Thank you, Jeff, for the funniest headline I’ve seen in a long time – I can’t help laughing every time I see it.
Thanks. Sharon O’Hara

Biznews, I think I hear you saying that Griffin is right about this issue, but may not be the right person for the job at the VCB. That sounds reasonable. But will whomever is hired at the VCB be directed by the VCB Board to take the direction of marketing to Kitsap vice marketing to those on the I-5 corridor?

Regards,
Kathryn Simpson

It does take alot of planning for the tournaments and those involved in the sports world should be at the forefront of the planning.

As for us now-we are in a a new direction of the youth sports world that also includes promotional advertising. We have a home-based business who offer team jersey’s at a far reduced cost from that of larger apparel/screenprinting based business.

We can still give back to the community while we approach our “Senior” years and keep the business in Kitsap County and Washington State.

Biznews:
I don’t know Grant Griffin and don’t know if in fact he’s a lightning rod for controversy, as you said. It may well have been a good thing if the board asked for his resignation. And maybe that’s what happened, with the story created to give Griffin an out.

But the real question still is this: What sense does it make to market Kitsap tourism in Kitsap to Kitsap residents? Is that the next level of effectiveness? Market Kitsap to Kitsap residents and stop trying to bring tourism dollars in from outside the boundary of the county?

I don’t see the brilliance in that move.

— Jeff Brody

Griffin had the right idea but no back-up from his committee. I hope he starts his own PR firm – hotels and motels in Kitsap need his help. The company he left should not be supported with tax dollars.
Sharon O’Hara

And while he has done some good things, Griffin has been a lightening rod for controversy for years. His management of the organization along with his arrogant unwillingness to respond to the needs of his members and the directives of his board have been the focus of criticism for years, and have a lot to do with the lack of funding support for the group in recent years.

In my view, it was way past time for a change. With the right leadership, the VCB canl go to the next level in terms of effectiveness and financial support. Had Griffin stayed, things would have gotten progressively worse, not better.

The hotels and motels would probably pay him well to get visitors to visit and rent a room.

Residents live here and most of us have our own beds.

Soccer and sport complex is a great idea and it should encompass bike and trike racing as well as a venue for a horse jumping competition…and biking/walking paths throughout Kitsap County.
Cyclists would make such a place prime vacation spots and most stay in hotels/motels…not tents.

The “Taking Money From Visitors to Attract Ourselves?” can only come from a organization without purpose…if tax dollars go toward it… they shouldn’t. We won’t get our money’s worth.
Sharon O’Hara

What would attract me to make a hotel reservation in any of several places along the I-5 corridor? Many things… tournament weekends for sports, multi-day conferences, a get-away from the routine, destination shopping opportunities (not often, but it happens), to name a few. In fact, I spend between 10-20 nights a year at hotels in Western Washington, but never in Kitsap County.

So, I tend to agree that attracting folks to Kitsap from the I-5 corridor is a far more lucrative potential than attracting Kitsap folks to spend the night at a local hotel.

For what it is worth, I wish Kitsap County would do more in building first class recreation complexes to attract regular youth and adult sports tournaments. Take the math on a good soccer tournament that could attract 100 teams at various levels… 100 teams x 16 kids (and their families) = 1600 kids. Say 50% are local and 50% are teams from other regional areas. 50 teams x 16 families x $300 spent locally over the weekend per family = $240,000 coming into the local economy over the weekend and then going home. At 8% tax, that is $19,200 going into local tax coffers and $220,800 going into the local economy. Fifty such tournaments a year (at various venues across Kitsap County) would bring in $12,000,000 to the local economy.

My kids participate in three sports. Soccer, basketball, and baseball. $300 in a weekend, for a tournament, is a low-end figure.

Just my thoughts.

Regards,
Kathryn Simpson