Any first term for an elected official is a whole bunch of trial and error. People aren't as forgiving and complacent as they once were, especially while still riding the wake of bad decisions and laziness as a result of the previous administration. I'll never understand and neither does most of everyone I speak to, why some of the old baggage that contributed to the bad decision-making is being towed if not drug along for the ride of this newest administration. Why are they being listened to or being allowed to influence or advise any sort of direction the city is taking? Especially when it is so obvious what is at the very core that keeps driving these same old ideas forward, is self-preservation and relevance. I understand that TIFF money and grants have to be used for their intended purpose, but that purpose can fall under a large umbrella with a little imagination and a lot of discussion and consideration. Why does one single person get to have this kind of decision-making power or influence over an entire council. The absurd amount of money being spent on a Neon Park located in the old downtown area now called the district is like jumping up and down on the chest of a dead horse, a horse that has been beaten and stomped to death decades ago.
"Grants funds will also be used to create an electric experience in Granite City as the city’s ghost neon signs are brought back to life. A block of The District will be transformed into a new experience called “It’s Electric on Route 66” and will include replicas of Route 66 neon signs, a music band stand and EV charging stations. The project will be paid for with $425,000 in grant funds."
This is all too convenient and beneficial to a very small number of people and business owners of the city. And before anyone starts preaching the guidelines of TIFF monies and TIFF districts and the restrictions surrounding these areas, do not forget that at any given time these districts can be reconfigured, and the lines redrawn to accommodate particular needs and wants, so let's not even go there using that as an excuse.
I can roll with the whole Jobe route 66 vibe and that could have been turned into a fantastic idea that could have benefitted the (ENTIRE) city instead of one city block in the old downtown area and a few business owners. Route 66 is a long mother road that goes right past O'Brien's Automotive building. This area seems like the entrance to the city, right where the old IHOP was located, where now sits an empty lot. Why could this route 66 "experience" not have started there as a welcoming and inviting entrance to the city? $425,000 is a great deal of money to work with and for every last penny of this money, once again going to the same area that seems to be the main focus from a person or two with tunnel vision when it comes to investing and growth. I know we elect the council members to make these kinds of decisions for us, but when they keep making these same kinds of decisions never thinking outside of the box, the downtown area box, it's like the new administration isn't really that new after all. A few names have changed, but the same old influences are far too prevalent, and this being allowed to continue will not end favorable for the mayor at election time. The people elected him to bring about change and a huge part of this change was people expecting him to divide his time and efforts and funding and focus to the city as a whole to benefit (ALL) businesses big and small and all neighborhoods, from old to the newer ones. We needed a new vision, with new efforts and new focus and this mayor is being lead down an old path, perhaps it's a comfortable path of least resistance and familiarity and that isn't sitting well with many voters.
I’ll say this about your comments regarding the new mayor. If the “people” you’re talking to think he hasn’t done a good job on both ends of town, (let’s see how I can say this nicely), they’re fools.
Ok money has been spent in what some consider a dead downtown. New businesses down there aren’t complaining and neither are their patrons.
You mention grant funds. So you would rather see the city allow those funds to go to other communities. There are guidelines and the Schuler woman who gets those grants has done a great job of getting money.
So let’s talk about uptown and the suburbs. A newly remodeled K Mart building complete with a new parking lot layout that was very needed and used TIF funds according to meeting minutes. A new Ollies and still to come a better Dollar Store complex.
Improvements to the sewer system and dumping a treatment plan to avoid catastrophic pension debt. Last nights rain would have flooded several streets in town.
I’m not happy about the new splash pad but it fits the bill for young kids and families. Again grant money from the Schuler woman at work.
I mean people can complain about trash and water bills but I’m not sure I’ve heard too many other negatives.
I guess there may be someone with enough money to waste in running against this young man, after all people are buying electric cars. Parkinson will get at least one and maybe two more terms before anyone can pick up enogh votes to scare him.
Always appreciate your comments BeMac. You present them in a well thought out manner and it makes for good debate.Boy/Girl/Man/Woman
After all of that, I'll say this, opinionated is right in that Parkinson will get at least one and maybe two more terms before he gets run out. Good bad or indifferent he isn't going anywhere for a while so get used to it.BIDEN: "When I was Vice President, things were kinda bad during the pandemic.." I know I know, mean tweets.
