Colonial Williamsburg

I recently received a mailer from Colonial Williamsburg advertising ‘fire sale’ room prices at the Williamsburg Lodge for the first quarter of 2009. A stay of two or three days qualifies the visitor for a gift card of varying value. What is amazing about the mailer is that one side depicts an older couple enjoying a meal and toasting in the basement of Shields Tavern. The mailer also says that the gift cards can be used at the foundation’s taverns. We all know that the taverns will be closed for the first few months of 2009. You can't enjoy the dining experience that is promoted! I’m sure Colonial Williamsburg will claim the mailer was produced long before it decided to close the taverns, but organizations with more integrity would not have allowed this piece to be mailed, regardless of the cost to reprint.”

Hotel-Motel Association

“I have been reading with dismay the in-squabbling at the Williamsburg Hotel-Motel Association, and I am truly shocked by the behavior of the board members. First Cathy Waltrip was forced to resign, and now Pat Bell? It is time for new blood on the board. It was my understanding that the association was created for the good of the entire greater Williamsburg lodging industry as well as area attractions, restaurants, etc. Maybe it is time to get rid of the board and run the association like a business. Force hotels, motels and attractions to be more responsible for their actions, and pump money into all Williamsburg tourism, not just Colonial Williamsburg or Busch Gardens. Perhaps then Williamsburg can prosper as it did many years ago.”

Kingsmill issues

“Regarding code enforcement officer (a paid position!) who patrols Kingsmill’s streets: The danger seems to me to be that, over time, he will have to become more nit-picky about violations in order to justify his own existence and salary. I can't believe the Kingsmill Community Service Association would waste resources on such nonsense at a time when it is faced with financial uncertainties arising from the potential sale of the resort. It displays a total lack of priorities, as well as fiscal irresponsibility.”

Ukrop’s closing

“It doesn’t surprise me that the new Ukrop’s is closing. The real growth is farther west in the Stonehouse and Toano area, where no grocery store is very close. Ukrop’s is a wonderful store but its prices are outrageous. In this economy, people are concerned with the cost of food and are not willing to pay more simply to shop in a nice atmosphere.”