Planning;
Accountability;
Accomplishment.
These are key in any successful enterprise whether a business, health network, school district, community college, park district, or municipality.
These characteristics already exist in our employers here in Freeport: our private employers, the FHN, District 145, Highland Community College and our Park District.
But what of our city government?
In his recent town hall presentation, our Mayor “touts” (Journal-Standard headline) that his salary was paid for by some of these premier employers—not by taxes but by other extractions.
Dear Citizens, some of these employers pay taxes, but all employ Freeport residents who pay taxes. All employers and residents give generously to civic organizations who serve those less fortunate in our community. Why must our key employers pay more to this Administration when they are already paying and doing so much?
In his presentation, the Mayor was equally proud to say that his Administration told developers, wishing to do projects in Freeport, how much money they could make. Fellow Citizens, these are private enterprises that might create business opportunities for local taxpaying Freeport companies that employ taxpayers to our community.
Is this Mayor really convinced that development firms will continue to invest in our city if his government places limits on their profits? Can he thus proclaim that Freeport is friendly towards business?
During his presentation to the Senior Citizens Center this past Thursday afternoon, the Mayor also took an offhanded shot at the County Board Chairman—a volunteer who is paid merely a tenth of the Mayor’s own salary.
Citizens, it is evident that this Administration has an adversarial relationship with our County. Say what we might about the Chairman and other volunteers on the County Board: Does this attitude bode well for economic development for our region?
We believe that our City Administration proposes to continue to “do their own thing” apart from any financial oversight or positive collaboration with the business community and the County Leadership.
Dear Citizens, if we continue to bleed our employers, drive away potential business investors and ignore opportunities to collaborate with Stephenson County, what will be the result?
Perhaps this is why 51% of respondents to the Chamber of Commerce’s questionnaire favored moving Freeport to a Managerial Form of Municipal Government.
Now, we are at the crux of this issue, and it is time to transform our city government and bring it into Prime Time with other professionally run enterprises in our community and 83% of the top performing municipalities in the United States.
It is time for a change. It is time to vote YES to adopt a Managerial Form of Municipal Government in Freeport.
“Where there is no vision, the people will perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
Accountability;
Accomplishment.
These are key in any successful enterprise whether a business, health network, school district, community college, park district, or municipality.
These characteristics already exist in our employers here in Freeport: our private employers, the FHN, District 145, Highland Community College and our Park District.
But what of our city government?
In his recent town hall presentation, our Mayor “touts” (Journal-Standard headline) that his salary was paid for by some of these premier employers—not by taxes but by other extractions.
Dear Citizens, some of these employers pay taxes, but all employ Freeport residents who pay taxes. All employers and residents give generously to civic organizations who serve those less fortunate in our community. Why must our key employers pay more to this Administration when they are already paying and doing so much?
In his presentation, the Mayor was equally proud to say that his Administration told developers, wishing to do projects in Freeport, how much money they could make. Fellow Citizens, these are private enterprises that might create business opportunities for local taxpaying Freeport companies that employ taxpayers to our community.
Is this Mayor really convinced that development firms will continue to invest in our city if his government places limits on their profits? Can he thus proclaim that Freeport is friendly towards business?
During his presentation to the Senior Citizens Center this past Thursday afternoon, the Mayor also took an offhanded shot at the County Board Chairman—a volunteer who is paid merely a tenth of the Mayor’s own salary.
Citizens, it is evident that this Administration has an adversarial relationship with our County. Say what we might about the Chairman and other volunteers on the County Board: Does this attitude bode well for economic development for our region?
We believe that our City Administration proposes to continue to “do their own thing” apart from any financial oversight or positive collaboration with the business community and the County Leadership.
Dear Citizens, if we continue to bleed our employers, drive away potential business investors and ignore opportunities to collaborate with Stephenson County, what will be the result?
Perhaps this is why 51% of respondents to the Chamber of Commerce’s questionnaire favored moving Freeport to a Managerial Form of Municipal Government.
Now, we are at the crux of this issue, and it is time to transform our city government and bring it into Prime Time with other professionally run enterprises in our community and 83% of the top performing municipalities in the United States.
It is time for a change. It is time to vote YES to adopt a Managerial Form of Municipal Government in Freeport.
“Where there is no vision, the people will perish.” Proverbs 29:18 (KJV)
No comments:
Post a Comment