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Post by helencrump on Aug 7, 2015 1:17:40 GMT -6
You said on fb that although you won't be using your money to bid, that you will be there will someone else.
I find it ironic that since you have stated time and time and TIME AGAIN that this town can't support the businesses because of (in your words) overserving bars and ally pee-ers, that you would be encouraging anyone to sink THEIR money into it.
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Post by dog on Aug 7, 2015 6:15:09 GMT -6
So was I correct in my a$$umption? Did I interpret what the paper said and what you posted accurately? A$$ume away dog! You do really seem to enjoy it. Personally, because it tends to be less risky, I prefer to pose a$$umptive questions. Roman would probably refer to it as weasel wording it. Considering that the "news"paper didn't even mention the donated digital projection equipment or the new $500,000.00 online public donation campaign, what does that make you a$$ume? The GoFundMe page, as well as Katie's email and social media campaigns say among many other things, “To reopen a person will need to upgrade the electric service, and probably put in a sprinkler system.” When I attended the pre-auction showing this week, I saw no evidence of problems with the existing electric service. The only “electric” wires I saw hanging were from the removed surround speakers Katie opened the place for several concerts after the theatre had been boarded over for well over a decade and saw that I opened it in 2007 (and knew about it being inspected by the City then) without being required to put in sprinklers. What would make her even think that it even might be required to have sprinklers now? I know that she is friends with Mayor Lansford, she said that he was a friend of her father's and refers to him as “Doc” Lansford. Before she set her “take” from the generous people of Streator as high as half a million to “probably” include an expensive fire sprinkler system, would you a$$ume that the real estate professional would at least have checked with her friend “Doc” to see if these things would be required or not? Should we a$$ume our Mayor or anyone else at the City had told her that fire sprinklers would “probably” be required? I would ask or Mayor, but he doesn't like to answer my questions and typically doesn't, so I wouldn't bother wasting his time or mine. It is a very important consideration in the matter though not something that can be a$$umed, in my opinion. In order to put together any type of responsible offer, any interested party would need to know as soon as possible whether or not the City will require fire sprinklers or upgraded electric service for the Majestic. I called City Hall to find out, but did not receive a response yet. All this to avoid answering a simple question.
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Post by dog on Aug 7, 2015 8:11:04 GMT -6
What would make her even think that it even might be required to have sprinklers now? Maybe it is required by code, either city or state. Maybe the insurance company requires it. Maybe she just thinks it is a good idea to protect her customers in the event of a fire. Or maybe it is just a money grab on her part. I am not interested in buying it so I don't really care what her reason is.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 7, 2015 22:32:02 GMT -6
You said on fb that although you won't be using your money to bid, that you will be there will someone else. I find it ironic that since you have stated time and time and TIME AGAIN that this town can't support the businesses because of (in your words) overserving bars and ally pee-ers, that you would be encouraging anyone to sink THEIR money into it. Gee Helen, I keep talking about the "increasing" problems that do hurt business here, in hopes that our City leaders finally come up with some type of solution to them so that people don't have to board their buildings over considering them failed to walk away from their investments and obligations. I still do encourage other people to invest in our community because it is typically a good thing for all of us. Is there someone in particular that you are worried about? My boss is a big boy and can determine for himself what markets he wants to invest his money into. If he wants to pay me to gather information for him to try to make an informed decision on whether or not to invest in Streator, I am certainly going to do my job.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 7, 2015 22:32:30 GMT -6
A$$ume away dog! You do really seem to enjoy it. Personally, because it tends to be less risky, I prefer to pose a$$umptive questions. Roman would probably refer to it as weasel wording it. Considering that the "news"paper didn't even mention the donated digital projection equipment or the new $500,000.00 online public donation campaign, what does that make you a$$ume? The GoFundMe page, as well as Katie's email and social media campaigns say among many other things, “To reopen a person will need to upgrade the electric service, and probably put in a sprinkler system.” When I attended the pre-auction showing this week, I saw no evidence of problems with the existing electric service. The only “electric” wires I saw hanging were from the removed surround speakers Katie opened the place for several concerts after the theatre had been boarded over for well over a decade and saw that I opened it in 2007 (and knew about it being inspected by the City then) without being required to put in sprinklers. What would make her even think that it even might be required to have sprinklers now? I know that she is friends with Mayor Lansford, she said that he was a friend of her father's and refers to him as “Doc” Lansford. Before she set her “take” from the generous people of Streator as high as half a million to “probably” include an expensive fire sprinkler system, would you a$$ume that the real estate professional would at least have checked with her friend “Doc” to see if these things would be required or not? Should we a$$ume our Mayor or anyone else at the City had told her that fire sprinklers would “probably” be required? I would ask or Mayor, but he doesn't like to answer my questions and typically doesn't, so I wouldn't bother wasting his time or mine. It is a very important consideration in the matter though not something that can be a$$umed, in my opinion. In order to put together any type of responsible offer, any interested party would need to know as soon as possible whether or not the City will require fire sprinklers or upgraded electric service for the Majestic. I called City Hall to find out, but did not receive a response yet. All this to avoid answering a simple question. Answer a question? Why would I and why should I? You seem to really enjoy your a$$uming. I already answer a lot of questions, although I don't need to, while many here routinely avoid answering most questions. Our City leaders don't answer many questions, including very important ones required to have business here. Even when I do answer, you don't want to believe anything I say without seeing "prrof". A$$ume away dog.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 7, 2015 22:33:19 GMT -6
I am Director of Theatre Operations for an expanding theatre chain. We are looking for more locations and have been interested in the Majestic. We have experience opening stripped and water damaged theatres and have the resources to do it.
