Dear Editor,
I respectfully disagree with the PPB's plan to make Philipsburg a nighttime attraction. It misses the whole nub of the problem here – the cruise ships that provide the bulk of tourists.
Meals are included in the cruise, so everyone goes back to the ship rather than dine out in town. It keeps the town from having world class restaurants, and in general, there is little choice after 4:00pm, as most of them close for lack of tourists.
I have friends who toured half a dozen countries in the Baltic, and never once ate onshore, because everything was included onboard the ship. Needless to add, they were no good to me for recommendations when we stayed in the area ourselves. And so with Philipsburg.
What the PPB needs to do is negotiate with the cruise lines for some sort of voucher system, where passengers can eat in local restaurants at no charge with a voucher that the restaurant can submit for cash. That will also encourage stores to stay open, lights to stay on, and activity to increase.
Planters further reducing the walkability of the sidewalks, a white elephant Ferris wheel, a big ground sign that says Great Bay and a giant LED screen will not turn the tide. Mostly, they are additional annoying light pollution, which no one who lives here needs.
David Wineberg
Philipsburg
