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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 23, 2013 8:24:18 GMT -6
www.mywebtimes.com/news/local/is-streator-inviting-to-small-business/article_6ca607a7-0ecc-5132-9440-b20fdca54b1d.htmlStreator has been criticized at times for not creating a welcoming-enough environment for small businesses.
The mayor believes that characterization is unfair.
While the city is in the process of making its first downtown strategic plan, its perceived friendliness toward new businesses remains a discussion point.
There’s no central point of contact for properties for sale or for lease, no database of available properties, no packet or website to answer frequently asked questions and no clearly defined point person to clarify city codes or fees, according to its critics.
Many of these critics have not taken the necessary first step, and that is to City Hall, said Mayor Jimmie Lansford.
“The problem is we never hear from any of these businesses until they are open,” he saidOther than me, who are these critics? I did take that first step and went to City Hall, but was given a bogus requirement that goes against our laws, yet the Mayor wants to say that it is unfair to criticize the job our city does? How about following our laws, wouldn't that be fair? I see that last statement as nothing but a lie.
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Post by dog on Dec 23, 2013 12:42:38 GMT -6
I agree that the city should be more proactive with databases and packages and better websites to be available to help prospective businesses. I had the opportunity to go to LP over the weekend, and view their downtown. By the praises you made of their approach to new business, I am surprised to see a lot more vacancies than we have here. I am surprised that they werent able to attract you and your partner to locate their with their friendly,pro-business attitude. When I was over there, I talked to my the husband of my wifes friend who had been on the city council a few years back. We were talking about you, and the zoning issue over here and he agreed with you about the mayor giving you a ridiculous zoning requirement. He said what the mayor did wrong was not give you the proper steps to follow. He said that is why procedures are in place with planning and zoneing boards, appeals process, etc. He should have waited for his point in the process. With that also being said, their was no official zoning requirement given to you by the city, no laws were not followed by the city, and for the life of him, he didnt understand why someone who already had a business in Streator, wouldnt know the proper procedure anyway. He also says that you are free to pursue your aquaponics, since there was no official request or procedure that was followed.
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Post by OutlawwithaSnipeSniper on Dec 23, 2013 15:15:18 GMT -6
This is all putting band-aids on the 12" gash through the Femoral artery that this State is.......
It is wonderful to say the city isn't inviting, until you realize the State sucks far worse.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 23, 2013 16:44:31 GMT -6
He said what the mayor did wrong was not give you the proper steps to follow. He said that is why procedures are in place with planning and zoneing boards, appeals process, etc. He should have waited for his point in the process. With that also being said, their was no official zoning requirement given to you by the city, no laws were not followed by the city, and for the life of him, he didnt understand why someone who already had a business in Streator, wouldnt know the proper procedure anyway. Really, going to planning and zoning is the proper procedure? Did you read the long article and see anything about P&Z mentioned? How about these lines: Prospective owners are encouraged by Lansford to come to City Hall before opening and set up an appointment with the city manager, engineer and mayor.
Officials will sit down with a prospective business owner, make them aware of city codes and answer any questions he or she may have, the mayor said.
They took a very long time to give me the answer to my one question and gave me no choice of appealing their decision, only an application for zoning change. I would be happy to meet with your friends so that I could explain to them(as I have on here before) that there was no need for me to go to Planning and Zoning to open a theatre in building that was a theatre before, or a retail store in a previous retail location. I could also explain that if they were to agree that greenhouses were the closest business activity, a trip to P&Z might not even had been required. What business activity do you think they more closely related it to that requires industrial zoning?
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Post by dog on Dec 23, 2013 17:05:23 GMT -6
I would be happy to meet with your friends so that I could explain to them(as I have on here before) that there was no need for me to go to Planning and Zoning to open a theatre in building that was a theatre before, or a retail store in a previous retail location. I could also explain that if they were to agree that greenhouses were the closest business activity, a trip to P&Z might not even had been required. What business activity do you think they more closely related it to that requires industrial zoning? We discussed that too. He said when a particular use was not specifically listed, they erred on the side of being more restrictive until the process played out. Most of the time, in the course of the process, the city relaxed their stance and were less restrictive. He said that is why you have a specific procedure to follow. As soon as you wanted to start a business that wasn't specifically listed in the zoning map, you should have been directed to the planning and zoning board. He also said that even if you aren't moving forward on the aquaponics issue, since the topic seems to be a hot issue, the city should proceed to actually put aquaponics in their zoning, to avoid this issue next time.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 23, 2013 17:49:32 GMT -6
and for the life of him, he didnt understand why someone who already had a business in Streator, wouldnt know the proper procedure anyway. He said that is why you have a specific procedure to follow. As soon as you wanted to start a business that wasn't specifically listed in the zoning map, you should have been directed to the planning and zoning board. So which was it? Could he not figure out why I didn't already know to go to Planing & Zoning from my previous business dealings or did he recognize that this was a different situation and I should have been able to rely on City Hall to provide the proper information? Either way, it sounds like we all agree that it was not inviting to small business to not provide the proper information? After giving out bogus information, to now claim that those criticizing what they do, did not go to City Hall is just wrong.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 24, 2013 8:00:16 GMT -6
I feel bad for our poor Mayor. He feels it is unfair that people talk about the way our elected officials handle small businesses.
