Real Name: Ryan Schuster Gender: male Member Since: March 17, 2006 Last Signed In: August 23, 2007 Profile Views: 7278 Blog Views: 28634 Workout machine without weights? Car dealerships move north Got fruit smoothies? Do you still use cash, checks? Would you support a grocery strike? Padre holds open house Holiday Inn Select to become Marriott? Padre Hotel up for sale again Local economy among fastest growing in nation Bob Marx out as head of visitors bureau August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 
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Can Bakersfield improve its image?
In a recent interview Bob Marx, the new president and CEO of the Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau, said he would like to make Bakersfield more of a tourist destination and improve the city’s image (check out the entire interview here). How can that be accomplished? Can Bakersfield become a tourist destination of sorts? If you didn’t live here, what would you come to see or do here? What can be done to improve the city’s sometimes not-so-positive image? How can we improve Bakersfield?
Marx has left the bureau. He said he resigned. What do you think about him leaving after less than six months on the job? 34 comments from 20 users
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posted by
robbwillis
on May 8, 2007 at 01:54 PM
Just kiddin... posted by
anonymous
on May 8, 2007 at 02:09 PM
Start by not offering false promises. Create realistic expectations. Start with this musicial orientation to Bakersfield life: Bakersfield (This Ain't Life as It Should Be) Dr BLT words and music by Dr BLT (c) 2007 http://www.drblt.net/music/...
Ghost of a Recently Squashed Sandwich posted by
GrpThink
on May 8, 2007 at 02:21 PM
Having actors getting arrested for drug offenses and threatening to beat up hotel workers doesn't help. As I tell my friends, Bakersfield is a cultural wasteland. Look to Fresno and copy what they're doing would be a start. posted by
antiextremism
on May 8, 2007 at 02:22 PM
And we want a good image because????
posted by
randomfactor
on May 8, 2007 at 02:29 PM
"In today's news, unusual flooding hit downtown Bakersfield today, wiping out entire city blocks and doing hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of improvements..."
posted by
antiextremism
on May 8, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Yeah...but Fresneck is only 103rd on the murder per capita list while were in the top 100 at 96.
posted by
GrpThink
on May 8, 2007 at 02:42 PM
I was referring to the cultural differences, Anti. Museums, art galleries, a walking mall anchored by a new baseball stadium, etc. Fresno is light years ahead of Bakersfield in that respect.
posted by
schuster80
on May 8, 2007 at 02:49 PM
Should we really be modeling ourselves after Fresno? The new downtown baseball stadium is awesome, but do we really want to become Fresno? Shouldn't we aim higher?
posted by
anonymous
on May 8, 2007 at 02:51 PM
Nope. I think we should aim lower. When you aim for failure, then even if you fail, you succeed.
posted by
GrpThink
on May 8, 2007 at 02:52 PM
Shouldn't we aim higher? Jeesh, is comprehending the English language a lost art? As I specifically stated, it would be a start. Right now Bakersfield is a piece of used gum stuck to the bottom of Fresno's shoe. posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on May 8, 2007 at 02:56 PM
We're too busy stopping construction on unfinished dreams and fixing the same roads twice.
posted by
tkozy
on May 8, 2007 at 02:57 PM
Bakersfield’s only hope???? Rename Big Sky, Montana. To Bakersfield, California. Everybody get a post office box. And hop on a Greyhound out of here..
posted by
mattloch
on May 8, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Ryan, would you argue that "aiming" for Fresno would not be an improvement for Bako? Not to point fingers or anything, but didn't the Fresno Bee win some awards for uncovering corruption between developers and city council members? What did TBC win awards for? The "Lords of Bakersfield"? Some decades-old cabal of prominent townsfolks who may have been gay? Yeaaaaa........ good job there. ;)
posted by
Griffon64
on May 8, 2007 at 03:23 PM
Pointing all the disgruntled citizens to the I-5 would be a good start, I'd say ;-)
Get tough on the gangs, right now, do something about the air, and put water in the Kern river all summer long. People would like to visit a quiet town surrounded by visible mountains, with a flowing river and green parks. That's more life as it should be than the current status quo is. If I recall correctly, TBC won awards for stuff like general excellence in its size category. posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on May 8, 2007 at 03:26 PM
Well, having subscribed to the print editions of both the Fresno Bee and TBC, let me just say that TBC is infinitely better in style, organization, layout, and substance. (Now if we could just do something about our nonexistent local economy, maybe the Jobs section might break two pages.) posted by
anonymous
on May 8, 2007 at 03:28 PM
Beautiful dreamer, we would could never afford the price of improving the City, we just hate to pay for anything that doesn't shine at first sight.
