Page 10 of The Jinglebell War
The business association stands to benefit directly from the money the tickets would bring in, money we can use for improvements to infrastructure, like finally fixing the potholed sidewalk outside Shandy’s shop. At the meeting, they’d been unanimously in favor of the plan. Or so I’d thought. “No one likes to see unhappy tourists, apparently.”
Charles nods. “They lack your vision.”
That surprises me. I wouldn’t say Charles has been one of my biggest detractors, but he’s been openly skeptical. “My vision?That’s not what you called it last week. I believe you said I’m trying to citify one of the best small towns in the world.”
His lips twitch and his eyes twinkle. “I wasn’t wrong. But I don’t think you’re wrong either. I asked a former associate at my old law firm to run some numbers. You’re right. Towns that encourage tourists to stay multiple days, rather than visit for a single day trip, do see improved revenue for the town and the residents.”
Excitement wipes away my exhaustion and defeat. He gets it. Finally, someone gets it. “If we play our cards right, we can bring tourists here from all over the country to spend a long weekend or a week in the jolliest town in the world. I promise you there are people who’ve never even tried on skis who’d love to come here. We just need to market the town right and build a hotel or six, so visitors have somewhere to stay.” The vast majority of our visitors are people staying in Sugar Valley, the ski town twenty minutes away. They’re people looking for a day off from the slopes or family members who hate to ski.
He raises a hand. “I said I’ve joined the choir, Mayor. You don’t have to keep preaching to me.”
I laugh, happier than I thought I’d be when I imagined someone in this town signing onto my vision. “You don’t think I’m the know-it-all outsider anymore?”
He slaps his knee gently and laughs. “It won’t be the last time I’m wrong. I’ve been watching you, Mayor Porter. I’ve seen you taking the time to get to know the people and how this town operates. If you can bring me around, you can bring the others around.”
“The question is, can I do it before the election?”
He steeples his fingers over his chest and hums in agreement. “The most important question.”
“But talking about my campaign isn’t why you’re here, is it? What does the council want today?”
He taps his fingers on his knees. “It’s the busiest time of the year. A few council members have plans to go out of town to visit family in the next few weeks. They want to put council business and decisions on hold until after the holiday.”
In Yuletide, the holiday always means Christmas. Hannukah and Kwanzaa are acknowledged, but Christmas is at the center of everything. “There are like thirty items on the agenda.”
He nods. “And if you want the council to vote your way, you can win a little goodwill with them by giving them time off.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “Or they’re trying to stonewall me and keep me from getting anything done before the election.”
He doesn’t rear back or gasp. Charles Rutherford is as unflappable as they come. “Some of them, absolutely, but you’ll never change their minds. The rest… Give them this time off and they’ll be very appreciative.”
I don’t like this, but I don’t have any choice. I’m fully aware of who on the council supports me, who’s on the fence, and who wants me gone. Charles’s not wrong that I need to do everything I can to get those fence sitters on my side. “If I agree to this, any chance they’ll vote to pass an ordinance so we can fine locals who tear up police tickets?”
He gets to his feet, his knees creaking as he straightens. “I’ll ask for one more brief meeting before we go on hiatus. Can you have the ordinance to me by the end of the day?”
Writing an ordinance involves a lot of legal jargon, which means I’ll have to involve several people to help me get it done. Which will probably mean more favors owed. “I’ll do my best.”
He nods. “So will I.”
As he’s turning to go, I remember something else I need to ask him about. Something I’d like to forget but can’t. “Any chance they’d be open to discussing Garrick Evergreen’s request?”
I’ve been in favor of Garrick getting his permits since day one, but I’ve had no luck getting the council to agree. If I’ve allowedGarrick to believe I’m against the permits, that’s only because he made up his mind about me as soon as he met me. Nothing I say will change his mind, and I don’t care if he hates me.
Charles turns, expression thoughtful. “Which one?”
“The one about opening up the Hightower Ridge land for his clients. I’d like to get an answer to him as soon as possible. His other requests can wait.” Only because I know the council will unilaterally say no if I push them to agree to all the permits at once. In my opinion, nothing Garrick is asking for is unreasonable, but as much as they love Garrick, they hate change more.
Charles winces. “They’re gonna say what they said last time. Outdoorsy tourists don’t spend money in the shops and restaurants. There’s extra liability letting strangers recreate around here, and they’re worried about people hooting and hollering too close to town.”
“That land’s over ten miles from downtown.”
He crosses his arms over his chest, looking nearly as frustrated as I feel. “I know, but only four miles from Josephine’s place.” He holds up a hand. “Still far enough no one should hear Garrick or his clients, but you know…”
“Yeah, I know.” The council members can be as unreasonable as toddlers when the mood strikes. “He’s losing business to a new guiding outfit in Sugar Valley. I know the council can’t see it now, but if Garrick grows his business, and we put in hotels, there will be spouses and kids coming in with his clients. People who don’t want to snowshoe or snowmobile all day. And Garrick’s clients do shop in town, but no one notices because there aren’t enough of them, because you all won’t give Garrick the land access he needs to expand.” And I truly believe a thriving outdoor guiding business is a big part of what can draw in more tourists, the kind of tourists who want to stay awhile and spend money.
“That’s a lot of ifs and maybes,” Charles says. “The council likes cold hard facts.”
“I’ve been working on getting that for them, too.” A friend of Cherry’s, Keating Sullivan, owned an adventure course business and has contacts all over the world. He put me in touch with people who’ve given me exactly the kind of data I need to show the council what I’m talking about. I just need to arrange it into a format they’ll understand. “I’ll send you what I have by the end of the day. Can I be at the meeting?”
