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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 9:05:46 GMT -6
I bet the gaming is just seen as another stream of revenue. The gaming is available to those with a liquor license. If they are in the red, it's an option to try to bring it into the black. (That's just my best guess) I am no great fan of the machines. I just kind of ignore them. If you don't like them, don't play them. I guess I feel that way about lots of things. If you like it, do it. If you don't, then don't, but don't rain on everyone else's parade. Don't be one of those people saying 'I hate roller skating, I don't know why we have 5 skating rinks in town, I hate roller skating.' I could care less about the gambling as well. It's not for me but doesn't bother me if others want it and it generates tax revenue. The problem that I see with it is that they are going after others' revenue to try to increase their own. Also, I think there is a reason that it was only intended to be in establishments for adults. Many people don't want their children with young impressionable minds to have a chance to be influenced by the activities. It doesn't seem like it promotes the family type of environment that I would like to see our City to present.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 9:07:24 GMT -6
more vandalism at city park was reported in the police beat Damage to the stage area at Streator City Park was reported Thursday. Yes, I see the pavillion being used more as a skate/bicycle park than anything else. However, when young local artists set up and practice their music there, they are run off. When they go to City Hall to try to set up an actual concert to entertain their family, friends, and neighbors, their requests are just ignored. Before leaving on a national tour with the well known band, Nonpoint, these local artists were posting about the repression of their music from their City leaders. It appears that our City has been using their typical ignoring requests from the public to censor what type of music is allowed to be played there. Although these local artists are paying for the pavilion too, it appears they are not even allowed to use it.
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Post by father of two on Apr 20, 2015 9:48:08 GMT -6
The greens that were ruined were done by a private contractor who covered the cost of repair.
If gaming machines are intended, as you say, to be in places with adults, why do restaurants have them?
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Post by greekgod on Apr 20, 2015 17:59:05 GMT -6
Bigdipper,
What did you ever learn from a failed business owner?
IMHO, I always looked toward the winners rather than the whiners.
g
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Post by kibby61364 on Apr 20, 2015 18:07:41 GMT -6
dont think its worth it most of the crime isn't happening downtown an thats were the cameras would be that would be more for people running lights an getting the picture fine like u do in the city !! not slowing down crime if anything the crime would just move to small neighborhood's were cameras aren't an people are wich makes it worse
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Post by greekgod on Apr 20, 2015 18:40:59 GMT -6
dont think its worth it most of the crime isn't happening downtown an thats were the cameras would be that would be more for people running lights an getting the picture fine like u do in the city !! not slowing down crime if anything the crime would just move to small neighborhood's were cameras aren't an people are wich makes it worse I prefer the Neighborhood Watch Program! IMHO, Kyle is only concerned about his little corner. North of Main and West of Vermillion. IMO, I also believe Kyle has the opinion that if it's good for Kyle, it must be good for Sreator. I don't believe that. I believe that if it's good for Streator, it will be good for Kyle. g P.S. I will not take Kyle's "bait".
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 22:44:35 GMT -6
The greens that were ruined were done by a private contractor who covered the cost of repair. If gaming machines are intended, as you say, to be in places with adults, why do restaurants have them? I was at council meetings when it happened and didn't remember the cost being covered by a private contractor. Did they also cover the excess losses due to the loss of play, or did taxpayers just pay out even more for the golf course that year? My point is that taxpayers being forced to absorb any and all losses, including those that would force private companies out of business, gives the City an unfair advantage in their competition. No matter how big the City's business losses, failing will never be an option because taxpayers will always just be forced to keep paying more. That certainly is an advantage that private companies do not have. Do restaurants have gaming machines in family dining areas, or are they just in the bar areas where only adults are intended to be? Are you trying to imply that gambling was intended by our legislators to be some type of family activity?
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 22:52:20 GMT -6
You don't think a Golf Course would fall under the general department of Parks and Recreation? Pools and Water Parks charge money for admission and some Municipalities own them. Comparing Parks and Golf Courses are just an example of closing a public service that costs Tax Payers money. The Golf Course has a SHOT at generating money, parks will cost money regardless. Some things are just intangible, it's something that makes the Community better, whether you personally enjoy it or not. It makes it a better place to live and more attractive to settle in. We need all of that we can get......IMHO. I think that comparing public parks to a golf course business is like comparing apples to oranges. Considering that after many years of their trying to make it profitable, it is still a money losing business costing taxpayers each year and is competing directly with two other courses, and that interest in golf nationally is declining along with our local population, I think that some could consider whether or not it makes our community better a very debatable statement. Considering the negative circumstances of Anderson Fields, do you feel that community discussion of other options there is a bad thing? If we had other recreation options there not offered now, wouldn't we have more things to make our community better and help preserve the privately invested courses? Don't we need all we can get?
