Everyone I’ve spoken to is appalled that Wayne would be so negative about Bright. It’s not the first time he’s run us down in the media either. Earlier this year he made very similar comments when being interviewed by Kathy Bedford on her ABC radio Statewide program. It was about the Coles issue and he brought up the “lowest avg income” business again. He also said the situation where a lot of people shop in Myrtleford instead of Bright was OK by him. Strange attitude for a Bright Chamber President (although he didn’t tell Bedford he was the Pres of the Chamber, as he was speaking for Save Bright! What a conflict of interests that is)

Btw, I wouldn’t give him the benefit of the doubt. If he did say anything positive it was obviously outweighed by the crap. Look at how much he’s said that’s extremely negative, as I’ve highlighted in the clipping above.

Noel, you’re right about Cittaslow being wrong for Bright. I spoke at Tuesday’s council meeting AGAINST it. I think it’s possibly OK for some places but not for a town like Bright. I won’t divert into that just yet but I’ll write more about the whole Cittaslow issue later.

Dawson, yeah, I fear you might be right.

I still believe that we should be encouraging people to come here – not discourage – even in the current economic climate.

I imagine that Wayne Phillips may cop some abuse over the article. I wouldn’t be too pleased about the situation should I be involved in the tourist trade.

That’ll be fun.

Couldn’t agree more with you.

We (meaning Bright, Myrtleford, Mt Beauty) should be promoting our wonderful area, not giving out false info.

Perhaps to the BOYS defence, the author of the article did not state any positive facts the BOYS may have said – I guess we will find out.

Just on your C of C, I couldn’t help but read their “Chamber Chat” column in this weeks paper where the article talked about making Bright a “Cittaslow” – a place which sets out to become a “Slow City”. The concept started in Italy and follows the general philosophy adopted by the Slow Food movement.

Admirable though the idea might be, one cannot help but think that the suggestion mirrors more the attitude of the Chamber President and those behind the Save Bright push, given that the article coincides with the negative sentiments expressed in the Herald-Sun story.

The Chamber’s timing could have been better!

Firstly Fuel (Diesel) was $1.92 last week – I know as I filled up my car at the local Shell Servo.

I agree with your comments – when I read the article, I thought our town sounded like a bunch of Hillbillies. Whereas in fact we are quite the opposite. We are not low income earners as stated. There are numerous people who are quite wealthy in the township – yet they dont drive flash cars and pretend to be high flyers.

I find it odd that Mr Feltrin appears in the photo – as he told me on the last night of his business operating that his heart was no longer in the business and he did not want those feelings reflecting in his work. He also stated it was difficult to sell the business and no one really came forward with a firm offer. Isn’t that common with hospitality? Why would you buy a resturant in Bright and pay large sums of money for them, when it is cheaper to start your own. Also – there are other businesses on the market.

As for Wayne, I cannot believe that he would say those words about our town – he is our chamber president and should be talking the town up in press. Not only that – he failed to mention the many attractions and activities of Bright and our area.

As for Mr Sullivan – how can he complain? The only main supermarket in town.

I think the BOYS wanted their mug shot in the Herald Sun!

Correct me if I am wrong – but I believe Noel Stone is the Myrtleford Chamber President? I would bet he would never talk Myrtleford down like these guys have…….

For some unknown reason (internal catfighting?), the wine industry established it’s own marketing organisation and split from the tourism association. That left the minimal accommodation industry that we have out in the cold.

Now most of the state and federal funding is won by the wine industry and the KVTA has nowhere to turn. Don’t make the same mistake!

An option that I had been thinking through – but will now have no chance to follow through – was to create a ‘Peak Body’ of ratepayers throughout the Rural City of Wangaratta to promote local (as in Bright) interests.

It was envisaged that throughout the RCoW, different communities would form their own chapter made up of representatives of the already existing sporting, tourism, business and community groups.

The chapters would establish local priorities. The ‘Peak Body’ of chapters would establish overall priorites and being the representation of all of the ratepayers would have the authority to demand to be heard by local, state and federal governments.

Just an idea!