When they publicly declare small business owners illegal when they are not, not even allowing them due process to defend themselves, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it?
When they give out in writing, an illegal requirement that stops a business, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it?
When they push laws on others that they will not follow for their own properties, doesn't he expect that people might talk?
If elected officials are going to take the attitude that it is unfair of citizens to talk about what they do, maybe they shouldn't be elected officials.
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Post by dog on Dec 24, 2013 8:41:41 GMT -6
I feel bad for our poor Mayor. He feels it is unfair that people talk about the way our elected officials handle small businesses. When they publicly declare small business owners illegal when they are not, not even allowing them due process to defend themselves, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they give out in writing, an illegal requirement that stops a business, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they push laws on others that they will not follow for their own properties, doesn't he expect that people might talk? If elected officials are going to take the attitude that it is unfair of citizens to talk about what they do, maybe they shouldn't be elected officials. Yes Kyle, you are being unfair with your constant ranting and "talking about it". They are trying to turn things around but you constantly keep harping about their attempts. You have already said you really don't care what this current council does and the only change you think would work would be their replacement in the next election. Your goal is to be a thorn in their side until the next election. I don't think you really care about fixing the problems until the next mayor and council are elected. We have told you that they gave you no legal or illegal restriction, you ignore us. They try to come up with a plan, and you pick it apart. You bring up things that other towns do, but when we bring up other towns, you say you don't care what other towns do or what happens in other towns, when we present an argument. Life is really too short to worry about this as much as you do. Sniper was correct that all we are talking about are small and will have little effect on the real problem with business locating in Streator., which is its location in the State of Illinois and the economy. Just as he gets sucked back into the political forum, I get sucked back into this conversation by the nonsense you post on here. Merry Christmas Kyle.
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Post by mommytoo4 on Dec 24, 2013 10:24:56 GMT -6
I feel bad for our poor Mayor. He feels it is unfair that people talk about the way our elected officials handle small businesses. When they publicly declare small business owners illegal when they are not, not even allowing them due process to defend themselves, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they give out in writing, an illegal requirement that stops a business, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they push laws on others that they will not follow for their own properties, doesn't he expect that people might talk? If elected officials are going to take the attitude that it is unfair of citizens to talk about what they do, maybe they shouldn't be elected officials. Yes Kyle, you are being unfair with your constant ranting and "talking about it". They are trying to turn things around but you constantly keep harping about their attempts. You have already said you really don't care what this current council does and the only change you think would work would be their replacement in the next election. Your goal is to be a thorn in their side until the next election. I don't think you really care about fixing the problems until the next mayor and council are elected. We have told you that they gave you no legal or illegal restriction, you ignore us. They try to come up with a plan, and you pick it apart. You bring up things that other towns do, but when we bring up other towns, you say you don't care what other towns do or what happens in other towns, when we present an argument. Life is really too short to worry about this as much as you do. Sniper was correct that all we are talking about are small and will have little effect on the real problem with business locating in Streator., which is its location in the State of Illinois and the economy. Just as he gets sucked back into the political forum, I get sucked back into this conversation by the nonsense you post on here. Merry Christmas Kyle. You got sucked back in because you are a mature adult who tries to rationalize with him. As you sat down this morning and typed out a well thought out mature response he will just copy and paste the same rhetoric he consistently spews. He is an angry man child who didn't get what he wanted so no matter what the city does he will not be happy. Have a Merry Christmas everyone and you Kyle should be able to also enjoy tonight considering you won't have to sit and wait for any drunks to urinate in the street.
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Post by dumdave on Dec 24, 2013 11:31:39 GMT -6
The Times article pointed out that both Ottawa and Pontiac go out of their way to provide information and FAQ sheets to encourage potential economic growth. I was surprised that Streator is so far behind them. Read the article by Derek Barichello.