In trying to find out what the City of Streator would require to open the Majestic, I contacted the City Engineer, two Council Members and the Fire Chief. Councilman Phelan indicated that it was up to the Fire Chief, building inspector and City Manager. He indicated that he had already discussed it with the City administration and had given his opinion that sprinklers should not be required to open the theatre and his impression was that they would not. Councilwoman Bedei indicated that she had asked the City Manager to look into it and said, “ I completely want to understand making a fair offer based on the amount of work required.”
I called the Fire Chief who indicated that he hadn't even looked into the matter, but said that anything regarding the Fire code would be up to him to decide, that it would be based on square footage and that he would have to look at the code. He said that he would look into Monday morning and get back to me by Monday afternoon.
Shortly after talking to Fire Chief, the City Manager called me and said that the City Engineer and the Fire Chief had told him that I was inquiring about what the City would require. He started talking about the City's revolving loan fund, facade improvement grant program, and enterprise zone incentives. When I tried telling him that we were not looking for taxpayer assistance or donations to open the theatre because we have our own resources, he interrupted and kept rambling on. Eventually he said that the City was not willing to commit to what they would require until we had a deed in hand. When I asked him to put that in writing, he asked my why I was doing this to him\, said that I haven't even met him, and asked why I was dumping so much crap on him. Then he didn't want to let me talk, but I did keep on saying what I had to say until he hung up on me.
I don't understand how he thinks that my asking that he back up what he has to say in writing is doing anything to him. Shouldn't our City leaders be willing to stand behind what they say?
Why would they not commit to whether or not a building being reopened for the same use would require fire sprinklers until after it is purchased? Would there be different requirements based on who purchases it? Do they plan to just make up their requirements as they go along? Would it depend on fire codes or on whether or not they like what I have to say?
How do they expect to have companies invest in our community if they will not provide the requirements for them until after they purchase the property? That is ridiculous and could very well be why we have so little business in Streator and why our property values keep declining.
There should be one set of up front requirements for everyone to follow evenly, in my opinion. People talk about some Council Members changing, but I just keep seeing our City doing things the same way, so I will keep talking about it being wrong.
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Post by father of two on Aug 7, 2015 23:40:41 GMT -6
Maybe they don't take you serious anymore and view you as someone who just wants to start trouble with the city. It may be better to have your boss call and ask what requirements would be needed. You should have called the city manager first before calling the others.
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Post by antamaleen on Aug 8, 2015 2:58:09 GMT -6
Good advice. Have to play politics when you own a business.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 8, 2015 7:18:38 GMT -6
Maybe they don't take you serious anymore and view you as someone who just wants to start trouble with the city. It may be better to have your boss call and ask what requirements would be needed. You should have called the city manager first before calling the others. Start trouble with the City? Is that what you call it when citizens simply ask that they start enforcing our laws so that more people would be willing to come to the area to support a movie theatre? They were the ones who started trouble with me. I certainly didn't call them illegal before they so publicly and falsely declared my family illegal. There shouldn't be different responses to what the City would require to open a business depending on who calls to get the requirements. I had no attitude, was being polite and professional, only letting them know that we had interest and resources to open it and asking for their requirements. Why do you say we should have asked the City Manager first? Are you implying that I hurt his feelings by trying to ask the people who I believed were responsible for interpreting our codes to give the requirements, before him? Since our building inspector must not even know the codes considering that he was trying to fine me for not getting a permit for a four foot fence that does not require a permit, and the City Engineer who is also our Director of Community Development was the one who straightened it out, wouldn't he seem to be the best person to ask to try to get the correct information? Isn't our Fire Chief the one to determine what the requirements of the fire code are? Aren't these people paid more because they have the proper education to be able to determine these things? If instead of an educated correct response, we wanted a political answer like the one that we got, we would have gone to the City Manager of the Mayor, but that's not what we wanted. All we wanted was the correct requirement to be able to open a business here, which they refuse to supply. They are driving business away with their politics, instead of looking at our laws and doing what is right. That is why we have so few businesses here.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 8, 2015 7:21:27 GMT -6
I think FOT nailed it. If your employer has a serious interest, it might go better if they have someone else take point on the project until they can secure the property. Too many bridges burned. It would be nearly impossible for things to go smoothly after all the nasty things said. After saying all those things about the City, the leaders, the bars and patrons, why on Earth would you even THINK about a round 2? What have all the last 190 pages been about? Do you not really believe all those ugly things you said yourself? Was it all just sour grapes? Now all of a sudden it might be a viable business venture? I really hope someone gets it and somehow makes it go. I believe you have passion for the place Kyle. I would come watch shows there if you buy it. I think you have burned a lot of bridges though. There are some who would not. And the City....after all the ugly things you have said.....you think it would be easy? Yes maskedman, instead of looking at our laws and doing what is right, they do things based on whether or not they like the way people talk about them saying nasty things about others. It does seem that they do not respect the Constitution at all and charge people for their speech by stopping business with their politics. Yes, comparing attempts to start a business here to a fight is appropriate. My employer was the one wanting to take a serious look at the project. I was just doing the job he asked me to and I was also wanting to try again to see if things have changed. There may be some new faces at City Hall, but it appears that they are continuing to do things the same way. Their Good O' Boy politics is keeping business out and hurting our community in my opinion. Expect to keep hearing me talk about the changes that I want for our community and how ridiculous it is that our City refuses to give the requirements for a business until after the property is purchased.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 8, 2015 7:23:38 GMT -6
Good advice. Have to play politics when you own a business. I think people should be able to open business without having to play their politics, and business owners should be able to ask that laws be enforced without being attacked with their politics.
