LETTER: Where’s New Richmond’s pride?

To the Editor:

We are sending a thank-you to so many people who helped to make this St. Patrick’s Day the best the town has seen. In particular, thanks to the Grand Marshal family of Mitchells, the parade marshals, the NRPD for their cooperation and helpful presence, to the clans who gather every year to walk/ride through the parade, to those who brought exotic animals, equipment or unusual units to keep things interesting, and to the excellent staff at the Shamrock.

Also, especially the on-lookers, who estimated 4,500 on the streets. It was grand to see so many children. And we thank the generosity of Cox Motor Sales, The Old Saloon (Jill Miller) and Fast Freddie’s for contributions, as well as some from private parties. And we’d like to thank the New Richmond News for their coverage of the event.

For every occasion there is some bad with the good. In gaining population, we often lose the tight-knit feeling between downtown entrepreneurs. We may be big enough for Wal-Mart but we have a Chamber so excited to get a beer license for every event they sponsor that they forget to financially help with a parade that has become bigger than Fun Fest and on-going for 34 years. We have many excellent downtown bar/restaurants but except for Jill, no one is ever able to commit to a donation or sponsorship of the paid parade units. Yes, they sell buttons sometimes, but they keep the money, and have even returned unsold buttons the day of the parade. We have two large grocery stores which often brag about “giving so much back to the community” but they do nothing to bring the crown to town by helping with a donation on St. Patrick’s Day.

This city was built on sewing pieces of fabric together to provide a quilt of great future for all who came here to live and earn their way. Let’s not forget the decades when the summer community event was put on by all businesses who gave time, money, supplies or manpower to make Corn Festival and the Centennial celebrations still memorable to those old enough to recall them. It was a matter of pride they felt. Just read the Heritage New Richmond history books to conjure up what New Richmond has become since the horrific tornado. To keep things in the correct perspective, it’s about pride, not greed.

Maribeth Driscoll

St. Patrick’s Parade Committee

Tags: letters to the editor, opinion