We need community's support
TO THE EDITOR:

After much consideration, I have decided to once again voice my opinion on a subject I feel very strongly about. As everyone in Wilkes County should be aware, our community is currently experiencing economic trials. With the closing of numerous plants and factories and small businesses resulting in the loss of residents and revenues spent in Wilkes County, the remaining businesses - small and large - need the support of area residents and business.

I understand that all services and products are not available because we are a small community and in these instances there is no choice but to seek other resources. What I don't understand is those who go outside the county to purchase materials available here at home. So you can drive to Thomson or Elberton and save a few dollars on groceries. How much did you spend on the time and gas to get there? So you received this catalog in the mail and they had the product you needed at what you thought was a good price. Did you check to see if anyone in town could at least match if not beat that price? Not to mention save you freight or shipping costs which have skyrocketed since the rise in gas prices.

So someone you know who used to live here stopped in and offered you a service or product you thought would benefit your business or organization. Did you stop to consider that since that business is not licensed in Wilkes County those taxes and monies would benefit someone outside our community? Did you give any consideration to the fact that area businesses who continue to lose local sales will not be able to stay in business if we don't have the community's support?

The same area businesses which support ads for football programs, calendars, yearbooks, radio spots and newspaper ads. The shops and stores who make donations to Cancer Walks and Sororities, Cruise-Ins, Civic Groups and Churches - who buy tickets to Barbecues and car washes, support golf tournaments and wrapping paper sales. Is it wrong to expect the community's support in return?

As one of these local businesses who continue to loose business to outside companies, I findmyself in the position of no longer being able to offer support to these local groups as I have in the past. My business is not one of necessity so I understand during times such as these my sales will drop. But, I also see numerous businesses, organizations, and local government personnel seeking materials outside Wilkes County I know are available here. Even if you have to pay a little more, I feel you should shop at home. Your friends and neighbors need your support.

Carol McTier The Garden Party

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