Let's rebuild the downtown core

I certainly agree with Gerry Curry (letter to the editor Jan. 2) that our downtown business district looks like it's down on its heels.

The retail sector in the downtown is shrinking as we see more retail stores close. How many more are there to come? I have noticed on a few of these empty buildings signs that now say office space for rent.

Main Street, in my opinion, is not a very welcoming place. For a moment picture yourself as a tourist who has never been to Yarmouth. You are on the Cat coming up the harbour. What's your first impression? Now you get off the boat, drive up to Main Street, turn left onto Main Street. What's your first impression...An impression that will cause you to continue on your travels. We had the Acadian Congress here with no welcome signs or flags on Main Steet. In fact I am sure you could not find one in Yarmouth. What about driving into Yarmouth on the 101, 103, Hwy. 3 or Hwy. 1. Nope, no signs there welcoming you to Yarmouth. As a matter of fact there is no sign on Starrs Road that directs our tourists to the 103. I think there may have been one in the past across from Home Hardware.

So what the heck is our town doing? Suggesting we look into passing a bylaw to ban our dogs from the downtown or wasting time looking at banning cars from idling too long. What they should be doing is cleaning up the Main Street and make it look welcoming to our travellers. Got a problem with vandals, put up cameras, every other town has done so, or are looking at doing it. It's time our town council looked at it too. The town has spent many dollars putting up lampposts so why not put up Canadian flags and the town of Yarmouth flag on every post. I know a couple of years ago the Rotary club was approached to take part in signs at the town entrances. Let's get that going again and bring it to completion.

Spend a little money on the downtown and you will attract businesses and that will attract the tourists to stay awhile. Take a trip over to Bar Harbor in the summer and see how they treat their tourists, and how they have built a great Main Street.

Let's put out the welcome mat and rebuild the downtown core.

Ken Wheelans,

Yarmouth