I agree that a monstrosity of a water park on our shore is a terrible idea. I was thrilled, and not surprised to find that the Puller Group pulled out. I do not, however, agree that tourism is a bad thing.

A town as beautiful and idyllic as Port Clinton should be shared and flaunted. I challenge you to name an area of our country as wonderful that has not been visited by travelers. This is not something that should be considered pitiful. This is something that makes our town desirable to others in Ohio and neighboring states.

Tourism is a huge industry, and when done properly, can create well-paying jobs and bring a community together. If the children of Port Clinton are well educated they need not rely on menial jobs. They can become entrepreneurs and capitalize on the tourist industry, become educators of our youth, healthcare workers for our families or successful citizens in a myriad of other fields.

If these children grow up and move away after school, it is more likely that they yearn to live in a bigger city than that they just can not find work. If they choose to remain uneducated they will not find good work anywhere, let alone here in Port Clinton.

There is absolutely nothing that can be done to keep the tourists away from this gem. I suggest that a move to a less frequented, inland town to those that just cannot seem to stand friendly strangers that visit for a few months of the year. Let us use the tourists' money to repave our roads and improve on the waterfront.

Let us try and promote local businesses and allow them to grow and thrive with the seasonal tourists and locals.

It is not tourism that is slowly smothering this industry, it is the greedy businesses, like Wal-Mart that come to a town and undercut all that the locals are trying to do in their own shops. Locals that shop at Wal-Mart are part of the problem. This store did not come to town bringing high-paying jobs. It brought low wages, long hours and poor working conditions.

Let us cease with the negativity that spreads so easily throughout the town and embrace what we have. Wishing for a past we cannot recapture is futile. We need to look to the future and promote the joy of living in a small, lakeside town. We are the envy of many.

You Go Larry!
Having spent almost 25yrs in Port Clinton and raised 2 sons there. I agree with Larry, there is NO work there.
Both of my sons have move to other areas of the county
( Richmond,Virginia & Huron, Ohio, along with myself (West Palm Beach,Florida).
Larry, you stated Port Clinton has turned into a tourist town. But I always remember it as a tourist town. Remember Gem Beach Beach,
Edgar's,Phil's Inn trips. And of course the back room of Travlers Inn.
( Heard the tourist even found Bell Mell!) I remember you even tried to sell gas to "Those Tourist's" for their boats, behind the Fish Company. Which I understand is gone, too. SO Port Clinton has always been a tourist town, Larry . Fishing in the Summer. Fishing in the Winter. Fishing Fishing Fishing. Swimming in the quarry's in Mablehead with kids from all over. I agree the tourist do bring in greedy money but Port CLinton has always been there. From the early turn of the century moon shine runs, to today, trying to keep up with the demands of the tourist.
Sometimes change is good. If done in the right way. Larry step back and look. Do you really think Port Clinton is going to change. I DON"T think so. Counicl and the people of Port CLinton should read the book " Who Moved My Cheese" by Spencer Johnson. It changed my life
and I have plenty of cheese down here in sunny warm FLorida.

Port CLinton will always try to sit on the porch with the big dogs!

Patti B.
West Palm Beach,Florida