Rustic tranquility or utter chaos?
Dear Editor:
Are any other store owners disgruntled with the excessive noise, parking and driving chaos on weekends? What about your loss of normal revenue on weekends? Do you really like the idiotic graffiti? Do you enjoy so much alcohol being offered on the street? There was a time not too long ago when churches outnumbered the bars. Not so any longer.
We need a Chamber of Commerce again and a real human mayor to discuss grievances at the Riverside County court.
I am grateful to Idyllwild for all of the years of peace and tranquility on our weekends. However, I fear it is gone forever unless we, the like-minded brick and mortar business owners and downtown residents whom have been disturbed as well by this take back control of what will be allowed, not Riverside permit department. I truly hope I’m correct, and many more than myself feel this way. If not, we are doomed as a tranquil place to visit on weekends. So speak out now against the alcohol-fueled chaos that is so pervasive on weekends.
The drinking begins at noon. Then they are on our curvy mountain roads DUI. Local sheriff and CHP might make a note of this fact. Some well-placed citations may help to avoid a crash waiting to happen.
Having permits neither forgives nor excuses any of this, in my opinion. Tourism money should be appropriated to the brick and mortar store owners, not promoters, pop-up vendors, or food trucks or trailers.
Idyllwild is not the fair, carnival or swap meet. We brick and mortar owners have worked 365 and 24/7 for many years to create what this town has become. No pics of transient set ups have ever been used to promote this beautiful place.
It is time to stand up and create a Chamber of Commerce, elect a mayor, incorporate and hire a police department. The Sheriff’s Department can’t handle it. I am Mountain Mike, the resident “Mountain Man” of Idyllwild with 46 years here. No one else carries this moniker, as I proudly do 40 years of which I have had my own business. This is not the last word.
Mike Allen
Idyllwild
