Another expert has informed Stocktonians they are an exceptionally negative bunch.

Roger Brooks, a Seattle tourism consultant, was hired to brainstorm a brand for Stockton. One that builds on the city's unique assets and draws tourists.

But Brooks also warned his "Celebrate!" brand - marketing Stockton as a festive city of events - won't fly if citizens continue to be the grimmest crew of pessimists he's ever seen.

Not grim, mind you. The grimmest. The bitterly braying Eeyores of the United States of America.

Sourpusses who have, I quote, "a dimmer view of their own city than do the dwellers of any of the hundreds of other places Brooks has advised."

Brooks could be dismissed. Ah, he's faulting residents for his unworkable plan. Consultants sell baloney, then hit I-5 with the money. Stockton? Tourists? Bah.

But he predicted we'd do just that.

I like Brooks' suggestions. OK, not the periwinkle police cars. But most of his ideas. They seem good city policy even if their purpose were not to attract tourists.

The city sank millions into various venues; Brooks says they ought to be used. Hoo, he's got you there, City Hall.

His report also says his plan won't work if downtown doesn't work.

That's where the stages and green spaces for events are, as well as the city's watery assets.

"First and foremost, downtowns must appeal to the locals," Brooks wrote. "Visitors are not attracted to downtowns where the local residents won't hang out."

Again, a downtown where people want to be is basic to the care and feeding of healthy cities. If it draws tourists who drop money there, all the better.

His prescription for achieving a popular core: "The best scenario is to attract urban dwellers who actually live right in the downtown." Works for me.

The cities you visit as a tourist are unique, fun, safe, well laid out. They are pedestrian friendly, full of people, energized. And you shop until you drop.

They are, in short, successful cities. We could steer a worse course.

The hardest part of Brooks' plan involves devising constant activities to enliven the city into a place people will drive to from afar.

City bureaucrats will find their 40 years' experience in squelching events and crushing people's dreams is not a good a run-up for this task. Do it anyway.

As for our alleged negativity, Stocktonians need not stretch out on Herr Freud's couch. Whether we are knee-jerk naysayers or have every right to be dissatisfied does not matter.

The outcome is the same: Running down the city - not with thoughtful criticism but unexamined negativity - undermines efforts to make it the Central Valley's events center. Or just a better city.

Contact columnist Michael Fitzgerald at (209) 546-8270 or michaelf@recordnet.com.

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