TRI, TRY AGAIN

To some 'The Tri' is sacrosanct and the selectmen's efforts to lessen it's impact on the community unreasonable. Is it? No one is talking about not permitting the Triathlon but what if we didn't. Would Cohasset suffer? No. Presumably such a desirable event could be held in another local town and Cohasset's athlete's would compete there. But we did permit it - with some provisos. 
According to USA Triathlon, this is an issue nationally and they stress that the event and the athletes must have a respect for the host community. Locally, Cohasset's concerns are not unique: the Scituate selectmen debated at five meetings before permitting the duathlon for its second year. 
Let's stipulate it's a great athletic event, raises money for a very good cause and that Bill Burnett does an excellent job. At the same time, let's acknowledge that Streamline Events is a for profit organization. I don't have a problem with that. I wish I could find a way to make money doing what I love and also contribute to charity. Don't you?
Now, consider that some may have a point that the Tri prevents them from getting where they need/want to go. Big deal you say. Well, yeah, it's not an hour or so, it's the better part of the day. Some view attending their Sunday morning church service with the same fervor as the triathletes view the competition. Some need to get to work, the beach, the dump, visit sick relatives, whatever. Competing priorities need equal respect.
So what can be done? The size of the event does make a difference: in 2007 Bill agreed to cap the entries at 700 but the 2010 website listed 950. Bill has agreed to cap the 2011 Tri at 850. Less people (athletes & spectators) = less impact. 
In 2011 the novice and older competitors will be in the first waves. With those who take longer to finish going first the overall length of the event will be less. Shorter = less impact. 
Chief Deluca is putting together a plan to increase police presence in problem areas and an increased effort will be made to educate the public of road closings. When one lane remains open to the public, athletes need to respect it and police need to enforce it. Planning/education = less impact.
Everything always comes down to the bottom line and USA Tri emphasizes the need for a direct benefit to the community. Streamline Events pays for police, fire, safety and makes a contribution to the Sandy Beach Assn. and in 2011 they will pay for DPW. That's overhead. 
What's the benefit? The Tri says it's the people who come to town. Hmmm. Neither the Chamber nor merchants have given me any concrete evidence or even hinted at any increase in business. Best case, "Maybe they come back." No national sponsors have opened businesses in town, and, despite Bill's assertion, Cohasset was "on the map" long before he and the Tri came along. 
Is it good PR for the town? Sure it is but I'm not that altruistic. To his credit, with just a little prodding, BB is in the process of putting together an arm of the Tri that would award money to a local non-profit or town organization. Okay, that's a direct benefit. 
See, we can play nicely together - athletes and couch potatoes and everyone in-between!