Editor:
I read with total amazement comments by Dr. Riddle (Coast Reporter, April 4) in relation to The George proposal.
Having been on a major tourism board in Australia and also as a restaurant owner and property developer, I truly find her assumptions to be so amazing that I just have to question her motives for producing what I see as a biased, anti-report.
The George's economic success, or failure, will lay with the investors and any lenders - all of whom I trust more than Dr. Riddle as all involved will have done their due diligence as it is their money at risk.
The George has the potential to be Gibsons golden egg. Will Gibsons survive without The George? Yes it will, however it will not thrive. If we do not improve the situation then we go backwards. We will continue to see our young adults leave the Coast seeking employment elsewhere.
A short walk around Lower Gibsons in winter will tell the story - businesses are closed or on very limited winter hours, and when they are open they are doing minimal sales. Just ask them.
A facility such as The George will for sure be marketed all year, bringing in new visitors with new dollars creating much needed economic benefit. As a very frequent traveller (more than 150 nights per year) I very rarely eat where I sleep, as is true of most travellers. We spend money in surrounding businesses.
Golden eggs are hard to come by. Gibsons needs to grab this goose by the neck and make sure it does not go elsewhere.
Greg Giles
Roberts Creek
