[K C Muffin]

Oh, ouch! The secret's out! Yeah, I worked there, but when Dick Fraley was there - so it's been a good long time ago. At the time, we were in the east half of the fire station building at Fifth and Spruce.

My thoughts....well, I have been keeping quiet because I really don't have much to add. Chambers of Commerce raise most of their money through membership dollars. If memory serves, most of the memberships in Dodge were from retail - there were some from other businesses, but for the most part, they were retail and hotel/motel.

So. When most of your income is from retail and hotel/motel, it just makes sense you would do what you could to increase tourism. Even if the town has gone to hell in a handbasket. Even if it means hiring a hot-shot writer to enhance the image online. It's pretty-much expected.

But. For every one of those complaints yws hears, there are at least 1 if not 2 history-oriented families going home feeling like they got their money's worth. Boot Hill is an enormous asset. Coupled with a nearby saloon/speak-easy/western-styled casino, there would be a goldmine for the traveling public. Only thing is, it's a dirty little town. Until you can bring some pressure to bear on the local employers to do more investigating before hiring, there's nothing to keep the illegals from finding jobs and settling down. Settling down unfortunately means Little Mexico. Dodge is too small to ignore it.

I feel bad for my home town. But it IS still my hometown and for that I will always love it and come back occasionally. I just might not drive my own car, cuz I really like the hubcaps!