Posted by opinionated on February 7, 2011, 4:47 pm, in reply to "Re: Pontoon Beach..."
Speak, I don't know about PB but here in Granite those rumors usually start about election time. I think the day of merging Pontoon, Granite and Mitchell have long since passed.
I think thirty years ago it was a viable plan that would have benefitted everyone. Unfortunately political egos over the years has eroded any chance of doing what's good for the people.
TIF districts, in your case warehouses, in our case a theater are unfortunately a way of the world now. If you want development, you have to give developers breaks through taxes. Most of the time when the TIF expires, so does the business.
As for your mayor and village board I would suggest they all do what they believe is good for the community. I know from reading what Horseygirl (Kelly) writes on here, she cares. Are the results always good for everyone? NO! Do they try to do what's best for all concerned? I think so and would hope so. My alderman in Grantite told me that it's not an easy job but he does what he can to find good solutions. That's really all we can expect. They're just people.
Every election day we have the chance to make different choices yet all too often people don't vote. Is it then the fault of the incumbents that they get back in time and time again?
We're all getting frustrated with government. We want change and better service while we want our taxes cut. Is there fat than can be cut? My guess is yes. I've submitted ideas to my alderman who will be up for re-election in April. I want him to try to get those things accomplished.
I know a couple of the people running for your board and I hope they want to see change. Yet they have to be realistic enough to know "change" is merely a word politicians throw around. The Bible says, "Faith without works is dead". I think change without pain staking effort is nothing more than political hoo ha.