I agree with many of the points you made and don't get me wrong, this is my fault for not clarifying in my post, I hope he doesn't go anywhere any time soon. I just didn't want my above post to turn into a chapter book, so I didn't include all of the positive changes he has brought about. He was elected and hit the ground running and hasn't slowed down yet and there is much to be said about that. I also admire his don't give a damn attitude when confronting and calling out gullible idiots that roam this earth without a trace of critical thinking skills or common sense.
It wouldn't matter how much time and in how many ways or if Jesus Christ himself would float down from the clouds to attempt to reason with or educate the town's people about pensions, pension debts, wastewater, wastewater treatment plants and their purpose and what it takes to maintain and run a facility like this and why this decision was made to hand off this problem and solve another while doing so. The bottom-line result is the only thing people see out of this deal is their bills increased, and that is all that matters to them.
The negotiating, then switching trash companies ended with the same result. With the reactions and complaints that are still being talked about today, I would rather he not negotiated a damn thing and allowed WM to double the monthly bills of these people and then, after the sticker shock, he could have begun negotiations and became a hero. You are spot on about the flood water issues that are finally being addressed after decades of neglect and previous administrations not giving a rat's ass if the homeowners in these problem areas were repeatedly flooded.
Paula, in my opinion is a hidden hero that just doesn't get near the recognition she deserves. This isn't to say the mayor doesn't appreciate her and her talent, but it is saying that the majority of people have no idea just how much of her efforts have a positive impact in the community. This takes me back to my original post. These grants and grant monies do not have to be locked into a certain area with one single purpose that is beneficial to a few people only, and those with any understanding of how this works, also knows that as I mentioned above you can work the system to fit your needs or to accomplish the results you want with a little imagination. We all just watched this happen not too long ago when the boundaries or lines were reconfigured to be able to use these types of funds to include the remodel or updates to the police and fire department. So, yes, it can be done. But it can't be done or won't be done as long as a large part of the decision-making is being done by a few with tunnel vision with a focus that is self serving. Why would alternative ideas be discussed or proposed if an all stop could be put on the possibility to protect your interests, by automatically claiming guidelines, rules, to put the kabash on any other ideas that do not benefit these said interests. When there may be someone whispering in the ear of the powers that be, that is older and has more experience in these types of particular situations and this whisperer has a long history with a couple members of the council, you can easily see how the main objective never veers off course and the old ideas and goals remain the same. I along with many want to see the mayor break this pattern and continue to move forward with fresh ideas, without the influences that were a part of the stalled and stagnant city he was elected to bring back to life.
The bottom-line result is the only thing people see out of this deal is their bills increased, and that is all that matters to them.
Again, all well said and we are in much agreement. This paragraph from your post sums it up. Most of the people in town, and I don't mean this as harshly as it sounds, are at best, high school graduates.
They really don't see the big picture. I looked at my water bill and sewer bill from last year and my most recent one. It did go up but not in the drastic proportions some are talking about.
My guess is when Il American took over, they collected on back unpaid bills. A family of four shouldn't use much more than the base gallon allotment. Obviously, the more water, the higher the bill and the higher the sewer/treatment bill.
We are all paying for the mistakes of the past administrations who allowed the sewers and treatment plant to fall in disrepair. Now, we have a one stop shop for payment, and it's run by managers, not politicians. They will pass the cost of repairs onto the customers.
If they keep three inches of water out of my basement, I'll dance a jig. Better to afford water than damage.
I do hear there's an old timer that may run against Parkinson. Can't wait to see that. LOL
Thanks for the respectful exchange again.Boy/Girl/Man/Woman
At least there has been one positive development that has actually went public in the last few days. Finally, it appears as if the Mill venue building is looking for a new manager to take over. Hopefully this position will be given to someone qualified that has no ties directly to the administration so the rumors and accusations will stop. I would like to see the city take over the alcohol sales and the insurance needed to do it, instead of handing those profits off to some lucky business owner. There is money to be made between bar sales and rentals to get a decent return on the investment made into the project but only if the city takes advantage of it.