The debate over proposed developments in Winona Lake is proof of something I've known for a long time:

For some people, change is a difficult thing.

Since the outset of Winona Restoration Partners' dealings in Winona Lake, there have been naysayers.

Brent Wilcoxson and Dane Miller, the partners in Winona Restoration, have taken a little heat. At the same time, they have taken a lot of praise.

I have never doubted that Wilcoxson and Miller have the best interest of Winona Lake at heart.

They live there. It's their town. Of course they want what's best for it.

Problem is, not everyone agrees with them about what the best is.

There are several issues at hand, really. The one that has drawn the most hue and cry recently from the citizenry is the alcohol issue.

The developers have proposed an upscale restaurant as part of their project. The restaurant would serve alcohol. This is a major concern for more than a few Winona Lake residents.

They say that alcohol just doesn't fit in their town, which has a decidedly dry heritage.

As far as the alcohol goes, I don't really see that as too big a deal.

Letter writers have tried to use the Bible to show that booze is bad.

I don't claim to be a theologian, but my understanding of booze or anything else is that it's only bad if you abuse it.

I don't think the guy who has a glass of wine with dinner is an abomination.

But the guy who gets slopfaced every night, now there's a problem.

Your body is a temple, right? But when you're stumbling and slobbering from too much booze, you're not much of a temple now are you?

Couldn't the same be said about food? Lots of people abuse food.

What kind of "temple" carries 325 pounds on a 5-foot, 9-inch frame?

And besides, the type of facility these guys are proposing isn't a real draw for hardcore drinkers.

It's not like they're proposing a strip joint or a biker bar.

There are upscale restaurants all over the place that serve alcohol. I don't think they are perceived as having a negative impact on society.

When was the last time there was a drunken brawl in the parking lot behind Stonehenge?

But given the history of Winona Lake, it's not surprising a significant number of people in that town really don't like alcohol.

And they most certainly have a right to be heard and to exert pressure on their elected officials to see the issue their way.

But there is another issue, too. The issue of changing the character of the town.

Miller and Wilcoxson have proposed a historical development that would bring back some of the feel of Winona's glory days.

They want to offer a glimpse of what life was like then.

Back "then" was when thousands of people traveled to Winona Lake for religious gatherings.

Back then was during the days of Billy Sunday, the great evangelist.

But some people have become accustomed to Winona Lake as a bit less traveled these days.

I think most people really like the idea of Winona Restoration's work toward cleaning up the blighted areas of town.

Who wouldn't?

I think most of them welcome new streets and sidewalks and other infrastructure improvements.

But it's that change in character that bugs others.

Not most, but some people just don't want thousands of people traveling to their town in the summer.

They're afraid of the potential for the town to become a bit of a tourist trap.

Well, unfortunately, I don't think Winona Lake residents can have it both ways.

I don't think, with the current tax base there, it would be possible to do all the renovation projects without the development.

Lots of real estate that previously was tax-exempt is now on the tax rolls and is already generating more income for the town.

When that real estate is developed, the tax revenue will increase significantly.

That's what pays the bills. That's what makes the project worthwhile for developers.

Another issue raised early in the development was the potential for conflict of interest because Wilcoxson serves as town council president.

Wilcoxson and I have had several conversations about this.

I have never thought that Wilcoxson has abused the public trust or misused public funds. I don't believe that he has done anything illegal whatsoever.

But as I told him, I just think it looks bad. And other people in Winona Lake think it looks bad, too.

I have heard no one complain about the improvements. The complaints seem to revolve around the process - the way Wilcoxson has gone about it.

At a meeting in Winona Grace Brethren Church concerning the alcohol issue, Wilcoxson told several people, including reporters from this newspaper, that the alcohol decision ultimately rests with him.

No argument about that. How many times do the townsfolk get to tell the developer what to do?

So for as long as the development proceeds, there probably will be some residents who resist.

I guess, in Winona Lake, that's the price to be paid for progress. [[In-content Ad]]