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 22:53:52 GMT -6
Bigdipper, What did you ever learn from a failed business owner? IMHO, I always looked toward the winners rather than the whiners. g Gee greek, you really seem to be concerned about what someone might learn from me. Who did you learn from that Flagstaff is one of the snowiest cities in the country? Do you want me to teach you about the difference between reasonable snow removal legislation and the City of Streator's anti-business ordinance? Bar violence has won out over family entertainment and other business in Streator. The bar owners are the winners. It doesn't surprise me that you look toward them. However, you do realize that I am not whining, just talking about what happens here, don't you?
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 20, 2015 22:55:50 GMT -6
dont think its worth it most of the crime isn't happening downtown an thats were the cameras would be that would be more for people running lights an getting the picture fine like u do in the city !! not slowing down crime if anything the crime would just move to small neighborhood's were cameras aren't an people are wich makes it worse I prefer the Neighborhood Watch Program! IMHO, Kyle is only concerned about his little corner. North of Main and West of Vermillion. IMO, I also believe Kyle has the opinion that if it's good for Kyle, it must be good for Sreator. I don't believe that. I believe that if it's good for Streator, it will be good for Kyle. g P.S. I will not take Kyle's "bait". Gee greek, why do you keep talking to others about me instead of just saying it to me? You really shouldn't be so afraid to talk to me. I understand that you just can't answer my questions; that might require you to do more than pretend that you know what you are talking about and you'd probably just end up making yourself and our City leaders just look worse. Gee, why would you be so concerned about my insignificant opinions? You believe what you want to, but it is my opinion that I have the right to just keep talking about what I want for our community, regardless of what you believe. I stand behind what I say. That makes it so that I don't have to hide from any bait.
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Post by father of two on Apr 21, 2015 6:38:08 GMT -6
What would you suggest the city do with the property that wouldn't compete with other private companies? What would the cost be to turn the course into something different? What would the cost be to build something different? What would be the return on the investment? How long would it take before the city started to turn a profit?
Lots of restaurants have areas that are kid accessible and some don't have bar areas. That's why they rope the areas off.
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Post by Kyle Mitchell on Apr 21, 2015 7:31:35 GMT -6
What would you suggest the city do with the property that wouldn't compete with other private companies? What would the cost be to turn the course into something different? What would the cost be to build something different? What would be the return on the investment? How long would it take before the city started to turn a profit? Lots of restaurants have areas that are kid accessible and some don't have bar areas. That's why they rope the areas off.Gee, didn't you just make my point? They rope them off because it was not intended to be an activity for children to be around. By bringing alcohol and gambling to the golf course, I believe they are making it a place not intended for families. You raise a lot of interesting questions that could have many answers. Watch out though, others seem to get upset and vindictive about people discussing other options for that property. Some even claim that we should close down all the parks if that property can't continue to be a burden on taxpayers as a failing golf business in an over saturated declining market.
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Post by willy on Apr 21, 2015 7:50:23 GMT -6
If the City were to assign a cost to maintain each of the parks to a line item, and a revenue per line item as is done for Anderson Fields, maybe you would better understand my comparison. At no time did I suggest closing the parks, I simply asked ironeagle if he would. For an intelligent person, you really do lack reading skills.
I only respond when I have something new to offer to the conversation, that way I don't sound like a broken record.
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Post by ironeagle on Apr 21, 2015 8:28:12 GMT -6
Everyone that has Lived in Streator for more than 20 years has Known that Anderson Fields has been a Money Loser. IIRC the City used part of a Grant they got for the James Street Area that was supposed to go for it to build that shiny new CLUBHOUSE out there and one hell of a Stink was raised then. People of this town are getting TIRED of a MINORITY of people and the GOLFERS in this town are in that group getting to keep that Precious Course regardless of how much it costs this City to Run. We have been fed this line of BULLCCRAP that it can only be a Golf Course it could be something else as long as it is RECREATIONAL in nature. It is just the City Fathers have a course they can play anytime they want Screw what it loses Get Blitzed in the Clubhouse and we all know the SPD is not going to make a DUI arrest in this town anymore. Heaven help this City if some Golfer after playing at Anderson gets Lit at the City Run Clubhouse and kills someone while Drunk the CITY OF STREATOR IS NOT GOING TO HAVE DEEP ENOUGH POCKETS FOR THAT LAWSUIT. In IL there is no CIVIL IMMUNITY Willy Did they Consider that before they started Serving Booze at the Clubhouse.
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Post by willy on Apr 21, 2015 8:41:08 GMT -6
First of all ironeagle, the city did not receive a grant to build the clubhouse. Secondly, you refuse to look at facts because you don't care for golf We were the last golf course around here that offered beer to the golfers. All others do, but unlike the others, when it gets dark and the course closes, so does our clubhouse. It is not used as a tavern like the other courses. I don't believe you will find drunken golfers at Anderson Fields. But you get the budget and check the revenues for the course, I'm not going to do your homework for you. I'm not mixing apples with oranges like you wish to do. Anderson Fields has nothing to do with the number of DUI arrests in the city. Come out to the course and visit the clubhouse, you won't find any drunks.
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