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DKA has history of accomplishment

Enough on the DBA/BMA versus DKA bashing. Let’s take a look at facts and decide who we should trust. The DKA began in 1939. The DBA began last fall. That is 70 years versus one year. The DKA is a nonprofit organization representing all downtown merchants and business interests whether they are members or not. DKA has 183-plus business members. They put events on bringing people downtown to shop and eat. The DKA has been recognized at the state level for its work downtown by winning the Main Street Award. The DKA has bylaws in place as a formally organized group should and welcomes anyone wishing to join to participate in the organization and serve on its boards, as the bylaws state. The DKA has proven itself over and over through hard and good times, with and without BMA funding. Just look at downtown; it’s growing again. This started long before DBA was ever thought of. If the DKA hadn’t proven itself, the BMA would never have promised it $48,000.

DBA isn’t a formally organized, incorporated group. It asked to be under another group in order to receive funding. It has supposedly 70 businesses that look out for themselves, not downtown. They want DKA perks and board seats, without joining the organization. They want half of the funding promised to DKA without the years proving they deserve it. You can’t prove yourself in one year. You need to crawl before running. The BMA has rules as does DKA. BMA will not change its rules to fit someone because they don’t like the rules, yet that is what they want DKA to do. The BMA tried to force a DKA-Chamber merger; now it’s trying to force a DKA-DBA merger. I trust the organization with rules, ethics, and a proven track record.

Ann Penley

Kingsport

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Not one part of this letter shows any valid reason why the DKA>DBA. The phrase "70 years" is repeated, and I assume that the unopposed longevity is the sole reason for supporting the DKA. Or because Ms. Penley works closely with the DKA in an attempt to promote her own business. Right, Ms. Penley?

Eric Taylor | 11/5/2009 - 4:11 PM - (Suggest Removal )

if the DKA is responsible for the sorry ass "parades" this town has, i would not claim that. what business has the DKA brought to downtown RECENTLY? i'm not talking about sobel's or the woolworth's. hell, what have they done in the past 30 years? gotten together, piddled about, griped about the lack of customers but done nothing to fix it. now someone else wants a turn and it's hold on a minute, this is our turf. it's like when one child has a toy they don't play with anymore and another child comes along to try to pick it up. suddenly the first kid is really interested in the toy again. not because they want to play with it, because they don't want the other kid to have it. you've had this toy for 70 years. give someone else a turn.

Jesco White | 11/5/2009 - 11:20 AM - (Suggest Removal )

Brian,
I agree they should get rid of all corporate welfare. What if they started with the Holston Business Development Center? What would you think of that? 'Cause that's pretty clearly corporate welfare.

Sidd Finch | 11/5/2009 - 11:04 AM - (Suggest Removal )

It's corporate welfare. Get rid of it entirely

Brian Haynes | 11/5/2009 - 8:37 AM - (Suggest Removal )

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