posted by
GrpThink
on May 8, 2007 at 03:28 PM
do something about the air, and put water in the Kern river all summer long Neither of these can be controlled by the local government or planners. posted by
sbranco
on May 8, 2007 at 03:55 PM
We should capitalize on our history and culture, what makes us unique -- Hispanic heritage, Okie history, ag economy, etc. Events or themes with retro appeal are always in style. (Think Orange County's No Doubt and Gwen Stefani using those old-time California citrus ads for the inspiration for the Tragic Kingdom album cover. Come to think of it, maybe Bakersfield looks kinda like that cover.) We really do have some beautiful surroundings. The hills are gorgeous in the spring. Take advantage of the natural beauty with more outdoor festivals. And take a cue from downtown Visalia. It's a concentrated, walkable area with fabulous restaurants, bars, a movie theater and a few cafes. For a smaller city, the downtown's a happening place at night. It's like a miniature San Luis Obispo -- we could take a few cues from them, too, although they have a leg up with the beach nearby and great weather year-round. A self-deprecating sense of humor is very hip these days. We should take advantage of that and acknowledge the suck-y stuff in an amusing way. Maybe we could distinguish ourselves with a wacky parade or event every year that just screams Bakersfield. Hmm...Burning Man Bakersfield? posted by
adampayne
on May 8, 2007 at 05:12 PM
It could only be called No Burning Man if the event came close to Bakersfield. We're number two with a bullet for bad air quality in the entire country. However, Bakersfield's image is more than than bad oil tinged air, heat, dust and a dry river bed. There are plenty of places outside of Bakersfield to visit and enjoy within Kern County. The mountains in Tehachapi and Tejon pass, the canyon and river heading up to Lake Isabella, the vast Mojave Desert in the early spring, fall and winter can be spectacular. Bakersfield has oil fields and derricks situated amid strip malls of medical offices, fast food and big box retail. There is very little in this town to enjoy or celebrate. The oil companies tap out the crude for huge dollars and gives the community bad smelly air in return. The city should simply rename itself Oildale.
posted by
randomfactor
on May 8, 2007 at 05:32 PM
How 'bout "Burning Woman?" We'd have to hold it during the windy season, of course...
posted by
camsgirl
on May 9, 2007 at 01:39 AM
"And take a cue from downtown Visalia. It's a concentrated, walkable area with fabulous restaurants, bars, a movie theater and a few cafes. For a smaller city, the downtown's a happening place at night."They blew that one when they started authorizing all the sprawl. There is no reason for anyone to leave their nice little neighborhood strip malls to venture out to the downtown area. Their only hope, now, is to convert blocks of the downtown area into some sorts of museums/arts/or whatever, besides shopping. Why deal with the transients and empty storefronts when there's a Kohl's, or Target, or some other nice, new looking store to go to that's close by and is frequented by the same kind of people you live near? There's no need to mix with the other inhabitants of the city, you know the ones, they're "different" from us and don't dress right or speak right. God forbid that we should actually be anywhere close to one of "them". (loud scream of frustration) Someone in planning just doesn't get it. Just as a community is growing here, on the blogs, as we become familiar with one another and realize that we're all just people with similar wants and desires for our lives; in order for the city to keep up as a community, it needs to bring the people together, not encourage separation! posted by
steveeswenson
on May 9, 2007 at 06:55 AM
I don't want to become no damn tourist town. That's why we go to San Luis Obispo and they don't come here.P.S. Tkozy, can you forward that emoticon to the city as the image for a new city sign? That is just too cool. PPS. And I moved here for the lack of culture. I blend. PPPS. Hardliner, thanks for the note about the newspaper. God bless you. posted by
NancyII
on May 9, 2007 at 07:16 AM
