If you ever wonder why it’s taking Napa so long to become what it should be, here is a little reminder of what this town is up against.

Not the best way to support tourism in Napa

There are so many things wrong with this that I don’t know where to start. Take away for the moment the pro-gun, pro-violence, apparent red-neck agenda implicit in the sticker. Consider instead the financial and business implications. This is the type of–I’m assuming, guy–that could really screw things up for those of us who are supporting the idea that Napa could actually become a real destination for people and not just a place to pull off the highway to go pee.

I wonder how the developers of the Napa Riverfront, or Oxbow, or Avia hotel would feel about this jerk’s bumper sticker when it’s parked in front of their properties?

And to whomever it is that bought, peeled and applied this little bit of free speech to their truck, i just have to ask, “what the hell is your problem? I’m mean, you have to really care about an idea to drive around with it on your truck right?” This has to be a real issue for this person. So what the heck happened to this fella that made him turn so anti-tourist?

Look, we all get frustrated by an the-of-towners doing four and a half mile an hour up First Street in a desperate attempt to find a hotel or an actual place to eat or buy a gift or use an ATM. And yes, having someone stop you downtown to ask for directions to highway 29 so they can get the heck OUT of Napa is annoying at times. But to actively promote the idea that tourists are not only not welcome here, but should actually fear the locals is just downright, well, shortsighted, and stupid. And embarrassing. And stupid.

I’ve made this case in previous posts, but I guess I am still surprised by the fact that many people in Napa would be perfectly happy if all the visitors (and their money) would just bypass us and head up-valley. That they were thrilled that Copia closed and are hoping a skating replaces it. That they complain and whine and poke holes in every plan that threatens to align Napa for success.

Bottom line is that without tourists, Napa will become a ghost town. Sustained, intelligent growth in Napa is the key to our future. So I respectfully ask any locals out there to please refrain from threatening the few people who do visit us. You may not need them, but most of us with businesses, homes to pay for, and mouths to feed, well, we sort of need people to come here and spend money.

Maybe you’d be happier in Suisun, or Fairfield. Don’t move to Vacaville though… I saw an actual magazine ad trying to get people to visit there!

By the way, this anti-tourist, pro-local sentiment was spotted in a strip mall containing such “local” business favorites as Starbucks, Papyrus, Jamba Juice and Cold Stone Creamery.

So our friend gets the full ten points for hypocrisy. Nice job!