|
Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 9, 2013 16:38:34 GMT -6
Now that there are companies that provide services, it wouldn't be easy or make much sense to pursue changing them. There will be a new utility coming though. I think now would be the only chance of having any type of municipal utility and it could have many benefits over being privately owned. Just my opinions from just a little research. bbcmag.com/chicago/index.html I don't know who would make a progressive leader. We'll have to wait to see who runs and what ideas they have to move Streator in a different direction.
|
|
|
Post by oldtimer on Sept 9, 2013 17:05:55 GMT -6
Now that there are companies that provide services, it wouldn't be easy or make much sense to pursue changing them. There will be a new utility coming though. I think now would be the only chance of having any type of municipal utility and it could have many benefits over being privately owned. Just my opinions from just a little research. bbcmag.com/chicago/index.html I don't know who would make a progressive leader. We'll have to wait to see who runs and what ideas they have to move Streator in a different direction. But, you must have an idea of what the progressive leaders should possess? If not names then let us know what qualifications make up a progressive leader? You also mention moving streator in a different direction. Share your vision of the future of streator and what needs to be done to achieve what you deem as moving in the right direction.
|
|
|
Post by chevypower on Sept 10, 2013 0:03:03 GMT -6
Progressive was enough info........
|
|
|
Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 10, 2013 6:29:44 GMT -6
Progressive leaders would be open minded to new ideas, technologies and business models. Jobs and growth would be some of their highest priorities. They would only give out restrictions to businesses that are within our laws. They would look to the future of our community and invest in it.
The direction I would like to see Streator head is towards many more livable wage jobs, rising population, and appreciating property values. The first step to getting there is to get progressive leaders elected.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2013 6:58:02 GMT -6
Progressive leaders would be open minded to new ideas, technologies and business models. Jobs and growth would be some of their highest priorities. They would only give out restrictions to businesses that are within our laws. They would look to the future of our community and invest in it. The direction I would like to see Streator head is towards many more livable wage jobs, rising population, and appreciating property values. The first step to getting there is to get progressive leaders elected. I see people who drive to L/P,Ottawa,and Pontiac for 10 dollars an hour or less frequently.... I'm sure there are better jobs that they don't qualify for but it does seem to be a problem area wide...
|
|
|
Post by oldtimer on Sept 10, 2013 17:47:54 GMT -6
Progressive leaders would be open minded to new ideas, technologies and business models. Jobs and growth would be some of their highest priorities. They would only give out restrictions to businesses that are within our laws. They would look to the future of our community and invest in it. The direction I would like to see Streator head is towards many more livable wage jobs, rising population, and appreciating property values. The first step to getting there is to get progressive leaders elected. Jobs and growth are on the minds of those in Streator and communities everywhere. You say progressive leaders would only give out restrictions to businesses that are within our laws. well, our leaders now cannot restrict businesses outside of our laws. If they acted in any other way they could be sued or would be sued. Your progressive leaders idea thing is nice, but progressive leadership is what every town strives for. You say you want more livable wage jobs, rising population and appreciating property values. Take a number because that's what every town wants. You've said what you want, but how would these goals be achieved. I'd like to live in a million dollar home, but I can't just do it. I need a plan. Whatmis your plan, myself, to achieve your goals for Streator, knowing that your goals are primarily the goals of every community in the united states. I'll be interested in responses that are a little more in depth than just the bland responses you gave me.
|
|
|
Post by helencrump on Sept 10, 2013 18:54:09 GMT -6
Would you consider the job expo that was held earlier this year progressive?
Would you consider going to the existing businesses and ascertaining what could be done to retain, and possibly promote expansion progressive?
Would you consider utilizing a city property for income instead of drain, in assisting a local business in getting a large contract progressive?
I know that its been said we lost at least one business to another town, so apparently steps have been made to entice business here. I also read of the business that was looking at the tuscarora plant. The one that the neighborhood was unwelcoming to, and they decided not to locate here. so, I wonder how many other places they've been attempting to negotiate with, and we aren't aware of? Some might call that progressive.
|
|
|
Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 10, 2013 20:39:28 GMT -6
OT, If you think they can not give out restrictions that are outside of our laws, perhaps you can tell me what business activity that requires industrial zoning they most closely related Aquaponics to, or any other type of justification for their industrial zoning requirement. I've been asking for that for a long time. That decision does not seem progressive to me at all.
My plan to achieve the change I desire has been to get as many people as possible to see that we are heading in the wrong direction and need to make changes. Hopefully more will see the urgency to get out to register, inform themselves and vote.
