While I can appreciate the desire of the small but vocal minority of residents wishing to maintain their own personal access through one of the most beautiful roads I have ever seen, I believe they are being short-sighted in their opposition. The truth is, County NN presents many greater economic opportunities upon its closing than through its continued use carrying motor traffic.
New Glarus is at the hub of the bike trail system of Wisconsin, one of the very best in the country, and Rep. Brett Davis has spent a good deal of time, energy and Wisconsin taxpayer money enhancing those capabilities locally. By offering families a safe place to bike, in immediate proximity to the Sugar River Trail, we can turn New Glarus Woods State Park into a showcase of environmental and economic opportunity.
I don't have to remind the business people in this town of the dramatic economic drop-off now being experienced in the village. We need to be doing everything we can to attract more tourist dollars, not less, and make the most of the local resources available to us. I believe New Glarus Woods State Park can be an important part of that solution. It is my understanding that the DNR is willing to spend a good deal of money to improve the park, but such funding is contingent on the closure of the road. I also believe that is the first sensible decision I have ever heard from the DNR.
Imagine New Glarus at the forefront of an environmentally-conscious, long-term economic development plan, that actually will attract more business as fuel prices grow higher, and as people seek out local attractions as a way of spending time with their families, while getting away from it all, right here in New Glarus.
That is just the beginning. I can envision a future where NN will host open-air markets featuring the fresh goods of Green County farmers; be used for the benefit of all, and keep the money here in Green County rather than sending it all to Madison. In addition to the licensing revenue this can generate for the town, farmers will have a locally prominent and historic venue for selling their goods, offering the opportunity to reinvigorate local agriculture, providing opportunities for new or prospective farmers, renew long-term opportunities for farm families, and lessen our dependence on tourism as a primary source of revenue, simply by making the most of this one valuable local resource.
NN can be a road to the future, if only we will all put aside our petty personal desires for the sake of the common good.
New Glarus is at the hub of the bike trail system of Wisconsin, one of the very best in the country, and Rep. Brett Davis has spent a good deal of time, energy and Wisconsin taxpayer money enhancing those capabilities locally. By offering families a safe place to bike, in immediate proximity to the Sugar River Trail, we can turn New Glarus Woods State Park into a showcase of environmental and economic opportunity.
I don't have to remind the business people in this town of the dramatic economic drop-off now being experienced in the village. We need to be doing everything we can to attract more tourist dollars, not less, and make the most of the local resources available to us. I believe New Glarus Woods State Park can be an important part of that solution. It is my understanding that the DNR is willing to spend a good deal of money to improve the park, but such funding is contingent on the closure of the road. I also believe that is the first sensible decision I have ever heard from the DNR.
Imagine New Glarus at the forefront of an environmentally-conscious, long-term economic development plan, that actually will attract more business as fuel prices grow higher, and as people seek out local attractions as a way of spending time with their families, while getting away from it all, right here in New Glarus.
That is just the beginning. I can envision a future where NN will host open-air markets featuring the fresh goods of Green County farmers; be used for the benefit of all, and keep the money here in Green County rather than sending it all to Madison. In addition to the licensing revenue this can generate for the town, farmers will have a locally prominent and historic venue for selling their goods, offering the opportunity to reinvigorate local agriculture, providing opportunities for new or prospective farmers, renew long-term opportunities for farm families, and lessen our dependence on tourism as a primary source of revenue, simply by making the most of this one valuable local resource.
NN can be a road to the future, if only we will all put aside our petty personal desires for the sake of the common good.
