Monday, March 7, 2016

Howard Smith's "Follow up on my Friday letter to Board members"


 Dear Board Members 
After reading Vito’s Blog, It has come to my attention that my email to you was disseminated outside the organization, and while there is no expectation of privacy regarding emails, it was disheartening to realize that at least one member here has a position that is not supportive of the work that the KPAA does for the community. Although I would have appreciated this board member speaking to the board directly about their concerns so we could discuss it together, I stand by my letter. As President of the KPAA, I should be and am passionate about the work we do. It is no secret that a candidate for the Killington select board is vehemently opposed to our organization and the work we have accomplished. We need to be just as committed to safeguarding it as they are bent on destroying it. KPAA is comprised of volunteers both in the town community, Killington Resort and the business community. It was developed with the sole purpose of improving our local economy by working together on projects and not duplicating expenses, NOT lining the pockets of its members, which is the unspoken tact taken by people who support this candidate. We have a responsibility to ourselves and to the community to correct any misinformation and untruths about who we are and what we do. The fact is that the KPAA has had a positive impact on the town of Killington and to reverse what has been accomplished would be a travesty. We hired a Consultant to come to our Town 5 years ago and we have followed his advice on establishing the KPAA as other resort towns such as Vail and Lake Tahoe had successfully done. Other resort towns in Vermont now speak about following our lead. Again we should be proud of our accomplishments and not hide from them by being too politically correct. I would like the board member who decided to pass this email on to get in touch with me and I would gladly accept their resignation if they do not support our actions and accomplishments.  
Howard Smith 802 236 7900

Comment: There is nothing unspoken about about me stating that the KPAA is lining the pockets of a few businessmen. I stated that outright in my comments when I posted the original email Howard is referring to. While there is a little hyperbole there, the KPAA is an organization dedicated to improving the local economy which translates into more profit for businesses. Whose businesses profit the most is certainly debatable but not that KPAA promotes the profitability of them.
 I'm not sure if it was the KPAA or its prior iteration the Killington Chamber, who hired the "Consultant" whose advice Howard is touting but my clearest memory is that he wrote, while sitting in Bill's Country Store's parking lot across from the 10 foot "Killington" sign he did not know where he was.
Howard's desire to out the transgressor who he deems to be part of his organization smacks of gestapo tactics in running his organization. Why does he think it's one of his own? Like he says, "there is no expectation of privacy."
I'm glad Howard is standing by his statements - that's as it should be - he is standing up for what he thinks is best for his organization. I in turn respond because I don't think supporting his organization with direct subsidies is best for the town of Killington. But Howard should be making these statements in a public forum, not trying to hide them, so everyone knows where he and the KPAA stand.
The businesses comprising the KPAA should be financing the organization. We've had enough quixotic economic development schemes in this town i.e. the golf course, which have plunged the town into deep debt. 
We have significant upcoming financial needs in the town, library roof, new fire station, pool replacement, golf course irrigation system, not to mention the regular road maintenance and reconstruction. The town needs to maintain its assets and the KPAA needs to finance itself.
 I applaud Howard's and the KPAA's efforts to improve their member's profitability, I just don't agree with publicly financing a private organization when the town has limited resources to meet other needs.
Vito 
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