Well there goes deschutes... (Norfolk, Roanoke: sales, 2015, crime)

[headnsouth]

...and any other investment in Roanoke. Now known internationally as a bigoted backward city that knows f-all about American history. Thanks, outgoing (finally) mayor David Whatamaroon Bowers.

[Gardner222]

Whenever Mayor Bowers speaks I cringe. When the news came out on Norfolk Southern closing its Roanoke office his comment
was "It just broke my heart" and then he ranted on about all of the new projects coming to Roanoke. When I was watching him
I thought "What happened Mayor"? Mayor Bowers, The Washington Post and others do not know how the terrorism threat
is likely to unfold. Remarks such as the Mayors' seems to indicate he was comparing the publics reaction to the Japanese
on the west coast who were afraid the Japanese could communicate info to Japan. I did a report on this subject in college and
few people knew the U.S. actually interned these people just because they were Japanese. As far as Deschutes or future breweries coming here is concerned, I think our biggest joke is Al Bedrosian of the Roanoke County Board of Suoervisors who is
totally against Roanoke County joining an organization which promotes a clean environment. I read a beer article which said
craft beer companies are totally into clean environmental polices. Al is up for reelection in 2 years and Roanoke City loses
Bowers. On the Deschutes brewery has anyone heard anything, just curious!!

[cam4vt]

Meehhh back off the ledge. He is on the way out. Getting businesses us about way more than one guy who cuts ribbons. Let's be honest that is his only job with the city.

[16 Acres]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

...and any other investment in Roanoke. Now known internationally as a bigoted backward city that knows f-all about American history.

I first believed that you had some solid news about Deschutes, but it seems like you are assuming that they won't want to choose Roanoke now because of Mayor Bowers views...

[Gardner222]

The latest news from Deschutes after Mayor Bowers' comments is that Roanoke is still in the running, although I am thinking
now the Mayor has probably killed the deal. IMAGE is everything in business deals and sadly Roanoke has had too much bad
news so far this year. Im wondering what else could possibly go wrong? I firmly believe Roanoke will recover from all of this
negativity as we have positioned our valley for a bright future. I am so glad I live here, at least were not being run out of town by
gangs and the local economy is still quite diverse with or without Deschutes!

[cam4vt]

No matter what Deschutes will do what it was going to do before the mayor made that horrid mistake. They Re going to go where it's best for business. Besides with the response from the area and with bowers leaving after this year I'm not sure it was that big of a hit. I think whatever decision they make will be based on a lot more than this situation. JMO

[Gardner222]

deschutes, please ignore Liberty University president Jonathan Falwell when he calls for students to carry guns on campus. He know not what he speak. Lynchburg, btw is an hour away from Roanoke and getting more far out as that school grows.
Maybe we could send some non alcoholic craft beer to Liberty or I wouldnt be surprised if many LU folks dont come to Roanoke
to try some Deschutes products. Mayor Bowers now has a pistol packin buddy!

[16 Acres]

By the way, it was Jerry Falwell, Jr who made the announcement, and personally, I'm on his side and I agree with him (on the Gun part).

Also, I've been holding back my comments on the Deschutes deal, but now that the subject is up, I'm all for new business and all for forward progress, but being Anti-Alcohol, I won't lose any sleep if they don't decide.

I'm really amazed on many out there are all "hopped-up" on Deschutes (and yes, you can call that a pun if you want to). My main concern with Alcohol is to keep our roads free of drunk or impaired drivers as much as we possibly can. My question is, will Deschutes help or hurt that issue?

(Hope y'all took some business psychology courses out there).

[headnsouth]

Originally Posted by 16 Acres

Also, I've been holding back my comments on the Deschutes deal, but now that the subject is up, I'm all for new business and all for forward progress, but being Anti-Alcohol, I won't lose any sleep if they don't decide.

I'm really amazed on many out there are all "hopped-up" on Deschutes (and yes, you can call that a pun if you want to). My main concern with Alcohol is to keep our roads free of drunk or impaired drivers as much as we possibly can. My question is, will Deschutes help or hurt that issue?

I'm a beer nerd so I'm happy about Roanoke becoming a craft beer town. Deschutes would add to that and fits in nicely with the rest of the region's outdoor branding that's brought in tons of external dollars through the Go Outside Festival, the Blue Ridge Marathon, etc. I don't know how many great living-wage jobs a new brewery would create directly, but that one in particular would surely have a positive indirect effect.

Your concern about drunk driving is valid - I'd suggest the same thing on that front as you (as a pro-2A person) might suggest with regard to gun control: proper and consistent enforcement of existing law will go a lot farther in minimizing that crime than discouraging commerce and the safe enjoyment of something that's legal.

Only if there's a real risk of cost/incarceration/criminal record/loss of privileges - first offense - will people use DDs/cabs/uber to get home.

[16 Acres]

Originally Posted by headnsouth

will people use DDs/cabs/uber to get home.

I sure do hope so, but I worry about that "gray area". Will everyone really draw the line and not drive when they cross over their line that is not always consistent.

In a related issue, I just read in Sunday's paper (Business section) that Hard Liquor sales continue to grow in the region, and as we all know, Micro-breweries are also the "new" thing. Wineries are also on the rise in the area.

Seems like we are becoming a very "alcoholic" region lately...