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Post by dog on Dec 24, 2013 15:07:18 GMT -6
The Times article pointed out that both Ottawa and Pontiac go out of their way to provide information and FAQ sheets to encourage potential economic growth. I was surprised that Streator is so far behind them. Read the article by Derek Barichello. I read the article and it was very informative. He has written a few articles recently that were very good , in my opinion. I would venture a guess that Kyle has been bending Mr. Barichello's ear to investigate the happenings of Streator Development and other issues. Mr. Barichello does a good job of putting the information out there for the public to see, without all the melodramatics that Kyle brings into the mix. This seems like a more sensible approach to dealing with the issues Streator has. Kudos to Mr. Barichello for writing these articles and kudos to you, Kyle if you were the one to get him involved.
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Post by father of two on Dec 24, 2013 18:01:51 GMT -6
It's the constant bashing of the council that has me worried. These are good reputable men being called corrupt and liars by Kyle. I truly hope Kyle has the courage to put his name on the ballot next election. His constant berating of these men and the insults he throws at them has convinced me at this time to not run for City Council next election. Those that can, do, those that can't, complain.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 24, 2013 18:04:42 GMT -6
I feel bad for our poor Mayor. He feels it is unfair that people talk about the way our elected officials handle small businesses. When they publicly declare small business owners illegal when they are not, not even allowing them due process to defend themselves, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they give out in writing, an illegal requirement that stops a business, he doesn't expect people to be upset and talk about it? When they push laws on others that they will not follow for their own properties, doesn't he expect that people might talk? If elected officials are going to take the attitude that it is unfair of citizens to talk about what they do, maybe they shouldn't be elected officials. Yes Kyle, you are being unfair with your constant ranting and "talking about it". They are trying to turn things around but you constantly keep harping about their attempts. You have already said you really don't care what this current council does and the only change you think would work would be their replacement in the next election. Your goal is to be a thorn in their side until the next election. I don't think you really care about fixing the problems until the next mayor and council are elected. We have told you that they gave you no legal or illegal restriction, you ignore us. They try to come up with a plan, and you pick it apart. You bring up things that other towns do, but when we bring up other towns, you say you don't care what other towns do or what happens in other towns, when we present an argument. Life is really too short to worry about this as much as you do. Sniper was correct that all we are talking about are small and will have little effect on the real problem with business locating in Streator., which is its location in the State of Illinois and the economy. Just as he gets sucked back into the political forum, I get sucked back into this conversation by the nonsense you post on here. Merry Christmas Kyle. I might stop harping, if they do things differently. I've been asking them to change things here for years and years, but do not see the problems being corrected. So yes, I have pretty much given up on most of them and see real change being about 16 months away, but I continue to watch and have commended them for the good things I've seen them do as well. You told me that they gave no legal or illegal restriction, but who are you? Are you a city official or anyone in a position of authority? I have a letter on City letterhead, signed by the Mayor that says industrial zoning is required. Unless you or anyone can show me how that requirement is within our laws, I will continue to consider it an illegal requirement. I thought this plan was supposed to be one that included citizen input. Is it just their plan being drafted now, or is it still my place to voice my opinions of what I want and don't want for our community? I agree that our state has problems too, but that doesn't mean that the local problems should not be addressed. You are right life is too short. Why are you spending so much time worrying about my worrying about the deterioration of our community? I spend so much time worrying about it because I feel strongly that the continually decreasing population and property values here will keep really hurting a community that I care about, if there is not change. However, I am just one insignificant person here voicing one opinion. Why is my opinion even worth your worry? Merry Christmas to you as well.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Dec 24, 2013 18:08:34 GMT -6
It's the constant bashing of the council that has me worried. These are good reputable men being called corrupt and liars by Kyle. I truly hope Kyle has the courage to put his name on the ballot next election. His constant berating of these men and the insults he throws at them has convinced me at this time to not run for City Council next election. Those that can, do, those that can't, complain. I'm just talking about what they do, if they aren't proud of it, maybe they should do things differently.
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Post by dog on Dec 24, 2013 18:38:29 GMT -6
I have a letter on City letterhead, signed by the Mayor that says industrial zoning is required. And you have been asked repeatedly to post a copy of the letter on this site. You had no problem posting the commendation or whatever it was you received in AZ on here, what is the problem with posting it? If you already posted it, I must have missed it and apologize.
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