[Weirs guy]

Its very interesting to read the opinions posted here. Now let me be clear right away, if no one ever stopped by the Weirs to visit again I'd be tickled pink, less hassle for me and I do not make a dime off tourism.

I find the notion that the Weirs has gone "bikeweek only" interesting (no bashing intended guys). For basically 2 weeks of the summer we host the biggest keg party in the north east, much to the dismay of most of the people I know. Once the week is over bike traffic basically disappears until early September (apparently they are as afraid of families as the families are of them) with families on vacation, daytrippers and teenagers filling the void.

The "run down" arcades could in fact use some sprucing up, although I find it interesting no one has mentioned the "run down" Mount building that could likewise use some paint. The new Lobster pound looks great, the old Elviros Pizza is being worked on, several of the veterans row houses have had/are having work done now, and the recently remodeled Crazy Gringo, refurbished General Store and newly built (and then rebuilt again!) Brookside are good examples of what a facelift can do, and these business owners should be rewarded.

But a Casino? Maybe, but lets not forget that those run down arcades are full of teenagers and young adults all week long. When a recession hits, as it is today, who will stop coming here first, adults who frequent the casino and have less disposable income, or teenagers who have nothing but disposable income?

Businesses for sale? Does anyone remember a time when they weren't? The Pier has been for sale for years, for more reasons then the recent recession. Waldo Peppers moving is not good for those of us here year round, but something will take its place (I'm sorry Pepper, we do love and will miss you). Remember when the water slide wasn't the water slide? How many cried the end of the Weirs when the HoJo's moved out? When Irwin stopped bringing in bands and those dang pinball machines moved in?

And yet here we are, armpit deep in tourists from the beginning of the season to the end. Could there be more? Of course. But lets not forget that we are currently in a time period where families have less disposable income, and business is down in other areas as well.

So, off my soap box and back to the point. I think there is progress being made, things are being "cleaned up" and refreshed. People will try new business ideas here, and some will succeed and some will fail. Its the nature of things here.

Hopefully we'll bump into some of you on the boardwalk this year, cause (much to my dismay) the people will still come.