The Bright Side

Discussion at the Piers, Harbor, & Lakefront meeting: Will the residents get a weekly day (or lesser time) at the beach?
Last summer the residents did get the first half a day on Wednesdays to enjoy the Riviera beach without outsiders. The main purpose for this (first-ever) residents event at the beach was to accommodate social distancing and pandemic guidelines. The Riviera beach was at limited capacity near the start of the season and higher capacity was implemented as guidelines changed. The beach was busy all summer, as visitors and locals stood in line and waited for space to open up and other people to leave. The residents did not think this was fair, as they couldn’t always beat the crowds to get a spot, and also had health concerns, in regard to the crowd sizes. City officials decided to dedicate a time slot for residents only, however, the Wednesday mornings selected were not convenient for most residents, due to a thing called “work”. Residents are not on vacation and cannot utilize the benefit of being local and being able to use their own beach.

The Piers, Harbor, and Lakefront committee discussed continuing this day at the beach for residents again this summer, however, the result was a big “no” vote. Apparently, the only reason locals had half a day dedicated to just them last year was due to the pandemic (and ergo, predicted low beach revenues) and the pandemic is not expected to be such an issue this coming summer. Limited capacity at the beach is not expected this summer at all, and, according to some committee members, the city needs the money. Residents are able to purchase six beach passes at three dollars apiece, to be used for admission all summer long, and that’s not a big money-maker for the city, although a great value to the residents. Beach passes are available at city hall. This year is still ‘virus strange’ so you may want to either hope you have too much work to be able to go, or that, at least if you don’t, it won’t cost an arm and a leg.  The committee would have allowed for some time, like Saturday morning for the locals, but maybe the virus has hardened their hearts against such a local favoring move. Maybe they’ll eventually come up with a vaccine for the hardening of the heart.

Place of the Week

Lopez’s Anchor Inn on Racine Street in Delavan is now open which is a sign Spring is almost here. Anchor In is an old favorite as many families have made it a traditional way to welcome in the warm weather