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Open letter to current and former elected officials from Jeff Robinson, owner, Blackhorse Pub & Brewery:
Recently the Blackhorse held a couple of events at the Downtown Commons. These events enabled us to get our Pub family back together with each other and a whole bunch of our customers. Between the two events we had over 3,000 people at the Downtown Commons.
The Downtown Commons facility is first rate. It is well designed, well built, well maintained and professionally operated by the County. Every elected official who took part in getting it built deserves thanks. You have my appreciation. The week of our second event, I noticed there was a Sunset Yoga class, a worship night, the Nashville Symphony played, a kid zone for the Downtown Market and our event. “If you build it, they will come” holds true.
That concept holds true for every public amenity in this community from Liberty Park to the Greenway to every ballfield or soccer field. They all get used. The County’s leadership and investment in Downtown Commons, MPEC (F&M Bank Arena) and building a credible Parks and Recreation Department has been a huge benefit to the community as a whole. The current county mayor and this group of commissioners have exhibited bold vision and resolve to get it done. The naysayers can be relentless, but they are nowhere to be found when a controversial project like Liberty Park is filled from one end to the other with citizens enjoying themselves.
City and County alike will have to keep adding more parks, greenways, venues and sports facilities. This community is growing and shows no signs of slowing down. It will take the same resolve and leadership shown in the past because there will always be naysayers and competing interests for limited resources. And, while many politicians seem to think the safest route is to do nothing, the community truly needs these amenities. They are an integral part of our quality of life.
After our recent experiences at Downtown Commons, it seemed appropriate to say “thanks” for a job well done. I would also say thanks to any official who voted to fund any of our parks, fields, greenways, etc. From what I see, they all get used.
Now it’s time to get going on what’s next. More sports fields of all types can’t get going soon enough, and it’s past time to quit talking about a North Clarksville Community Center and start building one. If you are an elected official and you have any doubt, just remember, “If you will build, they will come” is a proven concept in Clarksville-Montgomery County.
Jeff Robinson