Letter to the editor:

Clair Tappaan's future

It should warm the heart of Clair Tappaan Lodge supporters everywhere that the lodge's "Executive Committee" raised $120,000 to meet the Board's challenge.

However, the bigger picture is far from pretty. The money was mere ransom. Will it capitalize Lodge projects? The Club won't say. Instead, the Club's senior leadership has made it clear that, ransom or not and no matter how occupancy may improve, they won't let the Lodge go on living as before. They seem to crave to unload it with a minimum of objection from supporters - preferably to a viable corporation formed by Lodge users.

Those who see what's going on and will speak frankly predict that the Lodge will be spun off completely within the next couple years one way or the other.

Indeed, if I were on the Board I would do the same. The Club is not inclined nor is it still fit to run the Lodge. The only future for the Lodge that I can imagine is under ownership of a band of supporters with sufficient capital, know-how, and zeal.

If you love the Lodge and want to do something about all this, don't wait for another tug on your wallet. Help form a group of fellow supporters who can take it off the Club's hands. Form a company, develop a business plan, and step forward. You might find that the offering price is agreeable.

I will help put interested people in touch with each other. You can reach me at CTL-at-cannolo.com

Ted Cuzzillo