This city was built around the pumping unit and the oil patch. They could hardly shut down the entire field just because people want more, bigger, better,. More stores, more fast food places, more restaurants, more, more, more. Read the blogs when someone posts about wanting a new restaurant. There aren't enough "classy" food and beverage places, lord knows we don't have enough places to go buy clothes. It's just SO backwards. And yet when another topic is raised about the good things in Bakersfield, we get comments like above. No one likes the sprawl yet no one wants to settle for less. No one wants big box stores and yet they are packed with shoppers, and the shppers are demanding more shops. Bakersfield is what it is and while we can try to make it better, we can't change the climate, the water in the river situation, or the poor air. Speaking of which..where did the "oil tinged air" come from? Of all the complaints about this city, that's the first time I've seen that one. Maybe I missed it. For my part, I strongly disagree with the statement that there is very little to enjoy about Bakersfield. I wish I had the time to get out and enjoy the things we DO have. If people think Fresno is such a mecca, then head on up 99. It's only a couple of hours away and I'm sure the air is cleaner (they ship their bad air down here), their city is cleaner, they have less crime (for the first time in history), they must have better shopping and food because the bloggers prefer it, and the temperature is bound to be cooler in the summer. Yeah..that's it...Geeezzz...sounds like Utopia to me. Tk..where's one of your emoticons rolling it's eyes? posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on May 9, 2007 at 07:25 AM
"If people think Fresno is such a mecca, then head on up 99. " When I was leaving Los Angeles, we thoroughly toured Fresno and Bakersfield. Therefore, our presence here in Bako is the result of a side-by-side comparison.
posted by
tkozy
on May 9, 2007 at 07:48 AM
Here ya go Nancy... Consider this your Secretaries Day Gift...
Hey! Did you get my paper and coffee Yet... I thought you knew your place???? posted by
NancyII
on May 9, 2007 at 09:13 AM
H4F..Good choice..glad you're here. Tk..I told you..my place is with my foot firmly planted on your neck. Not that you should be down trodden or anything. Your paper's on line and your coffee is at Denny's. I'm off to the wonderful world of employment. Some of us yucky ole conservatives have to go support you folks'es social programs. (I won't mention that I work in one of your social programs though.) Toodles..try to be nice to each other..and to me.... I'm sensitive doncha know? ;-) posted by
mtracy
on May 9, 2007 at 09:14 AM
These guys say it all about what Bako is, and always will be: http://www.youtube.com/watc... It is what it is. posted by
avantichamp
on May 9, 2007 at 09:23 AM
One thing that would help is to get those airlines who provide service to Bakersfield to lower their prices to more closely match the cost of flying into LAX. The only thing charging a hun more to fly from Dallas for example to BFL vs. LAX does is discourage flying in and out of Bakersfield. Locals often find it to their advantage to drive to ONT or LAX where the fares are more reasonable. With lower landing fees it's apparent the air carriers are simply milking the hard core fliers at the expense of everyone else, in particular tourists, who may want to come here to visit.
posted by
boquagley
on May 9, 2007 at 02:49 PM
There is room for a nice 20 acre waterpark somewhere in this boring city! Let's plan it and build it!
posted by
Hardliner4freedom
on May 9, 2007 at 02:52 PM
"Let's plan it and build it!" Hate to be a cynic, but in these parts, planning something is a sure fire way of ensuring that it never gets off the ground. Great idea, though -- especially if it came with a clothing-optional section. posted by
randomfactor
on May 9, 2007 at 03:02 PM
Oddly enough, I was speaking with a tourism publicist many years ago, and pointed out that there's very little *ORGANIZED* clothing-optional recreation options in this area (I know there's a small group which travels) and that could easily be a valid tourist draw for Bakersfield. When I win the lottery, I'm building one. In fact, I forgot to check last night's draw. Wait one.
posted by
boquagley
on May 9, 2007 at 03:03 PM
"in these parts, planning something is a sure fire way of ensuring that it never gets off the ground." Ok then, lets abandon the 'planning stage' and find a random lot and start digging!
posted by
randomfactor
on May 9, 2007 at 03:04 PM
Not this week. For you Mac fans out there, Spam code XPPOO posted by
anonymous
on May 11, 2007 at 03:47 PM
Look to Fresno and copy what they are doing? I don't think we want our city to be like Fresno. They have more murders per capita than any other city. They have a horrible transit system and the city itself is just plain nasty. If they didn't have that awesome arena, I would never go there!
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