Wishes dance instructor was a local person

What happened to staying local? I thought the Sauk Valley community stressed using local businesses. I thought we mentored our graduates to be loyal and stay within the community.

You can imagine my surprise when I received my brochure and saw Sauk Valley Community College hired an out-of-town ballroom dance instructor. Why, when for 25 years the local dance instructors have been teaching there, and now we go to DeWitt, Iowa, to meet the need?

Maybe I sound like sour grapes because I take dance classes from the Julie Dale Center and love it. Maybe I sound like sour grapes because the Woodlawn Arts Academy is trying hard to make it. Maybe I sound like sour grapes because at least five other local dance studios struggle for students. Why bring in an outsider to add to the competition? It just doesn't make sense to me.

Maybe I am just frustrated since I work for two local restaurants and watch them struggle. It is hard enough to make a buck honestly with support, much less watch buyers go out of town to shop, eat and educate – especially since we have the same resources right here.

Christmas is coming, and again we will see the chamber push local shopping. The question is, “Why should the residents shop local when the big guys don't?”

I have written a book called “Simplified $ales,” and the community has been extremely supportive. I couldn't have made it without its support and signings. And now I want to give back. Please support the Sauk Valley stores, the local businesses and Sauk Valley Community College.

Just saying, What happened to staying local?