Helen, those are all good things that you listed. We just need to be doing much more in my opinion.
I have attended a lot of council meetings and work sessions since 2007. Before I began asking them in 2010 to put more resources behind economic development I didn't hear much at all about it. I had seen their attitude towards it and businesses in general, and saw problems. After initiating and organizing a forum on the subject in 2011, I have been hearing it discussed a little more, but I have been absolutely convinced that we need change from the way things have been done.
I've felt that I would never convince our City leaders to change their attitude. I have generally accepted that my best bet to get the change I want is to try to get others talking about it as well. I really don't care where the ideas come from or who the leaders are as long as we are heading in a better direction.
Today's meeting was very inspiring to me. There seemed to of been a more open minded attitude than I have heard before, I think partly credited to a different perspective from the new council member. Hearing that they will consider laying hens and outside sales, and then the City Manager mentioning fiber optic infrastructure consideration, I felt like I was walking out of the wrong City Hall.
|
|
|
Post by chevypower on Sept 10, 2013 22:16:29 GMT -6
Goods things happen with the right attitude......Rome was not built in a day myself, wish you well and keep on that dream *it will come)
|
|
|
Post by helencrump on Sept 10, 2013 22:25:51 GMT -6
Sounds like they (council) discussed positive topics, instead of having to deal with repetative negativity. That mustve been refreshing to them.
I believe the city leaders have been trying to get industry here since before 2010. I know that we came close to getting a prison here many years ago, but the PEOPLE put a stop to it. Thats just one incident i can think of right now. I don't have time to list more at this time.
I think if you changed your tactics, you might find better results.
|
|
|
Post by ironeagle on Sept 11, 2013 5:50:32 GMT -6
The Prison that was Stopped was the now CLOSED Supermax prison that ended up at Tams.
|
|
|
Post by dog on Sept 11, 2013 6:19:37 GMT -6
The Prison that was Stopped was the now CLOSED Supermax prison that ended up at Tams. The Tamms prison was only one of I believe were 3 attempts to get a prison for Streator. The closing of the prison, leads into a point that Sniper brought up. Businesses will have a hard time opening or expanding in this state due more so to poor State governance, and less so as to what is occurring at a municipal level.
|
|
|
Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 11, 2013 6:23:21 GMT -6
I don't think Mr. Hart or Mr. Brozak see accepting laying hens as a positive topic, but after discussion, seemed to be somewhat open minded to considering it.
I haven't always gone to them with negativity.
I had a very positive attitude about hearing ideas from candidates to clean up our community, when they decided to control what topics could be discussed in City Park.
Since I wasn't even allowed to talk at the meeting where one of them glared at me as he confirmed that I was an illegal resident, I don't think it was a result of my negative attitude.
I had a very positive attitude about having a use for a vacant building that would create jobs and tax revenue.
My negative attitude came from the way that I was treated after I went to them several times with a positive attitude about making positive changes for our community.
Maybe they have been working more on economic development than I know, but the results of it have not been sufficient and there had been resistance expressed to doing more.
I certainly never expected them to go along with everything I say, but I always expect them to listen to citizens and consider what could be good for our community, regardless of who it comes from.
I do feel that perhaps they have realized now that change is needed.
They moved the public forum to the beginning of the meetings, instead of after their decisions have already been made, agreeing that it makes more sense. To me, that shows more of a willingness to listen.
|
|
|
Post by Kyle Mitchell on Sept 11, 2013 6:34:08 GMT -6
The Prison that was Stopped was the now CLOSED Supermax prison that ended up at Tams. The Tamms prison was only one of I believe were 3 attempts to get a prison for Streator. The closing of the prison, leads into a point that Sniper brought up. Businesses will have a hard time opening or expanding in this state due more so to poor State governance, and less so as to what is occurring at a municipal level. I agree that we have many problems at the state level, but think that we could be doing more locally. Our state's situation shouldn't be an excuse for us not doing everything that we can. I don't just complain about our city, I write to our state representatives as well, if I had time to go to Springfield to complain to them directly, I would.
|
|
|
Post by oldtimer on Sept 11, 2013 6:35:38 GMT -6
Myself, now I see where your bitterness comes from. You feel that you weren't heard by the city for an aquaponics company?
The city cannot stop business from coming here as long as everything is done by the book. Instead of continuing to be angry, channel your efforts to the positive. If you truly are concerned about streator and its growth that's the right thing to do. The wrong thing to do would be to continue what you're doing by coming on this message board and whining about every little thing. Its very unappealing and counter productive.
|
|