Just minutes after our Thursday story, "Balloon rally's fate up in the air," was posted online, the comments started coming in. People want the annual balloon rally to continue this summer in Monroe.
As well they should. The first poster, "Monroe Local," may have put it best by saying, "I like waking up to the balloons overhead in the morning." Other posters pointed out the aesthetic and financial benefits to the community of having a balloon rally.
The healthy show of support in comments is reflective of the event's value to Monroe and its surrounding communities. There is a desire to keep the balloon rally event going.
But it will take more than hopes and wishes, of course. As Pam Christopher, the new director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out, the event lost $8,000 last year. That's not chump change.
But it's also not an insurmountable challenge to make up the difference. Christopher and the Chamber's board are doing the right thing by making the event's plight a public discussion, and mining for more financial support. The board is looking at ways to save money, and to see if there are new sponsors. Christopher said the board wants to make its decision sooner than later on the balloon rally's fate.
A couple of online posters offered interesting ideas for raising funds for the rally. If you have an idea, or just want to voice your support for the event, visit our online site and submit a comment. In cases such as this, community solutions are the best solutions.
As well they should. The first poster, "Monroe Local," may have put it best by saying, "I like waking up to the balloons overhead in the morning." Other posters pointed out the aesthetic and financial benefits to the community of having a balloon rally.
The healthy show of support in comments is reflective of the event's value to Monroe and its surrounding communities. There is a desire to keep the balloon rally event going.
But it will take more than hopes and wishes, of course. As Pam Christopher, the new director of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry, pointed out, the event lost $8,000 last year. That's not chump change.
But it's also not an insurmountable challenge to make up the difference. Christopher and the Chamber's board are doing the right thing by making the event's plight a public discussion, and mining for more financial support. The board is looking at ways to save money, and to see if there are new sponsors. Christopher said the board wants to make its decision sooner than later on the balloon rally's fate.
A couple of online posters offered interesting ideas for raising funds for the rally. If you have an idea, or just want to voice your support for the event, visit our online site and submit a comment. In cases such as this, community solutions are the best solutions.
