DEAR EDITOR:
Bonfante Gardens current challenges aren’t because of one
person. That’s exactly what they are challenges, not woes,
struggles or failure (to use your words)!
DEAR EDITOR:
Bonfante Gardens current challenges aren’t because of one person. That’s exactly what they are challenges, not woes, struggles or failure (to use your words)! In the last several articles about park, it almost as you have built up the parks General Manager – Ed Hutton, as the local savior sent from Heaven to come in and make everything right. One person doesn’t make a successful business. I’m not faulting anyone else at Bonfante Gardens either. As a tourism industry veteran, I have never seen such a dedicated and hardworking group of employees. The best way to describe the operation at Bonfante Gardens is great teamwork, inspired and led by the parks founder himself.
Michael Bonfante’s dream of building a park where families (children, parents and grandparents) can spend the day having fun together is alive and well. If you’re trying to place blame on why the park is facing these challenges, it’s simple… it’s the economy. If you take a look at every theme park and tourist attraction in California, for the most part they all had a dismal year. I think the other Michael (Eisner) who also opened a theme park in the Spring of 2001 would tell you that even having a Mouse as a mascot hasn’t helped them reach their attendance projections in their new Southern California theme park.
Gilroy should be grateful it has visionaries like Michael Bonfante, who have a dream and give everything they have for the dream to become reality. The dream is alive and it will continue.
PAUL NAKAMOTO, San Jose
Submitted Dec. 31, via ed****@ga****.com
