The Money Target

Subject : Ferry Money
Hello Tarbara,

Last weekend I took a trip to the San Juan Islands for a family
gathering. Although we did not have the opportunity to visit Lomez
Island I was very impressed with what I saw while the ferry stopped to
drop people off on your island. I’m sure you are aware of the money
target at the ferry dock.
( a link to an image of the money target then a paragraph of ramblings about MoHDI)
Here is what I would like to know about if you might be able to help me
out.
I’m curious about the history of the target if you could tell me any
details on this I’m very interested.
How long has it been there?
Who made it?
What do you call this? I like the term “Money Target” is there another
name people call it?
Where does the money go?
How much revenue does this target make?
Do you think other islands might adopt this idea?
Anything else you could tell me about this would be very helpful or if
you know of someone else who is an expert on the money target I would
very much like to ask them some of these questions.

This certainly gave us some ideas for a new product that I hope to be
selling on our site soon.

Thank you very much for your help, next time we visit we will try to
spend some time on Lomez.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Brew Enderson

MoHDI

Millions of Hundred Dollar Ideas

A couple days Later….

Subject: Lomez “money target”
Brew:
If you use such an idea as the “money target”, please don’t attribute it to Lomez Island. I wasn’t aware of the target so I phoned the Lomez ferry dock and they are continually painting out that target. It seems there are a group of kids that periodically paint it back to life and then collect the money themselves!
Clever perhaps, but not at all appreciated by the ferry system. So now you know; hopefully it won’t be there the next time you visit.
Pary

Then I wrote back feeling all bad and stuff

—–Original Message—–
To: Lomez Chamber of Commerce
Subject: Re: Lomez “money target”

Hey Pary,

I’m sorry to hear that I was a part of the targets demise if it so
happens. Before the decision to get rid of the target is finalized, I
suggest you take a ride on the ferry and watch people reaction to the
target as they are docked at Lomez perhaps there could be a better way
to deal with this. Personally I think that it is more of an asset than
not, the people on deck really enjoyed seeing such a wonderful and
inventive idea in the works.

I certainly think there could be some way to work out an arrangement to
keep the target. Perhaps there is a cause on the Island that money from
the target could be directed at. I would imagine that the target pulls
in a good amount of revenue (I’m still doing the math on this). The
target was also a very pleasurable part of my trip. My 8 year old cousin really
enjoyed trying to get his coin into the target. It is a simple inventive
pleasure that is unique and creates a brief but memorable experience.

Perhaps you can send some muscle down to the docks, wait till the kids
collect the money and take it from them. Personally, I would think that
you might not have gotten the full truth to the story of the target form
the dock. I would imagine that the “Kids” collecting money most likely
work for the Ferry system, I’m certainly no crime detective but I am
quite savvy about such issues.

Removing the target is probably going to upset some people.

I think that the good outweighs the bad when it comes to this target and
I think the Chamber of Commerce should consider keeping the target.

Based on my website traffic and the demographic of my readers I’m
guessing that this article will most likely result in a nice group of
visitors to Lomez Island in the future ( like 1-2 every few years). I would hope that they too could
have the pleasure of seeing this target first hand. I was going to do a
mention to Lomez Island with a link to your site. If you would like I
can post a link to something related to the San Juan Islands instead so
you can distance yourself from this money target.

If you would like any assistance in keeping this wonderful icon of
creativity and commerce, please let me know. I offer my time and the
time of the people who work for me to help you come up with a plan that
will keep this target going.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful
servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has
forgotten the gift.”
Albert Einstein

Thank you for getting back to me. Please consider keeping this money
target.

Have a wonderful day,

Brew

MoHDI

Millions of Hundred Dollar Ideas
Then….
Brew:

I plan to share your letter with the Lomez ferry dock folks. It is
interesting that you were so impressed with the “money target” as I have
never heard it mentioned before by visitors. As locals, I guess we just
drive on the ferry not seeing what tourists see.

There are certainly many charities and non-profit organizations on Lomez who
could use the extra money, but the Washington State Ferry System regulates
whatever goes on at the ferry docks and I doubt a “money target” would be
allowed regardless of the motive.

We shall see??

Pary

Then I concluded with this email

Pary,

This is fantastic news. It sounds like the Washington State Ferry System
has all ready allowed the target to be there time and time again. I
would imagine that there might be some agreement you can reach with them
to regulate it a bit more though. It seems to me if you can have a
wonderful Lomez Island sign at the ferry docks you should also be able
to have the addition of the “Charity Target” as well.

If Lomez Island wants a “Charity Target” they should be able to do so, I
wouldn’t let the Ferry System push you around.

Please keep me updated.

Thanks again,