Rick Wiedenhoeft
Dear editor:
It was very disheartening to read the editorial, “Buzz crucial,” in the July 11 edition of the Fort Frances Times, citing the lack of ‘buzz” generated by volunteers who put in months of preparation and hard work.
You may have intended your editorial to be helpful advice, but it came across as harmful criticism.
Many committees operate on a very limited—sometimes non-existent—budget. Let me speak specifically on the “Tug of War” committee, of which I have been a member for six years.
This committee had no approved budget from council. We did receive minimal funds from council’s Public Relations account, so our hand was out constantly asking for freebies or seeking goods and services at cost price.
We do our best to talk it up locally on both Fort and Falls radio stations, but we cannot afford to extend our “buzz” beyond our communities.
Do not expect council to re-direct scant funds from essential services—sewer and water, roads, equipment purchases, and police and fire protection—to advertising. I simply won’t happen in tough economic times.
In a June editorial, you encouraged volunteerism, noting how essential volunteers are for the success of community events. Now in your July editorial, you criticize those of us who do volunteer our time and effort for not doing, what you consider, an essential part of the job.
Let me suggest two options for the editor:
1. Going forward, approach all committees for significant community events with a proposal to fund a regional, interprovincial, and international publicity campaign to widen our “buzz.”
Or
2. Take over the chairmanship of the “Tug of War” committee, or any other major community event in Fort Frances, and use your position, influence, and pulpit to extend our “buzz” beyond our borders.
Sincerely yours,
Rick Wiedenhoeft,
“Tug of War”
volunteer,
Fort, Frances, Ont.
