to visit Asbury Park instead of Bradley Beach in 20 years. There's no hope of any amusements aside from an arcade, so the City has already lost the under 16 crowd. This Redevelopment is sacrifiicing Asbury's future revenue streams in return for a quick fix solution to make the town not appear empty. > There I said it. The Pony doesn't matter. Ok, please make a single > file line to beat me up. Don't all pile on at once. It's called an opinion, and personally I respect it, even if I disagree with it. ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Get fast access to your favorite Yahoo! Groups. Make Yahoo! your home page http://us.click.yahoo.com/dpRU5A/wUILAA/yQLSAA/Y2tolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AsburyPark/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