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Post by father of two on Aug 8, 2015 7:35:44 GMT -6
Yes Kyle once again you are involved in a business venture and are not going through the proper chain of command. How would it look if each person you asked gave a different answer? The City Manager is the CEO of the day to day operations of the community. If someone had a problem at the movie theater should they ask the usher, ticket seller, concession stand worker or the manager to get the correct response? And yes with the history between you and the city your boss should be the one making the inquiries. You should tell your boss that you think it would be best if he did so. All of the stuff you reply back with means nothing. This is a new venture but you come back with the same venom as always which shows that you should let your boss take the lead. Now respond back with the same old answers.
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Post by OutlawwithaSnipeSniper on Aug 8, 2015 7:47:21 GMT -6
In trying to find out what the City of Streator would require to open the Majestic, I contacted the City Engineer, two Council Members and the Fire Chief. Councilman Phelan indicated that it was up to the Fire Chief, building inspector and City Manager. He indicated that he had already discussed it with the City administration and had given his opinion that sprinklers should not be required to open the theatre and his impression was that they would not. Councilwoman Bedei indicated that she had asked the City Manager to look into it and said, “ I completely want to understand making a fair offer based on the amount of work required.” I called the Fire Chief who indicated that he hadn't even looked into the matter, but said that anything regarding the Fire code would be up to him to decide, that it would be based on square footage and that he would have to look at the code. He said that he would look into Monday morning and get back to me by Monday afternoon. If this really is what you were told, then there is indeed a problem. BOCA codes will have to be met, and there is very little that you can deviate from those, especially in public safety areas. This is the same crap they pulled on the poor guy out north. There is a reason for codes, and it is to protect the public from not only sleazy building owners, but also hillbilly officials.
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Post by antamaleen on Aug 8, 2015 14:59:02 GMT -6
Good advice. Have to play politics when you own a business. I think people should be able to open business without having to play their politics, and business owners should be able to ask that laws be enforced without being attacked with their politics. In a perfect society. You have already stated that Streator is not. With all the issues you have had in the past, is it not expected now? The only way to beat someone, is to beat them at their own game.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Aug 8, 2015 14:59:33 GMT -6
Yes Kyle once again you are involved in a business venture and are not going through the proper chain of command. How would it look if each person you asked gave a different answer? The City Manager is the CEO of the day to day operations of the community. If someone had a problem at the movie theater should they ask the usher, ticket seller, concession stand worker or the manager to get the correct response? And yes with the history between you and the city your boss should be the one making the inquiries. You should tell your boss that you think it would be best if he did so. All of the stuff you reply back with means nothing. This is a new venture but you come back with the same venom as always which shows that you should let your boss take the lead. Now respond back with the same old answers. OK FOT, if it is just that I am doing it wrong, will you please call the proper chain of command and find out if the City of Streators is going to require fire sprinklers to open the Majestic as a movie theatre again. Shouldn't it be the same requirement, one dictated by fire codes, for everyone? Shouldn't the requirements (particularly one so costly as fire sprinklers) to open a business be upfront and transparent so that prospective business owners know in advance, so that nobody gets Verned? You really don't think businesses will want to invest in our community without knowing in advance what the City will require, do you? Even greek knows that a prospective business owner needs to do that research in before making their investment into a community. If someone comes to the theatre concession stand and wants to know before spending their money on a large soda if they will be able to actually drink it, the employees paid and trained to do that should be able to provide them that information, even if they have to look that rule up in a handbook. If the employee can not figure it out or is not trained properly to answer that question, then the employee should refer the question to the manager. We do encourage our customers to enjoy what they spend their money on and try not to deter people from spending their money. We don't tell some people that they can enjoy their purchases and others that they can't. We are upfront and transparent about what we allow. We certainly don't make them purchase the soda first and then tell them that they have to buy an expensive straw to drink it. If you want to go ask the manager first if you will be able to dink the soda that you purchase, go ahead. If you have a question about which income tax form to file, do you call the President or the Secretary of Treasury? If you want to find out if an I-phone can do certain things do you contact Tim Cook? Come on FOT, please let me think that a school board member is smarter than that.
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