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McCook Gazette
Letter to the Editor

Whitewashed?

Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Dear Editor,

I read your editorial concerning putting German back in the Heritage. Day celebration.

I have wondered why we call the celebration Heritage Days considering that no heritage is celebrated with this McCook celebration. The only float that had any heritage affiliated with it was for Mexican Americans. No other ethnic group was represented.

The McCook Chamber of Commerce has for the most part removed any heritage theme from the celebration.

They have turned it into another celebration of the businesses in town. The chamber has for all purpose whitewashed the celebration. The chamber should call it McCook Business Parade and Celebration. I will never forget Caseys Pizza Man walking down the parade route.

Class reunions seem to be popular parade participant's and school bands from the region should stay in the parade. Businesses should not be a major factor in the parade.

I would like to see the heritage theme returned to the celebration. But it should consist of all the people and their cultures that made for me a city that I enjoy living in. Maybe next year we can try a true heritage theme celebration.

Steven Lenhart

McCook, Nebraska

Comments
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  • Business is what provides the people that watch the parade jobs. Business makes the major donations to the various community foundations. Businesses are the ones that make the donations to the Chamber of Commerce that organizes the Heritage Days activities. Business support the schools through taxes and donations. I am proud of the businesses in McCook and thank them for their support of the community and of their participation in the parade and Heritage a Days. Thanks Chamber for another great Heritage Days celebration.

    -- Posted by dennis on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 5:22 PM

  • Maybe you should call it "Business Appreciation Days" Denny? After all, they are the only ones that pay taxes and support the schools!

    Well OK then!!!!

    -- Posted by SWNEvacuee on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 10:16 PM

  • Surprised you didn't get a plug in for MEDC while you were at it!!

    Pick up your game next time, Denny!!!

    -- Posted by SWNEvacuee on Wed, Sep 30, 2015, at 10:18 PM

  • SWNE, you are correct that the MEDC is most likely the major player in helping businesses in McCook and SW Nebraska. The data indicates that in the last 15 years they were a force In retention and creation of 1080 jobs here. If each job is represents one family and the average family is slightly over 3 people then that is nearly 3,250 people we have in the area that we most likely would not have without the MEDC. The data also shows that the MEDC spent $645,500 leveraging projects that that totaled $10.8 MILLION in new construction. This does not include the $4 million in the remodeled Keystone or the savings of the projected $700,000 it would have cost the city and taxpayers to tear it down. Thanks for reminding me that business and the MEDC are good for the community!

    -- Posted by dennis on Thu, Oct 1, 2015, at 10:46 AM

  • Much better denny! You had me worried for a while!

    -- Posted by SWNEvacuee on Thu, Oct 1, 2015, at 11:22 AM

  • I thought I had heard it all when working people were vilifying other working people because they wanted to bargain for more pay. But now people are complaining about the entries in an open invitation parade event?

    -- Posted by hulapopper on Thu, Oct 1, 2015, at 11:23 AM

  • Look past your grass skirt. Everybody complains about everything! Be careful, or they will complain about you!!

    -- Posted by SWNEvacuee on Thu, Oct 1, 2015, at 11:25 PM

  • "Everybody complains about everything" - disagree...I personally don't. Maybe it's time to help others change this mentality by being supportive, looking for the positive & finding ways to make things better instead of complaining?

    I personally felt this was one of the best Heritage Days weekend ever! Heritage Days is not just for people to celebrate their heritage but businesses showing their gratitude for being allowed to start their heritage and/or be involved in such a wonderful community. As far as the "German" part...I'm indifferent. SW Nebraska is made up of so many different heritages over the years that it's nice to have a weekend to celebrate ALL heritages. Kuddos to all involved and keep up the awesome work!

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Thu, Oct 8, 2015, at 10:21 AM
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